On Thursday morning, October 30th, the Cultural Heritage Commission voted 3 to 1 in favor of recommending to the City Council that the entirety of Griffith Park be designated a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument. Commissioner Glen Dake, a local landscape architect voted against the designation saying that many operational issues, including pending permits for work in the park, were not yet resolved. The other Commissioners and the Office of Historic Resources staff opined that a Commission action is required more on principle, and that further understandings with respective City Departments could be accomplished prior to the measure going to Council.
Council Member Tom LaBonge at the hearing
A large hearing room at City Hall was filled with supporters, including representatives from the Oaks Homeowners Association and other civic-minded Oaks residents. Fifty eight attendees filled out speaker cards for speaking in favor. Among them, Oaks President Bob Young expressed the Association’s position that the designation would give Colonel Griffith’s covenants further protection and assure the Park’s invaluable mix of natural, historic and cultural resources be preserved for future generations of Angelinos. Gerry Hans, past Oaks President, suggested most of the prior arguments against the designation had been addressed in the new staff report, and together with an acceptable Master Plan for the Park, operational issues would be clear.
In somewhat of a surprise move, Councilmember Tom LaBonge spoke in favor of the nomination. He previously had voiced concerns the entire Park should not be designated, rather that buildings and areas within the Park should be specified.
Much appreciation goes to the many folks and organizations that sent letters to Council District 4. Their staff said hundreds were received, with many coming from Oaks residents. Also, there are several organizations that deserve special recognition for their strong advocacy roles. They include the Parks, River and Open Space (PROS) Committee of the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council, the Los Feliz Improvement Association, and the Master Plan Working Group.
However, it’s not over until it’s over. The fate of the monument status is next in the hands of the Planning and Land Use Management Committee (PLUM) which is composed of Councilmembers Reyes, Huizar and Weiss. Afterwards, the full City Council will cast their vote. Stay tuned.
