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Whittier Art Gallery Visiting Schoolchildren, 1948
NEW STATE HOUSING LAWS PUT FOCUS ON HISTORIC PROPERTIES 6307 Friends Avenue Modest Colonial American Revival, 1903
window; the re-sizing and cutting of many new, inappropriate window openings; and the construction of a second dwelling unit of incompatible size, material, and design that would take up virtually the entire backyard. For reasons unknown, the city staff supported this ill-conceived proposal without ensuring its compatibility with the definition and standards of the historic district. (See centerfold for more information)
HRC OVERRULES CITY RECOMMENDATIONS
When preservation planning is done well, it encourages the retention and reuse of historic resources while allowing for sensible, compatible development. With California facing a serious housing shortage, the state has recently passed laws that allow second dwelling units on all residential property, providing that there is enough infrastructure—like sewers, water, etc.—and that the underlying development and design standards of the main house and the surrounding area are respected. This means that ADUs (accessory dwelling units) can be accommodated on historic properties, but they must be compatible in size, materials, and setting. They should adaptively reuse existing on-site facilities like historic garages instead of demolishing them, and should respect the ambiance of established neighborhoods.
RECENT CITY ACTIONS WEAKEN PROTECTIONS FOR HISTORIC DISTRICTS In February, an application was submitted to remodel a 1903 home in the Hadley/Greenleaf Historic District. On a street that boasts a completely intact row of early 20th century homes, this request included: the demolition of two historic garages; a complete window change-out as well as the destruction of the front-facing
Many residents of the neighborhood expressed outrage at the precedent that would be set by degrading the historic home and allowing such intrusive, inappropriate usage of the lot. The Conservancy issued a lengthy report documenting the inaccuracies of the city’s position. The hearing before the Commission brought a halt to this proposal when commissioners, who are volunteer representatives of the community, voted unanimously to reject the entire application as “incomplete and inappropriate.” They emphasized the fact that the home must abide by the established standards and policies that have been in place for decades.(cont. on back *pg. 8)
INSIDE:
State Law & Historic Properties
The Benefits of Preservation & Affordable Housing Uptown Businesses & Covid Art Gallery Make-Over
Hadley / Greenleaf Historic District Update on Nixon House
National Historic Preservation Month 1
THE PRESERVATIONIST
Crepes & Grapes
Wishing Well
UPTOWN BUSINESSES COPING WITH COVID... IT TAKES A VILLAGE! Uptown fixture Crepes and Grapes opened to the public in March of 2004. Owned by Sandra and Frank Hahn, it is the first and only creperie in Whittier. Its cuisine is fresh, unique, and simple; and safe outdoor dining is currently flourishing as the warm weather picks up.
Paul and Stephanie Brenier opened the Wishing Well Toy Store in Uptown in 2005. According to Stephanie, “COVID changed everything! The shut-down happened so quickly and so unexpectedly, that we had to rethink our whole approach to doing business.” They immediately focused on Social Media as According to Sandra, the biggest challenge they faced at the the prominent tool to get their message out. They started making outset of the pandemic—besides trying to keep everyone safe face masks and Easter baskets and offered curbside pickup and and healthy—was “juggling our staff into cross-working roles” free local delivery. They created a website and started offering in order to keep as many employees as possible. The demands of products online and their kids pitched in to help package and higher food costs due to the inability to buy in bulk were offset drop off the goods. by loyal customers who encouraged them by ordering take-out Paul and Stephanie say that people choosing to shop locally and occasionally bringing them hand-made masks and bouquets is what has made their business survive and thrive, believing of flowers. She was especially grateful for the support from both that community support flows in both directions. They say they the City and the Chamber of Commerce who provided constant have received tremendous help from the city, the county, and updates on state guidelines along with the relaxing of rules and the state and that grants have allowed them to maintain a safe other offers of assistance. working environment. As things get better in California, “our customers keep visiting The Breniers have turned lemons into lemonade as they can us and supporting our business along with our fellow restaurateurs now report “the best growth and sales we have experienced in and their businesses---we’re all in this together and that’s what 15 years.” They must be doing something right because they makes our community that much stronger. We’ve even been able to plan on staying in Whittier and enjoying the social as well as deliver food to people who were unable to get out. After contacting the Whole Child, they worked with us and we were able to feed 30 the economic benefits of going from gloom to bloom as they families per week for three months.” Crepes & Grapes will remain journeyed through the past year with hope, innovation, and resilience. in Uptown as long as the customers keep coming. 2
Art Association President, Pam Korporaal will soon be welcoming visitors back. - Deanna Woirhaye Photography
In 1938, during the Great Depression, the fledgling Whittier Art Association accepted a donation from local banker Fred Pease and used the money to buy a lot at the southwest corner of Painter Avenue and Moreland Drive. With strong leadership and pro bono designs from renowned local architect William Henry Harrison (who was simultaneously designing the Whittier H.S. auditorium), plans for the Whittier Art Gallery quickly emerged.
SPRING 2021
Landmark Historic Art Gallery Gets a Makeover The Whittier Art Gallery is not just an old building. It is part of Whittier’s rich history and emblematic of the strong ties that brought the community together for a common purpose almost a century ago and continue to serve our community to this day.
Opening on April 10, 1939, and welcoming over 600 enthusiastic visitors, well-known Los Angeles Times art critic Arthur Miller reported that, “Whittier has the Southland’s best designed, best equipped small public art center.” Prominent members of the California Art Club, California Watercolor Society, as well as professional illustrators, sculptors, clay artists, even seven Disney artists, were among the crowd. Ida O’Keeffe, sister of Georgia O’Keeffe, moved to Whittier in 1943---residing across from the college on Earlham Drive—and served on the Association’s board as she expanded her art career in California. During World War II, the gallery became a gathering place for the community, featuring free public exhibits, dance lessons for children, potluck dinners, and open meetings for art programs. In the post-war years, the Art Association provided school district art exhibits while its members gave free lessons to hundreds of school children. In 2018, the Historic Resources Commission and the City Council designated the gallery building as a Local Historic Landmark. This means it meets specific criteria and the distinction is shared with only 140 other structures in the entire city. Last year, the gallery underwent a complete exterior paint job that included meticulous treatment of all of the original redwood boards. After weeks of prep work, the entire building was handprimed and painted to its original “whitewashed redwood” color. The double front doors have been restored to their original red, chosen in 1939 for its warm, welcoming look. The gallery will soon be re-opened, ready to serve the public for generations to come. 8035 Painter Avenue
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THE PRESERVATIONIST
Hadley/Greenleaf Historic
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SPRING 2021 A historic resource is a building, structure, object or site determined to be significant in the history, culture, archeology, or architecture of Whittier and deemed appropriate for preservation by majority vote of the Historic Resources Commission (HRC) and/ or City Council. A historic district is a geographic area with precise boundaries or a thematic grouping that contains a concentration of unified historic resources, so designated by the City Council based on specific codified criteria recommended by the HRC. The Hadley/Greenleaf neighborhood was saved from unwarranted apartment construction and other incompatible development following the 1987 Earthquake. Neighbors, outraged at the destruction of the area lot by lot, rallied in 1989 to get the zoning changed to “historic overlay.” A few years later, after the formation of the Historic Resources Commission, the boundaries were defined and given the status of “historic district,” further stabilizing the area and making it an official section of Whittier’s Municipal Code. (18.87) The purpose of Preservation Ordinance 18.87 is “to preserve and enhance the architectural and historic integrity of the Hadley/ Greenleaf neighborhood (see map on p. 6) and to ensure that any new development or alterations to existing structures in the district are compatible with the historic fabric of the district.” Districts contain two types of resources: “contributing”—“any improvement that adds to the historical, architectural, or cultural significant of the district” (e.g. the 1903 house in question on p. 1); and “non-contributing”—(e.g., a 1978 apartment building). When a city has not made that distinction, as is the case in Whittier, all resources are presumed to be significant and shall be treated as contributors unless the preponderance of evidence demonstrates otherwise. Of the 190 properties in Hadley/Greenleaf, 160 are “contributors,” 16 of which are individual landmarks. Whittier requires a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Commission and a building permit for any exterior work (other than painting or regular maintenance) or new construction within a historic district. All work must be compatible with the character of the district and the individual property. To achieve this goal, Whittier has adopted the California State Historic Building Code and the United States Secretary of the Interior standards for work on historic properties. Contributing resources are also eligible for financial incentives for restoration and rehabilitation through California’s Mills Act and other programs administered through the City. These economic benefits help to offset expenses incurred with extensive renovation by encouraging the revitalization of historic properties through local participation. The Conservancy and the HRC have worked together with the City Council to reduce or waive fees for Mills Act, Landmark, and C of A applications. 5
THE PRESERVATIONIST
Historic Districts and Uptown Specific Plan Boundaries Districts and Uptown Specific Plan Boundaries HistoricHistoric Districts & and Uptown Boundaries Historic Districts UptownSpecific Specific PlanPlan Boundaries
Did you know? Did you KNOW? know? DID YOU change;Did theyyou know? Preservation
Preservation laws do not prevent manage it. Standards owners change; to alter their Preservation laws do allow not prevent they property; only to retention of Preservation laws do require not prevent change; they manage it. guidelines Standards allow owners alter their “character-defining” andto additions manage it.guidelines Standards elements allow owners alter their property; require only retention of compatible with historic features. They ensure “character-defining” andretention additions property; guidelines elements require only of review of demolition requests but do not prohibit it. compatible with historic features. Theyadditions ensure “character-defining” elements and compatible with historic features. They ensure review of demolition requests but do not prohibit it. review of demolition requests but do not prohibit it. Preservation laws should not impinge on property rights any more other long-accepted rules. Preservation laws than should not impinge on property Zoning laws and HOA requirements and limitations rights any more other rules. Preservation lawsthan should not long-accepted impinge on property are often more restrictive than preservation laws. Zoning lawsmore and HOA requirements and limitations rights any than other long-accepted rules. 6
is a great tool for encouraging new development stimulating growth. Preservation isand a great tool foreconomic encouraging new Programs nation-wide report enhanced property development stimulating growth. Preservation isand a great tool foreconomic encouraging new values, increased tourism, reduced costs over Programs nation-wide report enhanced development and stimulating economicproperty growth. building new, a significant ofcosts new jobs, values, increased tourism, reduced over Programs nation-wide reportnumber enhanced property and sizeable sums in reinvestment. building new, a significant new jobs, values, increased tourism,number reducedof costs over
and sizeable in reinvestment. building new,sums a significant number of new jobs, and sizeable sums in reinvestment. Historic districts assure property owners that the aesthetic qualitiesassure of the property neighborhood willthat endure. Historic districts owners the Districts alleviate fears that the neighbors may aesthetic qualitiesassure of the property neighborhood willthat endure. Historic districts owners the undertake inappropriate exterior alterations. Districts that the neighbors may aesthetic alleviate qualities offears the neighborhood will endure. are often more than preservation laws. Zoning laws andrestrictive HOA requirements and limitations Districts alleviate fears exterior that thealterations. neighbors may undertake inappropriate Map courtesy of Whittier Historic Resources Commission areAdapted often more restrictive than preservation laws. from Ken Bernstein, “Ten Top Myths about Historic Preservation,” Los Angeles Conservancy,exterior revised March 30, 2016. undertake inappropriate alterations. DataBernstein, in original“Ten regarding dollarabout savings do notPreservation,” reflect actual dollar savingsConservancy, in the City ofrevised Whittier. Adapted from Ken Top Myths Historic Los Angeles March 30, 2016.
SPRING 2021 Mission Statement
The Whittier Conservancy is committed to the preservation and enhancement of Whittier’s unique character and quality of life. The Conservancy promotes awareness and appreciation of Whittier’s historic, aesthetic, and natural resources. The Conservancy works for the preservation and sensitive use of Whittier’s significant residential structures, landmark commercial buildings, and notable landscapes, including its valuable cultivated trees, public parks, and the natural beauty of the Whittier Hills.
n i o J e h T r e i t h W y c n a vr es o C Please consider making a tax deductible contribution. Kindly complete and send this of rm with oy ur tax-deductible donation to:
The Whittier Conservancy, P.O. Box 9114, Whittier, CA 90608-9114
$25.00 Student
eY s, I want to support our cultural heritage!
$50.00 Friend $100.00 Patron $250.00 Preservationist $500.00
Heritage Circle
$1000.00
Environmental Steward
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WHITTIEr CONSERVANCY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2020
PRESIDENT
MARY GORMAN-SULLENS VICE-PRESIDENT
FRED KERZ TREASURER
MEL STURR SECRETARY
GWEN WOIRHAYE TANIA CRUSE DAVID DICKERSON CONNIE MILLER JUDITH PRATHER THERESA RIVAS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
HELEN RAHDER P. O. Box 9114 Whittier, CA 90608
www.whittierconservancy.org info@whittierconservancy.org
Name Address Phone Email
Conservancy members measuring perimeter of 15844 Whittier Blvd
NIXON HOUSE SAVED
The Conservancy, the City, and the owner have collaborated to save and adaptively reuse the historic Nixon House for community purposes. Adjacent to the Nixon homestead, the house was built in 1927 and purchased by Richard Nixon’s parents in 1945; it was listed as RMN’s voting address during his years as both a Congressman and Vice-president. His brother Don lived there and continued to operate the family store and gas station at Whittier Blvd. and Santa Gertrudes. Don Nixon was a noted local personality in his own right who expanded the family business with the operation of Nixon’s Drive-in restaurant and a large grocery store at the location of the current Sprout’s. Frank and Hannah Milhous Nixon were early participants in the settlement of East Whittier when it was split off from the successful Leffingwell Ranch a century ago. The house is representative of just a handful of homes from the period that launched the development of East Whittier. In 2000, the Historic Resources Commission listed the house as a local historic resource. That classification was upheld by two judges in 2015 and 2018. When the city supported the owner’s request for demolition in January, the Conservancy and the community rallied in support of the house’s importance to the history of Whittier. The current commission agreed and voted unanimously to uphold the house’s status as a historic resource. This ruling gave both the Conservancy and the City time to think about possible relocation sites in an effort to save the building, provide the owner time to submit his plans for the site, and find a suitable location and purpose for the adaptive reuse of the building. Stay tuned. More info coming soon 7
The Whittier Conservancy P.O. Box 9114 Whittier, CA 90608-9114
WHITTIER, CA
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Preservation Month
Support Whittier’s unique history and quality of life!
National Historic
May is Preservation Month, not just in California, but across the nation. Take an opportunity to discover, honor, and share the unique heritage of Whittier, our surrounding communities, or anywhere—like national parks—to experience the integral parts of history that tell the human story. Visit the Central Park Historic District in Uptown and see some of the homes that were original to the founding of the town. Walk north through the Hadley/ Greenleaf Historic District, another neighborhood saved by the Conservancy. Picnic in Penn Park, a local historic landmark built as a WPA Project build during World War II. Pio Pico State Park on Whittier Blvd. just west of the 605 is the restored homestead of the last Mexican Governor of California—right here in Whittier! Take a hike in Turnbull Canyon and along the San Gabriel River, where Gabrielino Indians lived and thrived before the Quakers ever set foot in Whittier.
Drive around the Civic Center and appreciate the mid-century architecture of City Hall and the Central Library and move on to the Whittier H.S. Auditorium, all designed by local architect William H. Harrison—who also designed our featured Art Gallery. Take a look at the Nixon House, California Domestic Water, and the old Friendly Hills Bowling Alley (now Bev-Mo) as well as the restored 5-Points Car Wash—all on Whittier Blvd. and all saved by the Conservancy in recent years. Ask your parents and grandparents about their childhoods and the journeys that have made them who they are and write it down for your kids. Learn your story, the history of your neighborhood, and pass it on. Historic preservation is not just about saving old buildings and sites; it’s about the stories and traditions connected to those places. It’s about local pride, thriving neighborhoods and our heritage!
(cont. from pg. 1)
PRESERVATION AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING CAN CO-EXIST FOR THE BENEFIT OF EVERYONE
Historic garages can be addaptively reused, rather than demolished
Uptown lots are relatively large, and many already have additional units. The Conservancy is not opposed to affordable housing, as evidenced by its leadership in the beautiful development at Comstock and Penn. Historic Guilford Hall was moved from Whittier College to its new location and repurposed as a successful urban housing project. In the case of the proposed Friends Avenue project, concerned citizens insisted on adherence to city laws already in place that protect historic resources. Residents need to continue to be aware of what’s happening in their neighborhoods and be vigilant about ensuring that new construction reflects both preservation and high-quality development. Participation and involvement are essential to maintaining neighborhood integrity along with needed housing.