IHHS PERSISTS IN ILLEGAL DEMOLITION

Neighbors,

My name is Raphael Sbarge. I am a part of a community of homes, 139 in total, just west of Western, north of Franklin, between St. Andrews, and Canyon. We have spent the last year trying to secure our neighborhood from destruction, and the dreaded "Home Depot" inspired multi-family unit, by applying for HPOZ (Historic Preservation Overlay Zone) status. We have signatures of over 85% of the homes; we have photographed and catalogued each and every home; we have a working history of the area (indeed many of the homes in this area were built between 1910-1925); we have a designated name "Hollywood Grove Historic District" (based on the orchards that existed originally in our area); we have money from the City, and a great deal of encouragement from our councilman, Tom LaBonge. Indeed, we are a passionate bunch of homeowners committed to saving this little area of Hollywood for generations to come, and many of these homes have unique and extraordinary details that make them profoundly worth saving.

In 1999, Immaculate Heart purchased a home at 1912 St. Andrews (right on the edge of our designated district), and has rented it up until this summer. We have been informed that they are moments away from tearing it down to expand a parking lot.

The tragedy of this is that not only will it adversely affect our efforts to preserve this area, but also we are inclined to think that they are doing this suddenly because they are aware of our efforts (Our HPOZ title is a protracted process, and will take many more months for it to be official).

We have gone on full alert as we believe that they might tear it down any moment, despite our entreaties for them not to. We have contacted our councilman, we are going before the city board, and we are reaching out to anyone who might be able to bring light to this sad possibility. We have a petition of many of the homeowners in the area. We have petitions of ALL the homeowners on the block, and still we are told that they are tearing it down. Their reason is that they say it is "beyond repair." We are going in the home on Saturday morning to inspect this claim, although as it has been lived in up until a few months ago, we all doubt this claim.

When we heard of Immaculate Heart's intentions to raze the house, a flurry of email communication started within the group. This was the first chance for the fledgling group to flex its collective muscle. A meeting was hastily called and a plan of action document was drafted to save the house from demolition.Time is of the essence for us, and we would so appreciate any light you might be able to shine on this story. It is a classic tale of a big institution using the wedge of "progress" to destroy the unique character of our historic neighborhood.

Most sincerely,
Raphael Sbarge
1969 Taft Ave.
Hollywood, ca.,
90068213-952-9165

NOTE: Since Mr. Sbarge wrote this letter, the house was inspected by a professional home inspector. And what are the results? Despite IHHS’s persistence in claiming this house is damaged beyond repair, the inspection report claims otherwise. In addition, the only damage to the house was done by the school itself! A copy of the inspector’s report is available.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO SAVE THIS HOUSE?
If this house is demolished under the false conditions stated by IHHS, then ANY house can be demolished by anyone using the same (or similar) excuses. It’s called a slippery slope. Today, it's the house at 1912 St. Andrews. Tomorrow, it could be: your address goes here.

Despite the fact that IHHS has other options to increase their parking, tearing down this beautiful craftsman is the easiest solution for them, and the cheapest. What IHHS is failing to realize is that the neighbors who are fighting to save this house have a strong foundation to stand on and if IHHS continues, the neighbors will (more than likely) sue. This will cost IHHS much more $$ in the long run.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!
If you want to preserve this home, stop the demolition and encourage the school to explore other options, contact Councilman Tom Labonge at 213-485-3337. And call Immaculate Heart’s president, Julie Anne McCormick at 323-461-3651. Tell them “Don’t demolish the house at 1912 St. Andrews for a parking structure!”

Groups that support the preservation of this home (or at least a hold on the demolition until other options can be reviewed) are:
Hollywood United Neighbor Council [HUNC]
Los Feliz Improvement Association [LFIA]
The Oaks Homeowners Association
Eastwood Coalition
Friends of the Hollywood Grove HPOZ
Friends of The Oaks ICO
Hollywoodians Encouraging Logical Planning [H.E.L.P.]

UPDATE 1912 St. Andrews: February 10 PLUM Meeting at HUNC

PLUM = Planning, Land Use & Management (a HUNC committee)

HUNC = Hollywood United Neighborhood Council

Due to great concern from residents on Saint Andrews Place, their good friends on neighboring streets, the incipient Hollywood Grove Historic HPOZ, the Eastwood Coalition, and H.E.L.P., HUNC’s PLUM committee placed this vital item on its agenda for last night. On more than one occasion, Immaculate Heart was urged to send a representative, but they chose to send no one – not even to listen to the community’s concerns.

As the PLUM Committee is advisory to the HUNC Board, the committee voted to recommend that the HUNC Board write a letter to Councilman La Bonge and Immaculate Heart urging that the house at 1912 St. Andrews Place remain intact as a single family dwelling. And, as the HUNC Board is advisory itself (with its power resting in its voice as one of public opinion) the residents are very glad to have this ally to help protect St. Andrews Place and the surrounding streets from this attempt at Zone Busting.

Immaculate Heart Refused
to Attend the Public Meeting

HUNC is an official part of the City. It is the place where everyone can attend, be heard, and listen to all opinions. There are many grassroots organizations that often hold their own meetings, but for this problem the PLUM Committee seemed to be the most convenient and timely venue for everyone.

Immaculate Heart is an establishment with many members. Even if IH could not have sent someone authorized to speak on its behalf, they could have at least had the courtesy to send someone to listen to the community’s concerns. Thus, it is proper to say IH refused to attend.

Immaculate Heart Proposes
A Closed Door Meeting
That Excludes The Public

Rather than attend a public meeting where all voices could be heard, IH has proposed a closed-door meeting between its Board and a few members of HUNC’s PLUM Committee, with no invitation to any other community members, including the residents of Saint Andrews Place.

IH has asked HUNC’s PLUM committee to submit its proposals for the IH Board of Directors to consider. Under The Oaks ICO, however, Immaculate Heart has a duty to advise the City of its plans. IH knows the neighborhood’s position as far back as 1999, when IH purchased 1912 St. Andrews; 100% of the residents signed a petition that said the property could only be used for a single-family home.

We should remember that IH’s former principal, Ruth Ann Murray, promised that the School would come to the community before it did anything that would affect the neighborhood. Yet, several months ago, when one neighbor suggested to IH that it meet with the neighbors, IH refused. And a couple months ago, one of IH’s contractors revealed to another neighbor that the School told him not to talk to any neighbors about IH’s plans.

We Hope HUNC Will Not Attend
a Closed-Door Meeting with IH

HUNC serves a useful purpose when it encourages communication between people, but accepting this invitation to a closed-door meeting would accomplish the opposite. It would condone private, closed-door meetings and perhaps worse, it would condone IH’s refusal to communicate with its neighbors on St. Andrews, thereby excluding those who will be the most adversely affected.

FEB 7 - Update on the Demo at 1912 St. Andrews

When the Eastwood Coalition (E.C.) spoke with Immaculate Heart on January 31, 2009 regarding the house located at 1912 St. Andrews, the School informed the E.C. that the house had been “condemned.” When the E.C. responded by saying we knew that was untrue, the School then said that house had been “vandalized.” Again, the E.C. knew that was also untrue. (Interestingly, that very night, one of the windows in the house was unlatched from the inside. A neighbor saw the unlatched window, took photos, and the called and faxed the School to come close the window.) A few days later, the School had another story — the house was slipping off its foundations.

On February 7th, Immaculate Heart held an open house at 1912 and many nearby residents, especially those active with the Historic Property Overlay Zones (HPOZ) accepted the School’s invitation to inspect the house inside and out - including the foundation. Among those in attendance were Susan Swan, President of HUNC (Hollywood United Neighborhood Council), and HUNC’s PLUM (Planning Land Use and Management) committee member, Dave Schlesinger. In addition, the open house was attended by neighbors from Hollywoodians Encouraging Logical Planning (H.E.L.P.) as well as the Eastwood Coalition. What did we discover?

• What little damage that exists at the property appears to have been caused by the School itself.

• There were no signs of transients inside. All the windows were intact (except where an a/c unit was extracted and boarded up) and there were no access points for vandals.

• The house is not slipping off its foundations. There is some minor settling, but this settling appears to be the result of the School’s removal of the sump pump from beneath the house, and without the sump pump moisture has accumulated, (which can cause uneven settling of the various pillars).
  

• We verified that the window which mysteriously opened after E.C’s conversation about alleged vandalism can only be unlatched from the inside.
  

• We also learned that thanks to its steep roof, there is ample space for a Master Bedroom Suite on the second floor.
  

As people were leaving, Immaculate Heart representatives expressed concerns of arson. (Huh? Arson?) But in truth, as long as the house is properly maintained (including a light or two being kept on) no transients would dare take residence, especially with an entire neighborhood watching the house like hawks. So why would the School worry about arson? Who would want to burn down this house? Ask yourself this question: Who would stand to gain the most?

Before the School bought this house in 1999, all the neighbors signed a Petition stating that they were absolutely opposed to any non R-1 use. Although the school has permitted the home to deteriorate, the inspection shows that it is livable and a prime candidate for remodeling thanks to its sound foundation and high pitched roof.

Immaculate Heart is now aware that many neighbors and neighborhood organizations are very concerned about this house, and are willing to fight in order to keep it. At this point, the neighbors sincerely hope that the School will either fix the house and rent it or sell it, or simply sell it as it is and let the new owners fix it up.

• The next update will discuss the Oaks Interim Control Ordinance which forbids a demolition of this house.

1912 St. Andrew Demo

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Today, the Gas Company came and removed the gas line leading to 1912 North Saint Andrews Place. The purpose of removing a gas line leading to a house is to prepare for demolition. Remodeling a house does not require the removal of the line. It should also be noted that an existing work order for the property does not state that a new line is to be installed.

Code Enforcement informs us that no demolition permit has been filed for the property. However, as the longer term residents know, Immaculate Heart has a history of demolishing property without obtaining permits.

What can we do?

Breaking an R-1 zoning law imperils everyone. All the properties on the 1900 block of St. Andrews will suffer a loss in property value if the school tears down the house without a permit. In addition, potential purchasers do not want to buy on a street when they know they cannot rely on the zoning. Thus, the homeowners on the 1900 block of St. Andrews could join together to file one lawsuit against Immaculate Heart seeking compensation for decreased property values.

Lawsuits, however, are time-consuming and aggravating. On the other hand, it would make any future violators think very seriously about illegal demolitions if the school acts illegally and the homeowners carry through with a law suit. Presently, people violate the law because they think they can get away with it.

First, Eastwood suggests a meeting of the affected people so that all residents may have their voices heard. We will try to arrange a meeting that is mutually convenient for as many residents as possible.

Posted by EastwoodCoalition at