kelton
Historical Preservation
First, A Bit About Owners
and Demolition
The best, most easiest way is to apply for historical monument
status before someone purchases it with the intent of demolishing
it. Apply before it changes hands. If the property is in escrow
already, try and submit the application for Historic Monuments
Application (discussed below) before escrow closes. This enables
the buyer to back out due to consideration of historic monument
status. If you submit the application after escrow has closed and
the property is now owned by a developer, it is far more
difficult to preserve the buildings. Any efforts may cause great
resentment with the owner, who will feel that the property is his
or hers, and has the right to develop the land. This is, of
course, a legitimate viewpoint. After all, it's the owner's
property. The owner does have the rights to demolish the building
within the regulations set by the city of Los Angeles. However,
you also have rights. It is your right to fill out an application
for historic monument status. It is your right to try and
historically preserve the building within the eregulations set by
the city of Los Angeles.
Even if the building has been designated historic monument
status, the owner may still choose to tear it town. The owner may
incur a fine, but the buildings have still been torn down.
Another thing that has been known to occur is the sneaky
"midnight demolition". Preservationists and realtors
have spoken of some particularly sneaky owners that send a
demolition crew out in the middle of the night to destroy the
building, pay the fine to the city, and then get on with their
construction.
All preservationists and historians that we spoke to stated that
Los Angeles has never performed a historic survey. That's not to
say that there haven't been buildings that have been designated a
historic monument - there are. However, what preservationists are
saying is that the city has never performed a historic survey to
determine what currently exists. The Getty Conservation Institute confirms this after conducting a study: "This
experience has demonstrated that Los Angeles has a wealth of
resources that are unrecognized, underutilized, and frequently
threatened; there are no systematic mechanisms to identify
significant resources and to anticipate their preservation and
reuse. A comprehensive survey could facilitate the critical
connection between research and conservation, which is essential
in establishing a property's significance and in guiding
preservation efforts."
Contact information:
The Getty Conservation Institute
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 700
Los Angeles, CA 90049-1684
Telephone: (310) 440-7325
Fax: (310) 440-7702
E-mail: gciweb@getty.edu
http://www.getty.edu/conservation/institute/
Application for Historic Monument Status
The Cultural Heritage Commission Review Process
Arguments that a Developer May Make Against Historical Preservation
Next Steps After Properties Have Been Designated Historical Monuments
How Can I Help Save The Historic Kelton Homes?
We Are Looking For Buyers For The Historic Kelton Homes
Email the Kelton Avenue Ad Hoc Committee
