Are Developers Following ALL EPIA Guidelines?

NO!  Traffic & guest street parking have not been addressed.  All trees & natives will be torn down!

 ECHO PARK IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION'S POSTED DESIGN GUIDELINES

The Echo Park Improvement Association has posted these design guidelines for developers.  NOTE: Echo Park Neighbors' emphasis in bold below and  *** Annotations inserted by Echo Park Neighbors.

Echo Park Design Guidelines

Developers are members of the Echo Park community, and are entitled to the same access to, and respect from the community that any stakeholder is entitled to.  The Echo Park Improvement Association (EPIA) strives to help find a balance between development goals and the goals of the community, and produce the best projects possible.  EPIA encourages developers to meet with us early and often to get input from us and our community’s vast experience and resources.

Background:

Development projects coming before EPIA often request, and are more often given input, regarding architectural design.  The architecture and scale of buildings in Echo Park is one of the features that so many of our stakeholders cherish.  In reflecting on the value of what we have, EPIA recognizes that:

A significant component of the quality of life for a community is based on the perceived value of the investment made into buildings and the land where they are sited.
Echo Park is an area that is architecturally rich.  The beauty and scale of its structures is the result of historic development, and reflects styles that span more than a century.  The styles and designs that are valued today reflect the styles that were, at the time they were built, contemporary styles.
While some micro neighborhoods like the Angelino Heights Historic Preservation Overlay Zone have specific architectural styles, in general, there is no style that is specific to Echo Park.  It is eclectic.
Historic architecture that is perceived to be successful or “classic” today usually reflects the materials and craftsmanship that were “state of the art” when they were built.
Architectural Guidelines

EPIA encourages design that incorporates:

Architectural “Vision” – with design that is fresh and contemporary, or design that reinterprets the historic with a fresh, contemporary approach.  While accurate reproduction of historic design is a wonderful concept, it is very expensive, and can fail the test of time if compromised by budgetary limitations.
Development that respects and is appropriate relative to the mass & scale (height, floor area ratios), of what exists in the immediate areas surrounding the proposed development.
The use of high quality or state-of-the-art materials and craftsmanship appropriate for the structure being built, with particular attention paid to windows and finish.
A 100 year view:  That the design you build today will be something your grandchildren will be proud of.
General Design Considerations:

Community Outreach: We strongly encourage developers to canvass an area at least a block around your project providing adequate opportunity to inform neighbors of your plans, building support wherever possible, and inviting all neighbors to participate with the EPIA through attendance of Neighborhood Issues Committee meetings or letters.

Echo Park/Silver Lake Community Plan: The community had a lot of input into this plan.  Its roadmap in general is a reflection of the community’s vision for future development.  Study the plan, and ask about its intent whenever possible.  In general, variances from the plan will be viewed with great scrutiny.

Historic Preservation: In general, we see value in every structures built here over the last 100 years, even when others don’t.  Our definition of historic includes the humble cottages and the abodes of the anonymous, not just grand buildings or the homes of the famous.  Each structure from the past contributes to the historic fabric of the neighborhood, and tells a story of our unique past.  “Restoration” is our favorite word.  Our two second favorite words are “Adaptive Reuse.”

*** (Annotation:  The existing "humble cottages" were built in the 1930's -- These will all be demolished to make room for the 18 units.)

Plans to demolish should not be taken lightly.  When historic structures are in the way, we seriously encourage you to explore relocation as the first option.  If this is not possible, salvage is encouraged.

Where historic structures are involved, we suggest consultation with the Echo Park Historical Society: www.historicechopark.org.

Parking: Our neighborhood was originally designed and conceived around public transportation, which meant little or no off-street parking.  Due to the current automotive nature of our society, parking is currently deficient in the neighborhood.  All new development is encouraged to provide adequate parking based on real life requirements, which often means more parking than required by the City of Los Angeles.

*** (Annotation:  Although the proposed development will house 2 cars each, "guests" parking on the narrow streets have not been considered.)

Landscaping: We have a lot of trees in the neighborhood.  Many planted through community-led volunteer efforts.  The community is sensitive to appropriate landscaping, and respect for existing native and heritage trees.

*** (Annotation:  Many strong, beautiful trees that have adorned Vestal/Preston for years will all be torn down.)

Environment: Energy Star compliance is a minimum goal.  Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) compliance is suggested: http://www.usgbc.org/

Traffic: Ingress and egress, relative to existing traffic conditions, are encouraged to be thought through carefully.

*** (Annotation:  Existing traffic conditions in the surrounding Vestal/Preston/Avalon/Baxter/Echo Park Ave. areas have NOT been thought through carefully!)

ADA Readiness: Buildings that are required to be ADA compliant for access are encouraged to provide an appropriate number of ADA ready (not adaptable) units and ADA parking spaces.