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Larchmont Chronicle Neighborhood newspaper representing Hancock Park, Larchmont Village
Miracle Mile, Park La Brea Fremont Place in the Wilshire center area of Los Angeles. Local News and
stories about the local Los Angeles Scene. Historical informattion regarding the Larchmont Chronicle and
Hancock Park area. Founded in 1963 on Larchmont Bouelvard, Los Angeles, CA, California

March 5, 2010

RESIDENTS SAY CITY ENFORCEMENT IS 'SPOTTY'

Suzan Filipek

OOPS. The area’s historic zone, requiring concrete—based on the 1920s design—was not considered during recent repairs.

After nearly four months, residents of Muirfield Road got some relief in mid-February when city workers showed up to continue street repairs.

Residents of the 300, 400 and 500 blocks had a rude awakening in early November when bulldozers and jack hammers were heard outside their doors.
Without notifying residents, the city planned to pave the concrete street with asphalt, a violation of the area’s Historic Preservation Overlay Zone, says Cindy Chvatal, president of the Hancock Park Homeowners Assoc.

The work was stopped, while a solution could be found. The city eventually relented, and resumed the work, this time with plans to pour concrete.

The above incident is indicative of a code enforcement issue that some residents say is out of control. “Poor, spotty, inconsistent,” were some of the words used to describe the city’s enforcement of its HPOZ, said Chvatal.

A spokesman from LaBonge’s office explained the costs to pour concrete are 10 times more than asphalt.

The intersections at Fourth St. and a portion of Fifth, both at Muirfield, will, however be paved in black asphalt, the material used on the site in the 1960s, and therefore in keeping with the historical zone, city officials say. Besides, costs to pave the two portions would be prohibitive at $100,000 each.

The Hancock Park HPOZ board met March 3, after the Chronicle went to press, to discuss painting the two intersections grey to match the concrete.

“Neighborhood preservation is a top priority,” said Councilmember LaBonge. “I am working closely with city officials, residents of Muirfield Road and the Hancock Park HPOZ board to get the street repaired in the manner that is consistent with the Hancock Park preservation plan.”

DRIVEWAY on Las Palmas was enlarged in violation of city zoning laws. The owner is being cited and required to obtain a new permit, according to Councilman Tom LaBonge's staff

Another case that has residents fuming involves a new driveway on S. Las Palmas Ave. Judging by a photograph, the driveway, which was framed and poured Dec. 1, encroaches on its neighbor’s property and is wider by its predecessor by almost seven feet.

The LaBonge spokesman said the contractor violated the permit and has been told to restore the driveway and submit new plans to the HPOZ Board and city Planning Dept.

Councilman Paul Koretz, meanwhile, has introduced a motion that would penalize offenders for proceeding without necessary permits. Rather than letting the fallout hit the neighbors and taxpayers, if passed, the proposed ordinance would target violators of city zoning laws.

Larchmont Chronicle
542½ North Larchmont Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90004

Editor & Publisher: Jane Gilman
Associate Publisher: Irwin Gilman

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Information about the Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, Miracle Mile, Park LaBrea areas of Los Angeles, california. The larchmont Chronicle provides information, news stories, local events, advertising, real estate information, real estate listing advertisings, Los Angeles area demographics and other neighborhood news.