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.