Council approves historic-cultural monument designations for three Westside properties; debate highlights demolition permit and preservation timeline

The Los Angeles City Council approved three historic-cultural monument nominations on July 2001, designating Burnside Manor, the Hewitt residence at 1543 North Curzon and a multifamily building identified in the record as Chateau Killeen.

Public comment for the first two items was brief and supportive, and both were approved with unanimous votes (Item 6: 11 ayes; Item 7: 12 ayes). Larry Green, a resident who spoke for both items, said declaring local buildings historic "is a very important thing" and praised the council for the actions.

Item 8, the nomination for the multifamily building variously cited in the record as Chateau Killeen/Chateau Colleen on the Wilshire Corridor, drew extended public testimony. Frank McGinnity, trustee for the Saint John Trust that represents the owner, opposed designation, citing potential development on an adjacent vacant lot, reduced light and air if tall buildings are constructed nearby, and an estimated need for substantial repairs he put at about $400,000. McGinnity asked the council to continue the matter 30 days to allow the owner to evaluate options and to obtain information from the Cultural Heritage Commission.

The applicant and neighborhood supporters contested those points. Rita Toussaint, the applicant and an adjacent homeowner, described the building as "an absolutely beautiful building done in the chateau style built in 1935" and said neighborhood groups, the Holmby Westwood Homeowners Association and preservation organizations supported the nomination. Jason St. John, a resident of the property, told the council that residents and potential buyers had explored financing to preserve the building and said preservation could be accomplished without a city subsidy.

Ken Bernstein of the Los Angeles Conservancy urged immediate designation and warned that a continuance would cause the nomination to lapse under the 60-day statutory review period; he said a demolition permit was already pending and that a continuance could allow demolition to proceed. "We are up against the 60 day time limit," Bernstein said, adding that the property had been found eligible for listing at the local and national levels by an independent architectural historian previously commissioned by an earlier developer.

Councilmember Weiss, noting the building was in his district, said the property is "an absolute gem" and urged designation. The council approved the Chateau nomination 14-0.

The record contains inconsistent spellings of the property's name in public materials and testimony; materials submitted to the council and speakers alternately used "Chateau Killeen" and "Chateau Colleen." The council's action protects the property from demolition permits while the designation remains in force and provides time for preservation solutions to be pursued by owners or buyers.

Votes recorded on the three items were: Item 6 (Burnside Manor) approved, 11 ayes; Item 7 (Hewitt residence) approved, 12 ayes; Item 8 (Chateau nomination) approved, 14 ayes.