THE PRESERVATIONIST
The Whittier Conservancy Newsletter - November 2004
Commission Scheduled to Hear Uptown Condo Projects
[no author]

The proposed Puente Romano Condo project was pulled off the Whittier Planning Commission’s November 1 agenda just hours before the meeting was scheduled to begin. This was due to two of the commission’s five members not being able to attend the meeting. The City feels the full commission needs to be present for the public hearing on this large and controversial project, so it has been rescheduled for Monday, December 6, at 7:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers.

Skyline Holdings, the applicant, is requesting approval to construct a 71 foot tall, six-story mixed-use development that would consist of 122 residential condominium units, three levels of parking and new retail space fronting on Philadelphia Street. The site for the proposed project is currently occupied by the Bright Hotel and city-owned parking lots.

The applicant is also requesting that the Whittier Uptown Specific Plan be amended to include a “Mixed Use District.” The “Mixed Use District” would amend the current zoning on the project site to allow the applicant to construct residential units at a density of 63.2 per acre which is 28.2 more than the 35 units the specific plan currently allows. The zoning amendment would also allow the applicant to build his project 31 feet higher than the current 40 feet maximum allowed by the specific plan.

The Whittier Conservancy is not opposed to mixed-use development and believes that new development could contribute to revitalizing the Uptown area. However, we think the proposed Puente Romano is visually and architecturally incompatible with Uptown’s historic, small-town atmosphere and it is simply too big for the site.

It is vitally important that members and friends of the Whittier Conservancy and Uptown residents attend the coming public hearing to voice your support for alternatives to this inappropriate high-density project. The Conservancy suggests the applicant look at alternatives that include a smaller, pedestrian-friendly, less dense project that looks like housing and harmonizes with Uptown’s small-town atmosphere.
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President's Letter
by Dorothea Boyd

As most of our readers know, the Conservancy has been very concerned about the presence of Ibiza in Uptown Whittier. A nightclub of this size is not appropriate in such close proximity to residences, including Merrill Gardens retirement community on Philadelphia Street. Noise from exuberant patrons, many encouraged by alcohol, extends into the early morning hours on weekend nights disturbing households throughout the area. The impact on local businesses is detrimental due to crowded streets, sidewalks and parking spaces. Regular diners feel intimidated by the Ibiza crowd and motorcycle groups. It is sad to have this once quiet Quaker town destroyed by such a widely-advertised nightclub. A recent letter in the Whittier Daily News from Glendora resident Greg Torres states, “…Uptown is quickly losing its appeal to families searching for a decent destination on a Friday or Saturday evening. Then again, for those craving a stiff drink and a taste of indecency, Uptown Whittier welcomes you!”

The Ibiza situation was discussed at great length during a hearing held at the October 26 city council meeting. The council chambers were full—Ibiza patrons, staff and lawyers were present to plead their case. Local citizens voiced their concerns. All were given time to speak in an orderly fashion.

Although there were impassioned speeches on both sides, the order of the day was to decide the fate of Ibiza based on its past performance and its management’s blatant disregard for the law. The Whittier Police Department was called to Ibiza on 265 occasions in the past two years. The fire department found dangerous violation in use of the basement where female strippers were entertaining. The Whittier Planning Commission had, after lengthy consideration, recommended revocation of Ibiza’s license based on noncompliance with its conditional use permit.

Quite apart from the pros and cons of Ibiza in the neighborhood, the club had broken conditions of its conditional use permit on many occasions, had been taken to court twice for allowing exotic male dance shows, fined and continued to break the law. The case seemed cut and dried. Not so. Four members of the city council saw fit to give Ibiza, “one more chance.” Councilwoman Cathy Warner stood alone for the rule of law!
Undoubtedly money spoke—the loss of revenue to the City and the fear of litigation. Our neighbor Ibiza, who spreads its wealth in donations throughout the city, has lawyers ready to sue the City if its license is revoked.

The Conservancy is saddened that our city fathers were threatened into turning a blind eye to the rule of law. Can they withstand the next breach of contract by Ibiza?
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2004 Conservancy Awards
by Karen Bennett

The 2004 Whittier Conservancy preservation awards were presented at the annual Conservancy dinner held at the Whittier Depot on October 16. The award for Rehabilitation of an Historic Feature was given to Bob and Karen Stoltz, the owners of the 1910 Craftsman bungalow located at 6318 Washington Avenue.

The Stoltzes had spent several years carefully restoring their home when workers pruning trees next door lost control of a large limb which then fell on the Stoltz’s chimney, breaking away the top portion. The Stoltzes undertook to ensure that the repair process met high standards for historic preservation, and the result has preserved the design of the chimney as well as the original beauty of the massive stone fireplace surround which is the focal point of the home’s living room. All this was done in compliance with current building codes. A tragedy averted and a job well done!

The 1903 A.C. Johnson house at 6546 Friends Avenue on Central Park is owned by Rick and Lisa Myers who received the award for New Construction Compatible with an Historic Building. They received the award for the sensitivity shown to their historic Victorian home when they built an addition to the rear of the house, improving upon another modern addition and creating a project that is compatible with the historic portion of this important home. The Myers also built a compatible garage.

The award for Historic Residential Restoration was given to John Cohen and Pat Strongwater, owners of the Landreth House at 7055 Washington Avenue, one of the most prominent and admired Victorian homes in the City. The owners have undertaken many tasks in the restoration of the exterior of their home, just a few of which are the reopening of the wraparound porch and the restoration of it to its original shape, the replacement of the ornate Victorian cresting on the top of the roof, and the execution of a lovely Victorian paint scheme.

A unique situation arose with this year’s awards, as each of these significant projects involved a house that is individually listed on the City’s Register of Historic Resources. In each case, the homes have received notable attention by their owners which contributed, in an outstanding way, to their preservation or, in the case of new construction, respected the home’s historic attributes.

 
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Candlelight walking tour
[no author]

The Whittier Conservancy invites you to its Holiday Candlelight Walking Tour on Monday evening, December 13, 2004, at 7:00 P.M. Conservancy members Karen Bennett and Sally Schacht will guide you on an interesting, festive and fun tour of “HOMES OF HISTORIC CENTRAL PARK.” Bring your family, friends and neighbors and meet at the Central Park Bandstand, corner of Washington Avenue and Bailey Street. Refreshments will be served immediately following the tour.

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