THE PRESERVATIONIST
The Whittier Conservancy Newsletter - Spring 2004
Conservancy Questions Uptown Condo Project
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Whittier residents were taken by surprise late last year when the City scheduled a December 15 public hearing before the Planning Commission to consider an amendment to the Uptown Whittier Specific Plan. The proposed change would allow seven-story, mixed-use retail/residential development in the Uptown Whittier area along the west side of Bright Avenue and the east side of Comstock Avenue between Hadley Street and Wardman Avenue. After receiving numerous inquires and comments from concerned citizens, the City pulled the proposal from the commission’s agenda. Even so, about 20 concerned residents showed up at the meeting to voice their opposition to the plan during oral comments.

The proposed amendment apparently came about as a result of Beverly Hills Developer Shane Astani’s proposal to construct a seven-story, mixed-use development along the west side of Bright Avenue between Philadelphia and Wardman. The amendment is a lengthy document which the City must have worked on for some time. But unlike plans for the redevelopment of Whittier Boulevard and the Greenway Trail there were no public meetings held beforehand, which gave rise to many residents wondering if there had been some kind of undisclosed dialogue between the City and developer.

Designed in the Mediterranean-style with a red tile roof and stucco exterior, Mr. Astani’s proposed seven-story Puente Romano project seems to be completely out of character and scale with Uptown Whittier’s historic, small-town atmosphere. In addition to retail spaces fronting on Philadelphia, for which no additional parking is provided and no tenants named, the project would have 122 residential condominiums built atop three levels of parking. The fortress-like structure appears to be situated very close to surrounding sidewalks with only minimal landscaping. The Bright Avenue site where Mr. Astani proposes to build the project is now occupied by city-owned parking lots and the Bright Hotel. Mr. Astani also has plans to develop other projects on properties he has purchased at the southwest corner of Philadelphia and Comstock and the northwest corner of Wardman and Greenleaf.

The Whittier Conservancy is not opposed to mixed-use development in the Uptown area. However, after viewing preliminary drawings of Astani Enterprises’ proposed Puente Romano project, we have the following serious concerns which we believe could adversely affect the quality of life for residents in the surrounding Uptown area:
  • The project’s height is over-scaled for the site and the surrounding area.
  • The project does not provide adequate parking.
  • The density of the project could overwhelm area schools, water and sanitation, as well as swamp the area with traffic congestion. An Environmental Impact Report and Density Analysis are needed.
  • The project’s Mediterranean-style is incompatible with the historic, small-town atmosphere of Uptown and it does nothing to contribute to the area’s historic image.
  • The project has little set-back and minimal landscaping

The Whittier Conservancy believes that Uptown needs the City’s attention and that new development there could certainly contribute to revitalizing the area. However, we think the proposed Puente Romano project is too big for the site. Before it starts through the City’s review process, we suggest that the developer look at alternatives, including a smaller, pedestrian-friendly, less dense project that looks like housing and harmonizes with Uptown’s historic, small-town atmosphere.

According to Don Dooley, Whittier’s Planning Services Manager, the developer has submitted his plans and paid his fees. The City Council must change zoning in the area, which now allows only 35 housing units per acre and dispensation of the Bright Hotel must be decided by the Historic Resources Commission. Then plans for the Puente Romano project will be sent to the Design and Review Board, the Planning Commission and lastly the City Council where the proposed project’s fate will be decided.

It is vitally important that members and friends of the Whittier Conservancy attend public hearings to voice your concerns and opinions on both the proposed Puente Romano project and the Uptown Specific Plan Amendment. Also, please write to your City Council members today c/o City of Whittier, 13230 Penn Street, Whittier, CA 90602-1772, and express your views on this important issue.

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President's Letter
by Dorothea Boyd

Dear Members,

This is an important time in Whittier’s history. We are about to select a new City Council, the people who will direct the future of Whittier and its citizens. We also have pending changes in the structure of Uptown, as well as pending new development along Whittier Boulevard with imminent changes in the Whittwood Shopping Center. We are approaching final stages in plans for the Greenway Trail, and Friends Park near the library is in jeopardy.

All of these, and many other areas of Whittier life are concerns of the Conservancy. And, as members of the Conservancy and Whittier residents, concerns of you the reader.

We hope you will read the attendant articles, keep abreast of City Council proposals, learn as much as possible about candidates running in the April election, read their statements, attend coffees and forums and be prepared to cast your vote on April 13.


What's In the Future for Nelles?
by Sam Guyan

The Nelles Correctional Facility, a California Youth Authority School for young male criminals on Whittier Boulevard, is being considered for closure. Complications of transferring the wards out of the area, staff reassignments, and allowable reuse of the property may extend time for consideration of just what the school’s future use will be.

In the late 1800’s, the Dunlaps, a wealthy local family, gave the property to the State for use as a boys and girls school for orphan and neglected children. Over the years, the girls section was closed and demolished. As boys’ crimes worsened, more strict confinement resulted. But high school graduation and a trade are still aims for willing and able wards.

Some of the school’s property was sold to Presbyterian Hospital for expansion. The $4,000 per acre paid for the property was presumably applied toward the school’s expenses and community benefits agreeable to the Dunlap family. However, no recent contact has been made with the family and none are known to be members of the Conservancy or the Historical Society. Nor is it known if a title search was done to check possible restrictions on the sale of the school property to confirm the hospital use as acceptable.

Other complications or possible community benefits could be the use of the historic buildings on the campus. Those include two residences dating to 1920 and 1926 (one may have been a Dunlap family home), the 1923 auditorium which seats 361, the 1929 administration building, the 1931 maintenance garage, the 1933 chapel/training center, and the 1934 gymnasium.

The Whittier City Council recently tacked possible uses for the approximately 92-acre property onto the Whittier Boulevard Business Improvement Study. This did not include a title search, but it could.

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A Voice of Common Sense
by Allan Zolnekoff

The Whittier Conservancy has grown and prospered in the Whittier community but we have many more challenges ahead of us. For more than a decade, we have overcome huge obstacles that have led to the demise of other organizations. Although we are not a political group, we started out fighting City Hall and ended up having our members “becoming” City Hall.

After the 1987 earthquake, there was an “underground” level of discontent in our community about how things were going, particularly on the subject of historical preservation in Uptown Whittier. We witnessed Victorian and Craftsman homes getting leveled in the name of “progress” and apartments put in without any thought to neighborhood sensibilities or infrastructure. Houses that had provided a warm and inviting home for families became apartments that became shelter for an increasingly transient population. Stop-and-Rob mini-malls erupted on many corners like an outbreak of chickenpox. It also seemed like fewer people cared to be active in the huge number of Whittier community groups.

The pieces were all in place to create a “flashpoint event.” This happened at the corner of Hadley and Greenleaf after the ’87 earthquake when a diverse group of residents staged a protest. People of different ethnicities, incomes, ages and beliefs came together in a united demonstration against the policies of our local government which was allowing and encouraging the destruction of our community’s historic infrastructure. “Ordinary” moms and dads, grandparents and children showed up to register their displeasure with the status quo.

The seeds of a new organization were planted at that event which woul
d later blossom into a group that had a clear vision of a community that encouraged historical preservation. As time went on, the purpose of the Conservancy was broadened to include the “Quality of Life” movement that was starting to grow in communities across America as a reaction to urban sprawl. Our new Governor has even mentioned the “Livable Communities” movement in public statements.

Although the City of Whittier was recently given an“A” rating on the subject of Historical Preservation by the prestigious Los Angeles Conservancy, it was only through the efforts of the Whittier Conservancy working with city officials that this happened. Other than Pasadena, most cities earned a failing “F” grade. My hope is that the “failing grade” cities do not just defensively ignore this score but use it as a reason to rethink their policies and learn from our hard fought lessons.

As the Conservancy continues to be a voice of common sense in Whittier’s future, it is important that we have a specific vision of what we want for our community. We can then be a more positive force in the years to come.
The Conservancy’s success is based on the fact that our City’s residents care deeply for their community and when necessary, they have the courage and determination to get involved in successfully resolving its problems.

Ed’s Note: As Allan concludes his time on the City Council, the Whittier Conservancy would like to thank him for his many years of dedicated service to our community and for being a good friend and supporter of the Conservancy. We wish him much success in all of his future endevors.

Conservancy to Present Candidate's Forum
by Charles Claver

The Whittier Conservancy will present a City Council Candidates Forum on Wednesday, March 24, in the Council Chamber at the Whittier City Hall, 13230 Penn Street. The forum will be televised live from 7 to 9:30 P.M. on Cable Channel 6. It will include pre-selected questions from the Whittier Conservancy as well as questions from the audience. Bonnie Shirley, Whittier resident and attorney, will be the moderator for the forum.

Seven candidates are vying for three open City Council seats, with two incumbents running (Councilman Allan Zolnekoff has decided not to seek re-election). The candidates are:
  • Owen Newcomer (incumbent) – Rio Hondo College Professor
  • Dave Butler (incumbent) – Retired Whittier Police Officer and retired small business owner
  • Cathy Warner – Dental Hygienist and business owner
  • Alex Moisa – Attorney
  • Robert Apodaca - Water Board Member
  • Joseph Marsico – Community Activist
  • Elvira Moreno De Guzman – Mother and past council member in the City of Maywood

We urge you to attend this important and informative event and hear from the candidates what their positions are on issues ranging from redevelopment in Uptown Whittier to the preservation of the Wilderness Corridor.

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It's Time to Renew Your Membership!

Your annual membership contribution supports the non-profit Whittier Conservancy’s work of preserving and enhancing Whittier’s unique character and quality of life and entitles you to free issues of The Preservationist. To renew your membership or become a new member, simply fill out the form below, and mail it along with your check in the enclosed envelope.

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