Whittier Scores Top
Mark for its Preservation Efforts
by Phil Wintner
The ultimate tribute was bestowed on Whittier’s preservation effort
by the well-qualified and respected Los Angeles Conservancy when it
awarded its highest mark, “Grade A.” And the Whittier Conservancy
may well take satisfaction in this indirect recognition of our achievements.
The top grade was issued in the form of a report card, much like the
ones you may recall from the traditional high school system, with the
various categories, “A” to “F,” evaluating the
legal tools and programs that several jurisdictions in the County have
in place to give legal protection to recognized landmarks. Whittier
has recognized 101 structures that meet the definition of “landmarks”
and has in effect a property tax incentive utilized by several homeowners.
Only six cities earned Grade “A.” We share top honors with
Pasadena, South Pasadena, Long Beach, Santa Monica and West Hollywood.
It is particularly gratifying to be classified with Pasadena, whose
pioneering and innovative programs are the precursor to the ordinances
of many local municipalities and whose success is evidenced by the dynamic
economic engine that has resulted from preserving and rehabilitating
a major portion of late 19th Century and early 20th Century commercial
structures in their old downtown area, as well as the preservation of
many of its historic residential neighborhoods.
Grades given to our neighboring cities in the county ranged from “A”
to “F” with an “F” grade unfortunately earned
by several having a close proximity to Whittier. Perhaps this public
grade will motivate them to consider the importance of preservation
and how it plays out in a quality future.
We often reminisce about how Whittier’s struggle to save the buildings
and neighborhoods that reflect our legacy and unique historic character
began with the dreadful destruction wrought by the 1987 earthquake which
was a particular disaster to our downtown, from the prominent to the
obscure. A city’s spirit, fortitude and character are always expressed
in its architecture and the small but dedicated group that realized
this in Whittier, inexperienced as they were, had to find its way through
uncharted waters. This is now the Whittier Conservancy. We are entitled
to enjoy the recognition we have indirectly received by the premiere
arbiter of heritage in this region, yet we know we can’t afford
to get comfortable because the battle is never over. Great credit goes
to three members of our city government, Councilmen Bob Henderson and
Allan Zolnekoff and former Councilwoman Helen Rahder and to the Historic
Resources Commission that they helped put in place--a public agency
responsible for designating and identifying potential landmarks and
historic districts.
Our experience here is a primer for the preservationist.
[page 1]
President's Letter
by Dorothea Boyd
Dear Members,
The Conservancy’s Annual
Awards Dinner in October was successful, interesting and entertaining.
An excellent dinner was again prepared by Beryl Whiting of Green Arbor
and lots of interesting items caught the eyes of auction shoppers. Great
gift certificates were awarded raffle winners, and speakers Bob Henderson,
Allan Zolnekoff and Owen Newcomer gave us a glimpse of Whittier’s
future. (See articles this edition.)
Perhaps the highlight of the evening was the gorgeous and elaborate
coffee machine where Charles Claver and Maria Carpiac dispensed gourmet
coffees for the asking. It was a great opportunity to welcome and honor
award winners for their contributions to the beautification and preservation
of Whittier. Our sincerest thanks go to hostess Helen Rahder for opening
her wonderful hillside garden for our biggest event of the year. We
all had a good time. See you at the Candlelight Walk on December 15.
WHNA Home Tour a Big Success
by Rosie Seelt
The Whittier Historic Neighborhood Association’s third home
tour, held this past October 25, once again proved to be a wonderful
celebration of the neighborhood’s collection of eclectic, vintage
home styles. The walking tour has steadily grown in popularity each
year, with over 850 people in attendance at this year’s event.
This was an increase of over 150 from last year’s tour.
The tour accomplishes more for the Association than fund raising. It
also serves to promote the neighborhood’s architectural heritage
and fosters an awareness of the importance of older homes; it encourages
home renovation and restoration; it unites neighborhood volunteers with
mutual interests in a successful project that establishes comradery
and builds lasting friendships; and it brings a sense of pride to the
neighborhood as well as the surrounding community.
Thus far, WHNA has used tour funds to pay for landscaping at the newly
constructed median island on Hadley Street east of Washington Avenue,
and it has made donations to the Hoover Elementary School Library and
American Red Cross. Funds raised by the tour will next be used to pay
for the construction of the first of several planned neighborhood historic
monument signs.
Going for the Green
by Sam Guyan
The City’s Greenway Task Force accepted thanks for their
participation and assorted advice at the City’s reception for
commissioners and task force members at the Friendly Hills Country Club
October 2, 2003. Most of the task force members agreed that a support
group would be helpful for trail supervision, bicycle safety and assisting
with the addition of amenities not included in trail conversion funds.
One regular dog walker, using the rough trail as is, has already contributed
a dog station.
Friends of the Whittier Greenway will be looking for other contributors
and many more members as soon as legal details for 501(c)(3) nonprofit
status are completed. On November 3, interested Whittier residents met
to help with the structuring of the group. Potential members are welcome
to attend the next meeting to hear about Greenway plans and progress.
The meeting is tentatively set for January 5, 2004, probably at our
Central Library. Call Park Director Bob Chavez, 562-464-3375 to confirm.
The interim board includes members Lilyan Neal, Scott Neal, Bob Chavez,
Bonnie Ceniseroz, Matt Ober, President Ulises Aguirre, Vice Prisident
Sylvia Southerland, Treasurer Shirley Oebel, and Sam Guyan.
[page 2]
Will the Wildlife Corridor
Be Destroyed?
by Bob Henderson
For the last 26 years Whittier’s
citizens have worked to preserve the remaining open space in our surrounding
hills. Beginning in 1990, the Whittier Conservancy and the Friends of
the Whittier Hills fought numerous battles to stop destructive development
and to push for public ownership of this precious resource.
The first great battle was with Chevron and Unocal Oil companies who
had plans to develop Hadley through the hills and to build some 1600
houses. More recently, we have successfully fought to prevent Turnbull
and Worsham Canyons from being sold for a cemetery. This battle resulted
in thousands of signatures on petitions, huge public meetings, and hundreds
of letters of support. After almost three years, this resulted in the
land being purchased in 2002. So far we have preserved almost 4,000
acres and opened it to hiking, biking, and equestrian uses.
As we have saved our local hills, we have come also to understand that
these open spaces are just a part of a remarkable corridor of open space
that runs 31 miles along the Puente Hills connecting the Whittier Hills
to the Chino Hills and to the giant wilderness of the Cleveland National
Forest. We have joined with La Habra Heights, Brea, Diamond Bar, L.A.
County and three state agencies to form the Wildlife Corridor Conservation
Authority (WCCA) to work to preserve this special wilderness that is
totally surrounded by urban density. With 12,000 acres protected by
the Chino Hills State Park and our 4,000 acres in the Whittier area,
the goal of protecting this unique wildlife corridor is almost within
reach.
Now we face the greatest threat to the Corridor. Aera Energy (owned
by Shell Oil and Exxon/Mobil) owns 3,000 acres in the middle of the
Corridor (from Harbor Blvd. to the east side of the 57 Freeway). They
have announced plans to build 3,600 homes, three commercial developments,
and a golf course on this property. This development would put over
40,000 cars trips per day onto Harbor Boulevard and the 57 Freeway and
it threatens the wildlife corridor. For the past six years, WCCA has
worked with the property owner, trying to come up with a solution to
preserve and protect the wildlife corridor. Public funds in the form
of state bond acts are available to purchase this land if Aera were
a willing seller. Unfortunately, they have steadfastly refused to have
the property appraised or enter into any kind of meaningful negotiation.
Reacting to the danger of overcrowding, more congestion, and the possible
destruction of the wildlife corridor, the surrounding cities of Brea,
La Habra and La Habra Heights, and the unincorporated area of Rowland
Heights have joined together to try to persuade Aera to let the public
buy this property at fair market value for its long-term protection.
The three cities have joined together in an effort to wage a public
relations battle with Aera to try to bring them to the bargaining table.
The City of Whittier will be asked to also join in this effort and it
will be coming to the City Council in the very near future for determination.
Here in Whittier we have invested over $42,000,000 of public funds to
save and protect our wilderness open areas. The possible destruction
of the middle of the Wildlife Corridor by the Aera development makes
it incumbent upon us to join together with these other cities to help
protect this huge public investment. To date, through the use of bond
funds and mitigation from the Puente Hills Landfill, no City of Whittier
tax money has gone towards the purchase of these lands. Their preservation
and maintenance have all been picked up through other public monies.
Now is the time for the City of Whittier to look hard at an effort to
help preserve this last remaining connection.
Brea has pledged $250,000, La Habra $100,000 and La Habra Heights $50,000
to a campaign to inform the public about the need to save this open
space. Whittier as a leader in the preservation movement needs to step
up in this important effort. A motion to join our fellow cities by contributing
$100,000 from special mitigation funds, already set aside to preserve
the hills, will be offered shortly to the City Council for consideration.
The Board of the Conservancy has endorsed this effort and I urge all
members to speak out to save the last “missing middle” of
the Wildlife Corridor.
[page 3]
Whittier Conservancy
2003 Awards
by Karen Bennett
There have been a number of notable achievements in historic
preservation and community enhancement this past year which were recognized
at the Preservation Awards dinner held on October 11.
Four of this year’s awards went to residences. Fasone Construction
of Santa Fe Springs received its second Whittier Conservancy award,
this time for “Residential Historic Preservation” of the
1929 Spanish Colonial Revival house at 12407 Honolulu Terrace. The effects
of earthquake damage and neglect were corrected while original features,
both exterior and interior, were retained and protected. The award for
“Residential Restoration” was presented to Tom and Betsey
Hunter for their house at 8201 Michigan Avenue where, using plans drawn
up by the late Jack Rhader, they restored their
California bungalow by removing
façade alterations and recreating a period-appropriate wraparound
front porch. The Atwood family of 15070 LaCuarta received the award
for “Landscape and Design” for the front yard of their Friendly
Hills home. The design is notable both for the thoughtful choice of
plantings and the respect shown to the original characteristics of the
streetscape and creek bed. The last, but by no means least of the residential
related awards was made for Preservation Advocacy. The award was accepted
by Alpha Overin on behalf of the many friends of the McGee House who
successfully advocated for its listing as a historic resource. The accompanying
positive response of the City Council and hard work of city staff resulted
in the preservation of this important landmark home on the corner of
College Avenue and Franklin.
Two notable public projects were also recognized this year. The Pio
Pico State Historic restoration project restored the house and grounds
to its appearance in the 1880’s, about the time of Whittier’s
founding. The project received the award for “Civic Restoration,”
and was accomplished through the combined efforts of the State of California,
the City of Whittier, with the support of Los Angeles County and the
contributions of many scholars and craftsmen. The award for “Preservation:
Honoring the Past, Planning for the Future” was presented to the
Whittier Union High School District for the infrastructure repairs made
to the district’s 1940 moderne Vic Lopez Auditorium at Whittier
High School, which, when complete, will assure that the visually and
acoustically beautiful auditorium will continue to be enjoyed by generations
of students and music lovers, as it has been for the past sixty-three
years.
[page 4]
Conservancy Donates Funds for Trees
by Dorothea Boyd
Whittier, Tree City USA, is about to add to its abundance of
street trees.
Known for its deep interest in the preservation and retention of city
trees, the Conservancy is proud to be making funds available to the
Park Department to replace missing trees on many local streets.
If you notice a new planting on Beverly Boulevard or Broadway, Greenleaf,
Friends, Painter, Bright, Alta, or Viewcrest, Mollyknoll and Larrylyn,
you can take pride in the knowledge that you, a Conservancy member,
had a hand in making it possible.
Look for Podocarpus, Purple Leaf Plum, Tristania, Ficus Nitida, White
Orchid, Deodar Cedar, Red Oak, Tabebuia Ipe, Golden Trumpet, Chinese
Pistache, Crepe Myrtle and Jacaranda. Quite an arboreal education!
And this is but a short list. Whittier boasts of over 60 varieties
in all.
The Conservancy’s voice was heard during the Broadway Massacre
that resulted in a change in city policy regarding tree removal. That
the Painter Avenue Ficus trees are still gracing that gateway into
the historic area is very much due to the efforts of Conservancy member
Patty Flack, who contacted every property owner to gain permission
for the City to use a portion of each property to build a curving
sidewalk around those grand but invasive trees.
The Conservancy continues in its endeavor to keep Whittier’s
charm and character through preservation of historic and natural resources.
Thanks for your help.
[page 5]
Candlelight Walking
Tour
[no author]
The Whittier Conservancy invites
you to its Holiday Candlelight Walking Tour on Monday evening, December
15, 2003, at 7:00 P.M. Conservancy members Karen Bennett and Sally Schacht
will guide you on an interesting, festive and fun tour of “Historic
Uptown Whittier Churches.” Bring your family, friends and neighbors
and meet in front of the First United Methodist Church at the corner
of Bailey Street and Friends Avenue. Refreshments will be served immediately
following the tour.
[page 6] |
