1 CEQA: A TOOL FOR ADVOCATES

CEQA: A TOOL FOR ADVOCATES
Chinese Hospital Historic and Cultural Resources: Part of the Environmental Checklist
California Preservation Foundation
September 12, 2012 • Presidio
TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE CEQA ADVOCACY
Threshold Issue to Trigger an EIR: Is the threatened building, site or object a “historical resource” as defined by CEQA, and if so, why?
Weigh in Early: Early dialogue with the developer and participation in the EIR process increases likelihood of successful outcome. The Elusive Win‐Win: Advocate for alternatives that preserve the historical resource and meet most of the project objectives.
IS IT A HISTORICAL RESOURCE UNDER CEQA?
Listed in or eligible for the California Register of Historic Places; Listed in a Local Register;
Identified as significant in a Local Survey prepared in compliance with SHPO procedures and requirements; or
Catch‐all: The fact that a resource is not listed in or determined eligible for any register, or included in a survey, “shall not preclude a lead agency from determining whether the resource may be an historical resource for purposes of this section.” (PRC § 21084.1.) 1
IS IT A HISTORICAL RESOURCE…AND IF SO, WHY?
Tonga Room (1945)
Determined eligible for the California Register by the Planning Department as a “collection of objects” that dictate their own significance as related to a specific context.
North Beach Library (1959, Appleton & Wolford)
Determined eligible for the National Register by Planning Department
as a rare example of shifts in post‐
war American library programming and design, but recent Landmark nomination denied by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. COLUMBIA SAVINGS & LOAN (IRVING SHAPIRO, 1965)
IS IT STILL A HISTORICAL RESOURCE UNDER CEQA?
2002 – Determined eligible for the California Register by SHRC
2007 – Partially demolished without permits
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Bob’s Big Boy Broiler (Reopened 2009)
“Because [a development ]application was pending at the time of the illegal demolition, the ‘environmental baseline’ for future development proposals must include an analysis of the historic resource... In other words, what remains of Johnie’s Broiler is entitled to the same protection under CEQA as if the building were still intact.” – Los Angeles Conservancy, January 29, 2007
WEIGH IN EARLY: BENEFITS OF EARLY DIALOGUE
Mark Taper Forum (Los Angeles)
No EIR if project follows Secretary’s Standards
A project that follows the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties shall be considered as mitigated to a level of less than a significant impact on the historical resource.
Benefits of Early Dialogue: The Original Fatburger (South Los Angeles)
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Benefits of Early Dialogue: The Original Fatburger (South Los Angeles)
Benefits of Early Dialogue: The Original Fatburger (South Los Angeles)
Jefferson Park Condominiums (approved March 2009)
THE ELUSIVE WIN‐WIN: FEASIBLE ALTERNATIVES
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What to Look For – Project Objectives: Public agencies should not approve a project if there are “feasible” alternatives that would substantially lessen or avoid the environmental effects, while meeting most of the project objectives.
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Adequacy of the EIR: Is there a reasonable range of alternatives evaluated in the EIR that avoid significant impacts? Is there a “preservation alternative” that meets a reasonable number of project objectives?
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Building the Record: It is essential to submit credible information to establish that preservation alternatives can achieve most of project objectives. Such documents may include:
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Expert information relating to the feasibility of alternatives to demolition (economic information, examples might include letters
from historic preservation architects or engineers)
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Examples of similar preservation projects around the state or nation
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THE ELUSIVE WIN‐WIN: FEASIBLE ALTERNATIVES
Stent Family Hall (Atherton) Submit expert information on the feasibility of alternatives to demolition
(economic information, letters from historic preservation architects or engineers, other examples)
HAS IT BEEN DONE BEFORE? USE EXAMPLES
Riverside Drive‐Zoo Bridge (Los Angeles)
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Built in 1938
832 ft long, 56 ft wide
National Register‐eligible.
“Functionally obsolete” due to narrow roadway width
▪ Vulnerable to seismic failure
▪ Ornate concrete bridge railings, including period light fixtures mounted on concrete
▪ Proposal to widen bridge on both sides to meet current highway standards and add pedestrian/bike lane
HAS IT BEEN DONE BEFORE? USE EXAMPLES
Riverside Drive‐Zoo Bridge (Los Angeles)
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HAS IT BEEN DONE BEFORE? USE EXAMPLES
Golden Gate Theater (East LA)
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Built in 1927, listed in the National Register. Long vacant and repeatedly threatened with demolition.
Proposal to convert into retail pharmacy would have removed balcony and most interior character‐defining features.
HAS IT BEEN DONE BEFORE? USE EXAMPLES
Golden Gate Theater (East LA)
Golden Gate Theater (East LA) Reopened as CVS Drugstore in August 2012
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EXAMPLE: Century Plaza Hotel / Next Century Project
Existing Hotel
▪ Completed in 1966, designed by Minoru Yamasaki
▪ 19 stories
▪ Landscaped grounds and “resort facilities” occupy half of 6‐acre site
▪ 728 rooms, 400 feet long
▪ About 850,000 sq. ft. ▪ 120,000 sq ft of meeting space, 25,000 sq ft. ballroom EXAMPLE: Century Plaza Hotel / Next Century Project
Historical Resource?
▪ Designed by Minuro Yamasaki, architect of the World Trade Center
▪ Built in 1966, less than 50 years old – exceptionally significant?
▪ Came to be known as West Coast White House ▪ Example of New Formalism…or is it?
▪ Not listed in local, California or National Register
EXAMPLE: Century Plaza Hotel / Next Century Project
Project Objectives
Mixed‐use complex of residences, offices, shops and a hotel
▪ Two 49 story, 570‐foot buildings
▪ One building dedicated to residential (130 condos); other is mixed use with condos, hotel and office space
▪ 293 condos (130 luxury condos; 163 hotel residences)
▪ 240 room hotel ▪ 117,000 sq ft office space
▪ 109,000 sq ft retail
▪ 26,250 sq ft of ballroom/meeting rooms
▪ LEED Silver Certification
▪ 2‐acre plaza with water features and greenery
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Resources for Advocates
www.laconservancy.org/preservation/CEQA_english.pdf
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