§ 18.88

The purpose of the provisions of this chapter is to preserve and enhance the architectural and historic integrity of the Central Park historic district, ensuring that any new development or alterations to existing structures in the district are compatible with the historic fabric of the district.

(Ord. 2705 § 2 (part), 1997)

18.88.020 - Historic district defined.

The following characteristics define the Central Park historic district:

A.

Boundaries. The boundaries of the historic district are defined on the accompanying map, and as follows:

On the east: the public alley behind lots located on the east side of Friends Avenue, generally located between the centerline of Hadley Street to the north and Philadelphia Street to the south, to include the single lot located at the southwest corner of Painter Avenue and Bailey Street.

On the west: the public alley directly behind lots located on the west side of Washington Avenue generally located between the centerline of Hadley Street to the north, and Philadelphia Street to the south, to

include the single lot located on the southeast corner of Bright Avenue and Bailey Street.

On the north: the centerline of Hadley Street between the Washington/Bright Avenue alley to the west, and the Friends/Painter Avenue alley to the east.

On the south: portions of blocks south of Bailey Street between Painter and Bright Avenues, as illustrated on the accompanying map.

B.

Historic Characteristics. The features of the Central Park historic district which define its historic significance and the character of the area to be preserved include:

1.

Land Use. The Central Park historic district is primarily a residential neighborhood on the periphery of the Uptown commercial center. Originally, the residential neighborhood contained single-family uses, and some of the original single-family homes remain. Other properties in the area have been converted to multifamily use, with some minor replacement development of apartment structures. Also located within the district is the former Women's Club building, now housing the Rio Hondo Chapter of the Red Cross. This structure, as well as the Post Office, serve as a transition into the Uptown Whittier commercial core. Central Park itself is located within the middle of the district, serving as an Uptown Whittier focal point and special event locale.

2.

Architectural Styles. The Central Park historic district includes examples of a variety of architectural styles, including Victorian, Spanish or Mediterranean revival, and Craftsman structures. The compilation of Victorian houses in the Central Park area may arguably be the largest and most unique collection remaining in Whittier. The Victorian houses are generally two-story structures with intricate detailing including elaborate columns, extensive porch areas, varying wood shingle finishes, and steeply pitched roofs. Some structures appear to contain features from both the Victorian and Craftsman eras, most likely serving as transition buildings.

3.

Scale. The general scale of the residential structures is fairly uniform with many of the residences surrounding the park constructed with two stories. Many of the lots maintain multifamily uses with two units (front and rear) located on the lot. The lots with single units generally cover less than half of the lot on which they are located. The open space between structures illustrates substandard setbacks typical of historic tracts, however, the distance between structures is adequate and with appropriate open areas provided for in the front lawns and backyards.

4.

Landscaping. Central Park serves as a neighborhood green space with many references to the past. The park also serves as a major contributor to the unique character of the area. Additionally, the landscaping of both private property and public rights-of-way is extensive and mature. The impression of an original town

center is very evident in the layout, street systems, and orientation of the structures surrounding the park. A large stand of palm trees, along Washington Avenue, contributes to the overall quality and maturity of the area. The preservation of these trees will continue to present the appropriate authenticity to the area.

5.

Public Improvements. Public improvements in the area include paved local streets with curbs, gutters and sidewalks separated from the street by a landscaped median. The public right-of way includes street trees of varying type and maturity. Central Park is a public park that is maintained by the city.

(Ord. 2705 § 2 (part), 1997)

Land uses permitted in the Central park historic district shall be those permitted in the underlying zone; provided, the construction or operation of such use is compatible with the requirements of this chapter. In addition to such principal permitted uses, accessory uses permitted by the underlying zone classification shall also be allowed.

(Ord. 2705 § 2 (part), 1997)

No plan for development, alteration, expansion or construction on properties located in the Central Park historic district shall be approved unless the same complies with Section 18.87.040 of the zoning regulations and Chapter 5 of the Uptown Whittier Specific Plan, as amended.

(Ord. 2705 § 2 (part), 1997)

Upon adoption of the Central Park historic district, no person shall perform any work requiring a building permit to demolish, remove, construct, alter, move or change the appearance of any structure or portion of a structure without first having applied for and been issued a certificate of appropriateness.

(Ord. 2705 § 2 (part), 1997)

A.

An application for a certificate of appropriateness shall be filed with the planning department, and shall contain the following data:

1.

A clear and comprehensive statement of the proposed work;

2.

Plans describing the size, height and appearance of the proposed work;

3.

A site plan showing all existing buildings and structures and indicating the location of the proposed work;

4.

Where the application involves demolition, a statement of justification for the necessity of demolition to the historic resources commission;

5.

Color photographs of the exterior of all structures located on the site where the work is proposed, and a view of structures on adjoining lots from public streets or ways;

6.

Samples of the materials proposed for use on the subject project;

7.

Such other materials as the planning director may deem necessary to permit the evaluation of the impact of the proposed project.

B.

Applicants requesting ordinary repair and maintenance of property located in the Central Park historic district may have their certificate of appropriateness issued by the planning director. Ordinary repair and maintenance includes but is not restricted to:

1.

Repair using like or similar materials and design elements as the original;

2.

All interior alterations not visible from, nor resulting in any impact upon, the structure's exterior.

C.

After receiving an application for a certificate of appropriateness and determining that more than ordinary repair and maintenance is involved, the director shall set the matter for review before the historic resources commission.

D.

At least ten days in advance of the time set for consideration of the application by the historic resources commission, the planning director shall give written notice of the time and place of the meeting to the applicant, all property owners within the Central Park historic district, and any person requesting such notice.

E.

The meeting shall be conducted so as to allow all interested persons a reasonable opportunity to be heard in connection therewith.

F.

Notice of the decision of the historic resources commission shall be sent to the property owner, the building and safety director, and one copy shall be retained in the planning department.

G.

The decision of the historic resources commission shall be final in thirty days, unless the same is appealed by the applicant, city council, or any other interested party.

(Ord. 2705 § 2 (part), 1997)

18.88.070 - Required findings.

Before a certificate of appropriateness is approved, the body approving the certificate must make the following findings of fact:

A.

The proposed project is consistent with the purposes of this chapter; and

B.

Every reasonable effort has been made to adapt the project in a manner which requires minimal alteration of the building, structure, object or site and its relationship to its environment; and

C.

Distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftsmanship which characterize a building, structure, object or site have been preserved as much as possible; or

D.

The applicant has demonstrated that the proposed action is the only reasonable means to correct an unsafe or dangerous condition on the property; or

E.

The applicant has demonstrated that denial of the application will result in immediate or substantial hardship.

(Ord. 2705 § 2 (part), 1997)

A certificate of appropriateness issued pursuant to this chapter shall be valid for a period of twelve months from the date of issuance. The certificate shall expire at the end of this period unless work has commenced

in accordance with the approved plan. The director may extend the approval for no longer than two additional six-month periods.

(Ord. 2705 § 2 (part), 1997)

A.

If the application proposes demolition or off-site relocation and the certificate is not issued pursuant to Section 18.88.070, the commission may require a forty-five-day review period for the purpose of providing time to explore alternatives to the removal of the structure, including compliance with the Secretary to the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Preservation.

1.

No later than the end of the forty-five days, the commission shall review the progress made towards preservation. If additional time is needed to accomplish preservation of the structure, the commission may impose an additional stay on issuance of the certificate not to exceed a total of one hundred eighty days. The stay shall be terminated at any time the commission, or the city council on appeal, determines that preservation is not feasible.

2.

No later than the end of the one-hundred-eighty-day stay, the commission shall again review the progress made towards preservation. If preservation has not been accomplished, and alternatives to demolition or removal have been thoroughly explored, the commission shall determine whether preservation is still feasible, and either:

a.

Issue a certificate of appropriateness for demolition, provided plans for a replacement structure have been approved; or

b.

Deny the certificate of appropriateness application.

B.

Prior to issuance of the certificate of appropriateness for demolition or the removal of a structure within the district, the applicant shall provide to the director, at the applicant's sole cost, archival quality photodocumentation of the exterior of the structure to be demolished or removed.

(Ord. 2705 § 2 (part), 1997)

None of the provisions of this chapter shall be construed to prevent or apply to any work or demolition necessary to correct or eliminate the unsafe or dangerous condition of any historic building or of any

building or structure located in the district, where such conditions have caused the structure to be declared unsafe, dangerous pursuant to Chapters 8.08 and 15.04 of the Whittier Municipal Code. The historic resources commission shall be advised of the required demolition, prior to issuance of the demolition or building permit needed to alleviate the unsafe condition.

(Ord. 2705 § 2 (part), 1997)

A.

No permit to demolish a structure within the historic district boundaries may be issued unless plans for a replacement structure or a project have been reviewed and approved by the historic resources commission, unless:

1.

Demolition is determined to be necessary in order to correct or eliminate a dangerous or unsafe condition posing a hazard to the general public.

B.

An applicant for demolition permits may apply to the commission for relief from the requirements of this section. The commission may grant relief if it finds that demolition without replacement will not result in adverse impact to the district. Adverse impacts to the district may include, and shall be found if, the loss of the structure without replacement is likely to result in nuisance uses of the vacant property or would have an adverse visual impact on the neighborhood.

(Ord. 2705 § 2 (part), 1997)

The determination of the historic resources commission shall become effective and final thirty days after their final action, unless within such period of time an appeal, in writing, is filed with the city clerk, by the applicant or any other interested person. Such appeal shall be accepted for filing only upon the paying of an appeal fee as set forth by the city council. In the event that no city council meeting is held within said thirty day period, the effective date shall be extended to the date immediately following the next city council meeting for which the item has been lawfully posted and agendized for city council consideration.

(Ord. 2819 § 6, 2003; Ord. 2705 § 2 (part), 1997)

(Ord. No. 3112, § 4, 2-25-20)

A.

Upon the filing of an appeal, the secretary to the commission shall forward to the city clerk the commission's files with regard to such certificate of appropriateness application. Upon receipt of the same, the city clerk shall promptly set the matter for a public hearing before the city council. The city council shall

conduct a de novo public hearing upon the matter, and thereafter shall determine whether the application may be approved, conditionally approved, or denied. Within its discretion, the city council may refer, prior to its decision, such matter to the commission for a further report, with or without additional public hearing before the commission. The determination of the council shall be considered adopted by not less than a majority of the voting membership.

B.

The appeal shall be considered by the council at a noticed public hearing, pursuant to Section 18.88.060 of the zoning regulations. Any interested person addressing the council may present evidence as to why the commission's decision should be upheld or reversed. The council may reverse or affirm the decision in whole, or in part, and may impose conditions on the application which were not considered by the commission.

(Ord. 2705 § 2 (part), 1997)

(Ord. No. 3112, § 4, 2-25-20)

Chapter 18.89 - COLLEGE HILLS HISTORIC DISTRICT