Planning & Land Use Management
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DEPARTMENT OF EXECUTIVE OFFICES CITY PLANNING ';ITY OF Los ANGELL.,; OFFICE OF HISTORIC RESOURCES CALIFORNIA S. GAIL GOLDBERG, AICP DIRECTOR 200 N. SPRING STREET, ROOM 620 (213) 978-1271 Los ANGELES, CA 90012-4801 (213) 978-1200 JOHN M. DUGAN DEPUTY DIRECTOR CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION (213) 978-1274 RICHARD BARRON PRESIDENT ROELLA H. LOUIE EVA YUAN-McDANIEL VICE-PRESIDENT DEPUTY DIRECTOR (213) 978-1273 GLEN C. DAKE ANTONIO R. VILLARAIGOSA MIA M. LEHRER FAX: (213) 978-1275 oz scorr MAYOR INFORMATION LOURDES SANCHEZ (213) 978-1270 COMMISSION EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT (213) 978-1300 www.lacity.DrglPLN April 14, 2008 Los Angeles City Council Room 395, City Hall 200 North Spring Street Los Angeles, California 90012 ATTENTION: Barbara Greaves, Legislative Assistant Planning and Land Use Management Committee CASE NUMBER: CHC-2007 -5948-HCM LYDECKER HILLTOP HOUSE 3820 BUENA PARK DRIVE At the Cultural Heritage Commission meeting of March 6, 2008, the Commission moved to add "Hilltop" to the name and include the above property in the list of Historic-Cultural Monuments, subject to adoption by the City Council. As required under the provisions of Section 22.171.10 of the Los Angeles Administrative Code, the Commission has solicited opinions and information from the office of the Council District in which the site is located and from any Department or Bureau of the city whose operations may be affected by the designation of such site as a Historic-Cultural Monument. Such designation in and of itself has no fiscal impact. Future applications for permits may cause minimal administrative costs. The City Council, according to the guidelines set forth in Section 22.171 of the Los Angeles Administrative Code, shall act on the proposed inclusion to the list within 90 days of the Councilor Commission action, whichever first occurs. By resolution, the Council may extend the period for good cause for an additional 15 days. The Cultural Heritage Commission would appreciate your inclusion of the subject modification to the list of Historic-Cultural Monuments upon adoption by the City Council. The above Cultural Heritage Commission action was taken by the following vote: Moved: Commissioner Barron Seconded: Commissioner Scott Ayes: Commissioner Dake, Lehrer, Louie Vote: 5-0 LES:dj Attachment: Staff Report with Findings APR 1 5 2008 PLANNING & LAND c: Council member Wendy Greuel, Second District Jason and Melissa Burks, Applicant/Owner USE MANAGEMENT . ~ AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER Recyclable and made Irom recycled wasle. 16~ Los Angeles Department of City Planning' RECOMMENDATION REPORT CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION CASE NO.: CHC-2007-5948-HCM HEARING DATE: March 6, 2008 Location: 3820 Buena Park Dr. TIME: 10:00 AM Council District: 2 PLACE: City Hall, Room 1010 Community Plan Area: Sherman Oaks-Studio 200 N. Spring Street City-Toluca Lake-Cahuenga Pass Los Angeles, CA Area Planning Commission: South Valley 90012 Neighborhood Council: Studio City Legal Description: Lot 153 of TR 7497 PROJECT: Historic-Cultural Monument Application for the LYDECKER HOUSE REQUEST: Declare the property a Historic-Cultural Monument APPLICANTI Melissa and Jason Burks OWNER: 3820 Buena Park Drive Los Angeles, CA 91604 RECOMMENDATION That the Cultural Heritage Commission: 1. Declare the property a Historic-Cultural Monument per Los Angeles Administrative Code Chapter 9, Division 22, Article 1, Section 22.171.7 2. Adopt the report findings. S. GAIL GOLDBERG, AICP Dire~ of Planning ~U-' - Ken Bernstein, Manager Lambert M. Gi singer, Preservation Architect Office of Historic Resources Office of Historic Resources Attachments: October 23, 2007 Historic-Cultural Monument Application ( ( ".' 3820 Buena Park Drive CHC-2007~5948'-HCM Page 2 of 3 FINDINGS 1. The building "embodies the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method of construction" as an example of Streamline Moderne residential architecture. 2. The property is identified with a historic personage, with that of Howard Lydecker, a major contributor to the development of special effects in the film industry. CRITERIA The criterion is the Cultural Heritage Ordinance which defines a historical or cultural monument as any site (including significant trees or other plant life located thereon) building or structure of particular historic or cultural significance to the City of Los Angeles, such as historic structures or sites in which the broad cultural, economic, or social history of the nation, State or community is reflected or exemplified, or which are identified with historic personages or with important events in the main currents of national, State or local history or which embody the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method of construction, or a notable work of a master builder, designer or architect whose individual genius influenced his age. SUMMARY Built in 1939 and located in the Studio City area, this one-story residence (with lower level) exhibits character-defining features of Streamline Moderne architecture. The building is U- shaped in plan, oriented around a brick courtyard at the main entrance. The exterior is sheathed in stucco and features metal casement windows. The exterior features a hipped dormer and skylight above the main entrance, with a brick fireplace adjacent as well. A garage is located on the northeastern portion of the building. The proposed Lydecker House historic monument features a prominent, curved, living room wing on the primary facade, The wing consists of thin, multi-pane metal casement windows joining a band of horizontal grooved stucco; the windows and stucco create a horizontal band that spans most of the street-facing facade. There are also two smaller curved wings with the same features on the southwest and south facades, Character-defining features include: an overall horizontal emphasis, stucco wall surface, horizontal grooves or lines in walls, asymmetrical facade, curved corners, continuous windows around corners, glass blocks under the kitchen windows and a small round window on the south facade. The original owners of the house were Howard "Babe" Lydecker and his wife Kay Lydecker. Mr. Lydecker and his brother Theodore were "special effects geniuses" and were both known for their work in miniature special effects. His work earned him two Oscar nominations for Best Effects, for the movies Flying Tigers (1942) and Women in War (1940). Alterations to the subject property include the installation of a deck at the rear of the building. FINDINGS The Lydecker House successfully meets two of the specified Historic-Cultural Monument criteria: 1) "embodies the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type specimen, 3820 Buena Park Drive CHC-2007 -5948-HCM Page 3 of 3 inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method of construction" and 2) is associated with a historic personage. While the subject building's exterior possesses some character defining features of the Streamline Moderne, the interior of the Lydecker house exhibits distinctive and intact Streamline Moderne design elements, including beamed ceilings, curved paneling, shelving, and round windows. Although its builder and original owner is not recognized as a noteworthy architect, the craftsmanship of Lydecker's work on the subject building must be noted. As a historical personage, Lydecker's contributions to the film industry and development of special effects appear to be noteworthy based on his accomplishments and recognition. BACKGROUND At its meeting of January 10, 2008, the Cultural Heritage Commission voted to take the application under consideration. On February 21, 2008, the Cultural Heritage Commission toured the subject property. ( Los Angeles Department of City Planning RECOMMENDATION REPORT CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION CASE NO.: CHC-2007-5948-HCM HEARING DATE: January 10, 2008 Location: 3820 Buena Park Dr. TIME: 10:00 AM Council District: 2 PLACE: City Hall, Room 1060 Community Plan Area: Sherman Oaks-Studio 200 N. Spring Street City-Toluca Lake-Cahuenga Pass Los Angeles, CA Area Planning Commission: South Valley 90012 Neighborhood Council: Studio City Legal Description: Lot 153 of TR 7497 PROJECT: Historic-Cultural Monument Application for the LYDECKER HOUSE REQUEST: Declare the property a Historic-Cultural Monument APPLICANT! Melissa and Jason Burks OWNER: 3820 Buena Park Drive Los Angeles, CA 91604 RECOMMENDATION That the Cultural Heritage Commission: 1. Take the property under consideration as a Historic-Cultural Monument per Los Angeles Administrative Code Chapter 9, Division 22, Article 1, Section 22.171.10 because the application and accompanying photo documentation suggest the submittal may warrant further investigation. 2. Adopt the report findings. S. GAIL GOLDBERG, AICP Director of Planning KeWanager ~r, PreservationArchitect Office of Historic Resources Office of Historic Resources Attachments: October 23, 2007 Historic-Cultural Monument Application ZIMAS Report 3820 Buena Park Drive CHC-2007 -5948-HCM Page 2 of 2 SUMMARY Built in 1939 and located in the Studio City area, this one-story residence (with lower level) exhibits character-defining features of Streamline Moderne architecture. The building is U- shaped in plan, oriented around a brick courtyard at the main entrance. The exterior is sheathed in stucco and features metal casement windows. The exterior features a hipped dormer