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LOS ANGELES CONSERVANCY Preservation Report Card | 2014

The recession greatly hindered progress in preservation.

Historic preservation programs were far from immune to the recession of
the late 2000s. Local budget reductions led to changes such as reducing
the number of planning staff, eliminating the position of a dedicated
preservation planner, eliminating a dedicated Historic Preservation Com-
mission and transferring its duties to the existing Planning Commission,
and indefinitely postponing specific preservation efforts such as creating
historic districts. Despite the recent upturn in the economy, many of these
negative impacts remain today, significantly hindering communities’
preservation efforts.

Some postwar communities think they have no historic resources.

We spoke with a number of local representatives who simply maintain that
their community has no historic resources because it is relatively young.
Yet each jurisdiction should view its built heritage through the lens of its
own historical development, not in comparison to older communities.

All jurisdictions within Los Angeles County have
places that are at least fifty years old, which is the
typical threshold for assessing historical signifi-
cance. Postwar development is a critical part of the
county’s rich heritage. We encourage younger com-
munities to conduct historic resources surveys to
identify potential historic and cultural resources
before they are lost.

We have a long way to go.

While the Conservancy saw some improvement
between 2003 and 2008, in the past five years,
progress in preservation programs has slowed
throughout the county, largely for reasons noted
Top: John Byers Adobe (1924), above. The Conservancy recognizes the need for proactive work in com-
a designated Santa Monica Landmark.
munities, and we will be reaching out with more resources, tools, and tech-
Photo courtesy Santa Monica Conservancy.
nical assistance. Our new Digital Report Card will help in this effort, but
Bottom: Some communities or neighborhoods we will also pursue other proactive outreach. For more information on
may not think they have any significant buildings,
how communities can improve their grades, see page 13.
because they developed primarily after World War II.
Yet more resources from the recent past are gaining
recognition, such as the remaining Los Encinos Homes
in Woodland Hills. These 1976 homes were identified
as a potential Historic Preservation Overlay Zone
(historic district) in the City of Los Angeles’ SurveyLA.
Photo by Adrian Scott Fine/L.A. Conservancy.

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