City of los angeles general plan

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CITY OF LOS ANGELES CONSERVATION ELEMENT

Adopted September 2001

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The list of the designated sites is maintained by the CHC. It includes

historic buildings, corridors (tree lined streets) and geographic

areas. In some instances plaques have been erected on sites of historic

events or former structures that were of cultural or historic

significance. Sites are mapped on the city's zoning maps to guide

permit processing. The building department will not issue permits for

modification of a designated monument unless authorized to do so by the

CHC, which may impose conditions of permit approval.

Additional protections apply to structures or sites that are listed on

the state or national registers. The National Park Service administers

the National Register of Historic Places and the California Office of

Historic Preservation administers the state register. Criteria applied

to determine qualification for the registers includes context

(importance to an historic theme, place, time), integrity (location,

design, setting, workmanship, materials) and, if a recent resource,

exceptional importance.

The Community Redevelopment Agency maintains a list of buildings and

structures of historical significance for purposes of project planning

and evaluating neighborhood improvement proposals. 

Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZ). The HPOZ provision of the

zone code, Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) Section 12.20.3, was

adopted in 1979; amended 2001. It contains procedures for designation

and protection of areas that have structures, natural features or sites

of historic, architectural, cultural or aesthetic significance.

Fourteen areas of the city are classified as HPOZs and twelve other

areas are under study. HPOZ areas contain significant examples of

architectural styles characteristic of different periods in the city's

history. They may be a few blocks or a few square miles in area.

Property owners are encouraged to make property improvements that will

enhance the historic character of the HPOZ area. Neighbors often join

together to secure period street lights and other features that will

contribute to historic and cultural emphasis. Alleys may be converted

to park-like uses or street signs or circulation modified to support

the HPOZ area goals. Street fairs and other activities generate

community involvement and general public awareness of the unique area

and help raise funds for neighborhood and property improvement.

A consultant to the planning department prepared (1997) a general

survey of all pre-1950s structures within five community plan areas of

the city. It provides a primary data resource for establishing future

HPOZ areas and for guiding public and private efforts to preserve

individual structures. The consultant also prepared a computerized

survey, including digital photos, of historic structures within the

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CITY OF LOS ANGELES CONSERVATION ELEMENT

Adopted September 2001

II-9

Highland Park HPOZ. Using the same techniques, staff are preparing

similar surveys for other HPOZ areas. The data is used to assist city

personnel and citizen design review boards in evaluating proposed

projects and building modifications and to help them assess trends and

devise preservation strategies.

Conclusion. The city has primary responsibility for identifying and

protecting its cultural and historical heritage.

Continuing issues: loss of significant, important or contributory

cultural and historical sites and structures to neglect, site

redevelopment or damage.

Cultural and historical objective, policy and programs:

Objective: protect important cultural and historical sites and

resources for historical, cultural, research, and community educational

purposes.

Policy: continue to protect historic and cultural sites and/or

resources potentially affected by proposed land development, demolition

or property modification activities.

Program 1: development permit processing, monitoring, enforcement

and periodic revision of regulations and procedures. 

Responsibility: departments of *Building and Safety, *City

Planning, *Cultural Affairs and *Community Redevelopment

Agency and/or the *lead agency responsible for project

implementation.

Program 2: prepare the Historic Preservation and Cultural

Resources Element of the general plan.

Responsibility: departments of *City Planning and Cultural

Affairs.

Program 3: continue to survey buildings and structures of any age

in neighborhoods throughout the city in order to develop a record

that can be used in the present and future for evaluating their

historic and cultural value as individual structures and within

the context of surrounding structures.

Responsibility: departments of Building and Safety, *City

Planning, and *Cultural Affairs and the *Community

Redevelopment Agency.

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CITY OF LOS ANGELES CONSERVATION ELEMENT

Adopted September 2001

II-10

Program 4: continue to establish Historical Preservation Overlay

Zones throughout the city.

Responsibility: departments of Building and Safety, *City

Planning and Cultural Affairs and the Community

Redevelopment Agency.

For related information see: 

N

 Archaeological/Paleontological Section;

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 "Cultural and Historical Monuments Plan, an Element of the Master

Plan of the City of Los Angeles," Department of City Planning and

Cultural Heritage Board, 1969.

N

 "Cultural Heritage Master Plan," under preparation by the Cultural

Affairs Department.

N

 Historic-Cultural Monuments list, Cultural Heritage Commission, City

of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department;

N

 "Historic Preservation and Cultural Resources Element," City of Los

Angeles General Plan (to be prepared); and

N

 "Public Facilities and Services Element," City of Los Angeles General

Plan (under preparation) for cultural and historical facilities within

city parks.

SECTION 6: ENDANGERED SPECIES

Without protection of habitats suitable for species propagation, entire

species of native plants and animals gradually will decline or become

extinct. A couple of hundred plants and animals that live in Los

Angeles habitats are listed on the federal and/or state endangered,

threatened or species of special concern lists. Within the Santa Monica

Mountains National Recreation Area alone 26 plants and animals are

classified as rare, threatened or endangered and 58 more have been

placed on the list of species of special concern by the National Park

Service. Within the city more than 180 plant and animal species are

listed by the Environmental Affairs Department for the city as a whole.

Definitions:

Endangered species. In danger of extinction throughout all or a

significant portion of their range.

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