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.]