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Hancock Park 
Homeowners Association 
est. 1948

  • 6 Jan 2016 8:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The arrival of rains driven by the El Niño weather system are predicted for southern California in January. Be sure you’ve:
    • Fixed leaks and clean out gutters and downspouts;
    • Paint exterior wood trim as cracks can carry water directly into the wood;
    • Check window glazing;
    • Store emergency repair materials;
    • Check tires, wipers, battery, light and brakes on your car;
    • Make sure your yard drains properly;
    • Have a ‘health check and risk assessment’ for your trees by an arborist. Because of the drought many trees are stressed and sick.
    • Secure important documents.

    Check out websites: http://www.water.ca.gov/ – California Department of Water Resources; http://www.ladbs.org – LA Dept of Building and Safety-Homeowners Guide for Flood, Debris Flow and Erosion Control; http://www.ready.gov – National Weather Service, LA County Preparedness – https://www.lacounty.gov/elnino and http://www.aaa.com – 3A’s.

    Your new HPHOA Board of Directors are: Patricia Alexander, Tim Allyn, Chris Bubser, Cindy Chvatal, Jennifer DeVore, Indy Flore, Greg Glasser, Peter Gorelick, Susan Grossman, Joel Kozberg, Joanne Medeiros, William Newby, Pam Newhouse, Susan Roth, Cami Taylor, Ben Thompson, Jon Vein, Victoria Vickers, James Wolf. The Board is looking forward to continuing the Association’s work on traffic mitigation, historic preservation, tree planting, and street repair. Join us on a committee!

    The HPOZ Preservation Plan -http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park regulates our HPOZ. Contact our City Planner, Renata Dragland (renata.dragland@lacity.org), and use the online form (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist) if you plan on making changes to the exterior of your house. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180.


  • 23 Nov 2015 8:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) has proposed closing Wilshire Blvd. for an extended period of time for subway construction. The community has so far been presented with two options: 1) Close Wilshire Blvd. completely for 7 full weeks; or 2) Close Wilshire Blvd. on weekends for 22 straight weekends. Both of these options will cause enormous disruption to traffic, residential neighborhoods and businesses. 

    The Council Office, along with the Association and other community organizations has been successful in getting the MTA to agree to do Traffic and Noise studies before making a decision. These studies are due to be completed and made available to the community in January of 2016. The Association will then conduct a survey of Hancock Park residents to determine which option we consider most reasonable, and to propose mitigation plans for ensuring that drivers won’t be funneled through our or neighboring communities. 

    With thoughtful planning and preparation it should be possible to direct traffic on to surrounding arteries rather than through residential streets. Please, go to the MTA website (https://www.metro.net/projects/westside/ ) and think through the options so you’ll be ready to vote when the survey invitation appears in your email box.


    While the Wilshire Division LAPD and our security services have been successful in lowering the recent increase in crime, it’s important that you keep yourself informed. Subscribe to the LAPD Wilshire Division Twitter Feed – https://twitter.com/LAPDWilshire and keep yourself up to date. Also, if there is a street light out, a sidewalk buckled, a pot hole, or a fallen tree file a Service Request with the City at My 311 – http://lacity.org/myla-311/myla-311-service-request . Councilman Ryu is working with the Association on developing a plan to repair our concrete streets and has promised to address the problems with dead and dying trees.


    If you’re thinking of changing the street visible exterior of your house, including hardscaping, find out if your changes are in keeping with our HPOZ. The Hancock Park Preservation Plan (http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park) is the legal document that regulates our HPOZ. Read it and then contact our City Planner, Renata Dragland (renata.dragland@lacity.org), and get her input. There is an online form which can start the process: http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist . Renata will then help you schedule a consultation with the HPOZ Board, made up of an architect and four of your neighbors. And El Nino is coming, so make sure your house, and yard are prepared – https://www.lacounty.gov/elnino

  • 22 Oct 2015 8:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Thanks to the folks at 3rd Street School, Councilman Ryu and his office, the LAPD, and the Tree People for helping make our annual meeting such a success. And, especially, thanks to Hancock Park residents for attending and participating in making our community a great place. Remember to volunteer for a committee!

    As anyone who drives the city knows, many neighborhoods are facing wholesale house teardowns replaced by huge, generic construction. That’s why our Hancock Park HPOZ is so important. Because of our HPOZ Hancock Park continues to maintain the unique architectural and historic structures that make us one of the most beautiful places to live in America. If you’re thinking of making changes to the exterior of your house, even ‘small’ changes, find out if your changes are in keeping with our HPOZ. The Hancock Park Preservation Plan (http://www.preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park) is the legal document that regulates our HPOZ. Read it and then contact our City Planner, Renata Dragland (renata.dragland@lacity.org), and get her input. There is an online form which can start the process: http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist . Renata will then help you schedule a consultation with the HPOZ Board, made up of an architect and four of your neighbors. Even if all you have is a vague idea contact Renata and get input. Remember, if your project is not correctly permitted and approved you can be forced to undo the changes at your own expense. The HPOZ Board meets at 6PM on the first and third Wednesdays of every month at the John C. Fremont Branch of the LA Public Library – 6121 Melrose Avenue (at June Street). These meetings are public meetings. The Preservation Plan for Hancock Park can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ).

    And, as the Tree People reminded us at the Annual Meeting, don’t let your trees die; water them deeply twice a month. Our trees are vitally important to our and the environment’s health. Remember, to keep you and your family safe by locking your house and car; not leaving items in plain sight, setting your house alarm (if you have one), and paying attention to any unusual activity. If you think a crime is happening call 911, DO NOT confront someone yourself. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or use the City’s Anti-Graffiti System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 or call Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180


  • 24 Sep 2015 8:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The HPHOA, est. 1948’s annual meeting will be at 7PM on Tuesday, October 20th at 3rd Street School. Our new Councilman, David Ryu, will be there to talk about Hancock Park’s priorities and how his office will be working with us. Many of the most important issues are already being worked on with the new Councilman’s Office. The Association is looking forward to moving ahead quickly with Councilman Ryu’s office on repaving our concrete streets, tree maintenance, parking, security, and all the other areas important to our neighborhood. The LAPD will talk about safety and how you can keep from becoming a victim of crime. There will be a presentation by a landscaping professional on how to make your yard and gardens more water wise and beautiful and a representative from Tree People will discuss how to care for our trees during the drought . There will also be presentations from Association Committee Chairs about Street Maintenance, Traffic and Historic Preservation and our HPOZ. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend.

    The Annual Meeting is also where the election of half of the Board of Directors is announced. Members in good standing, those who have paid their annual dues, will be receiving ballots in the mail. Please mark them and either mail them back or bring them to the Annual Meeting. The candidates nominated by the Board are: Tim Allyn, Greg Glasser, Peter Gorelick, Susan Grossman, William Newby, Cami Taylor, Ben Thompson, Jon Vein, and James Wolf. The profiles of the nominees can be found on the HPHA website.

    Many of Hancock Park’s old and stately trees are suffering from the effects of the drought. Please don’t forget to water your trees; even in the drought our trees are vitally important to our and the environment’s health. Remember, to keep you and your family safe by locking your house and car; not leaving items in plain sight, setting your house alarm (if you have one), and paying attention to any unusual activity. If you think a crime is happening call 911, DO NOT confront someone yourself. If you’re considering any changes to the street visible portion of your house, contact our City Planner, Renata Dragland (renata.dragland@lacity.org ) and fill out the online form – http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist to start the process. The Preservation Plan for Hancock Park can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180


  • 21 Jul 2015 8:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    As everyone in California knows we’re still in a severe drought. We’re all cutting back on landscape watering or removing lawns and replacing them with more appropriate plantings. However, this doesn’t mean we should starve our trees of water and let them die. Trees are one of the most important links that keep our planet healthy. They clean the air, the water, the soil, providing food and refuge for birds. They lower temperatures and produce the Oxygen we need to live. To produce this oxygen they take CO2 out of the air, helping to fight climate change. Trees don’t take a lot of water, unlike lawns, but they do need some water. An effective way to keep your trees watered correctly (by deep watering), without wasting water is to use Tree Watering Stakes. These stakes get the water underground and down to the tree roots quickly and efficiently. Please, remember to water your trees, deeply, twice a month. That’s all, and you’ll be keeping the planet cooler, cleaner and more livable.

    The LA Department of Building and Safety has launched two new websites for online access to building permits, Certificates of Occupancy and other building authorization documentation. If you have a question about any construction activity in your neighborhood, or if you want to find out if your contractor actually got that permit check these site to see what was approved. The website that describes this new facility is http://ladbs.org/LADBSWeb/online-building-records.jsf . The website for searching records is: http://ladbsdoc.lacity.org/idispublic/ .

    Remember, to keep you and your family safe by locking your house and car; not leaving items in plain sight, setting your house alarm (if you have one), and paying attention to any unusual activity. If you think a crime is happening call 911, DO NOT confront someone yourself. If you’re considering any changes to the street visible portion of your house, contact our City Planner, Renata Dragland (renata.dragland@lacity.org ) and fill out the online form – http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist to start the process. The Preservation Plan for Hancock Park can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ). And don’t forget to water your trees. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180


  • 26 May 2015 8:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    We welcome our new Councilman for Council District 4: David Ryu and congratulate him on his election. We also thank everyone who participated in this election, from attending a community forum, to putting up a lawn sign to voting. We thank all the candidates, particularly Carolyn Ramsey, for giving us real choices and for being willing to face the voters with their ideas. This election, and the primary, took a lot of attention and work from the not just the candidates, but all the community organizations that scheduled debates and other forums. We all win when people participate in their democracy.


    In his thank you to his voters Mr. Ryu highlighted the work of neighborhood canvassing done by residents, recognizing how important every citizen is to his election. Longtime CD4 deputy Renee Weitzer will be helping David with his transition and The Association will put a number of issues before our new Councilman: Concrete street replacement and repair, HPOZ enforcement, Traffic mitigation, and Parking relief. We look forward to working with our new councilperson and starting a new chapter in our community’s relationship with the Council Office and City.
    As we all know California is now in the fourth year of a terrible drought and many neighbors are looking at their lawns and landscaping and wondering if change may be at hand. Before embarking on an expensive tear-out of lawns and greenery, talk to a landscape architect and get a plan. A good place to start is the California Native Plant Society (http://www.cnps.org/) and the Theodore Payne Foundation (http://theodorepayne.org/) . 

    Also, remember, that as part of Hancock Park’s HPOZ changes to hardscape which may include artificial turf in the visible portion of your property, will need to be reviewed by the HPOZ Board. If you’re considering any changes to the street visible portion of your house, contact our City Planner, Kimberly Henry (kimberly.henry@lacity.org) and fill out the online form – http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist to start the process. The Preservation Plan for Hancock Park can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ).

    And don’t forget to water your trees. Drop for drop trees are the most efficient users of water there is. They clean the air, the soil and even the water. They provide shade, lowering temperatures and homes for birds. Trees only take one or two deep waterings a month, so commit yourself to keeping your trees healthy and happy. Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180

  • 24 Apr 2015 8:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Association’s Street Committee, chaired by Board Member Tim Allyn, is happy to announce that our most damaged intersections will finally be repaired by the City – IN CONCRETE! After seven years of continuous effort, Hancock Park been successful in getting money budgeted by the City for repairs in concrete rather than asphalt. Hancock Park’s HPOZ Preservation Plan, requires the protection of our historic, concrete, streetscape. Along with parkway trees, sidewalks, and curb cuts, our concrete streets are an important part of our historic neighborhood. And, concrete is more durable; properly installed concrete streets last more than 75 years and are cooler than asphalt. We thank Street Committee chair, Tim Allyn, and members, Jon Vein, David Cole, Ben Thompson, Joel Kozberg, William Newby, Cindy Chvatal and Jim Wolf, for their dedication and hard work. We’re lucky to have such great neighbors working on our behalf.

    There are two candidate remaining for the open City Council Seat for District 4: Carolyn Ramsey and David Ryu. The concrete street replacement is a good example of how important the Council Office is for maintaining our community. Please take a few minutes and decide which candidate best reflects your ideas about where the City should go and VOTE on May 19th

    Don’t forget now is the time to plant a tree. Even though we’re in a drought, trees only take one or two deep waterings a month and they provide shade, keeping our neighborhood cooler and more beautiful. The Association is starting an Elm Tree planting on Rossmore and other streets, so contact the Tree Committee on the Association website and find out more. If you’re considering any changes to the street visible portion of your house, contact our City Planner, Kimberly Henry (kimberly.henry@lacity.org) and fill out the online form – http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist to start the process. The Preservation Plan for Hancock Park can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180


  • 26 Feb 2015 8:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Our City Councilperson is one of the most important politicians we have representing us. Their ideas and actions guide how City Services are provided, where needed funding will be allocated, what kind of development will happen, how infrastructure will be maintained and a myriad of other areas. Our City Council Seat for District 4 is open and in the primary 14 candidates were on the ballot. There will now be two candidates competing in the May 19th election and it’s important that the right person be chosen. You can find more information about the candidates at CD4 Candidate Statements: http://graphics.latimes.com/towergraphic-candidates-city-council-district-4/
    Please take a few minutes, decide what candidate best reflects your ideas about where the City should go and VOTE on May 19th!

    Neighbors in Quadrant One (Lillian Way, Cahuenga and Wilcox), met to discuss options for managing the intersection of Rossmore and Clinton. The challenge was to balance safety with resident access to their neighborhood. The Department of Transportation will be modifying Clinton, westbound, at Rossmore so that only right turns will be allowed. The crosswalk will be removed and signage will be added to warn motorists to slow down. We’ve asked the Councilman to provide funding to move up the installation of left turn arrows at Rossmore and Melrose, reducing cut through traffic. After these measures are implemented the DOT will see if any further traffic safety measures are needed.

    Don’t forget now is the time to plant a tree. Contact the Tree Committee on the Association website to get a tree planted. If you’re considering any changes to the street visible portion of your house, contact our City Planner, Kimberly Henry (kimberly.henry@lacity.org) and fill out the online form – http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist to start the process. The Preservation Plan for Hancock Park can be found at: http://www.hancockparkhomeownersassociation.org/ or http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park ). Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180


  • 20 Jan 2015 8:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Larchmont Chronicle, the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Conservancy and many other publications and community organizations have highlighted the mansionization trend in Los Angeles. Houses are torn down and new, much larger structures are built in their place with little regard to the impact on their neighbors and the existing neighborhood. Homeowners wake up to an oversized structure next door to them that blocks their light, view and invades their privacy. Because of our Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) this is not a problem for Hancock Park. An HPOZ controls what kind of changes can be done to houses and limits the size of additions. It preserves the look and feel of our neighborhood keeping Hancock Park the beautiful area we all live in. It does take some planning and work, though, on the part of homeowners. It’s important that before making any changes to the street visible part of your house that you consult the Hancock Park HPOZ Preservation Plan (http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/la/hancock-park) and contact our City Planner, Kimberly Henry (kimberly.henry@lacity.org. Kimberly has a helpful online form that will start the process – http://preservation.lacity.org/hpoz/initial.screening.checklist.

    The HPOZ Board (all volunteers), is made up of Hancock Park residents, and a professional architect. It meets the first and third Wednesdays of every month, 6PM-8PM, at the John C. Fremont Library at June Street and Melrose. If you’re planning a change, contact Kimberly, and come in for a consultation, even if all you have is an idea and a sketch. The meetings are open and anyone interested in how the HPOZ process works in Hancock Park is invited to attend.

    Our City Council seat is open and the election is coming up soon. Attend the GWNC Candidate Debate on February 8th at 11AM at John Burroughs Middle School and learn more. Now is the time to plant a parkway tree. With all the rain we’ve had, the trees are looking wonderful, and a new tree will help purify the air, provide shade in the summer and make our streets beautiful. Contact the Tree Committee on our website for more information.

    Unfortunately, crime is still occurring in Hancock Park so please take precautions and sign up for the e-Policing newsletter – http://www.lapdepolicing.org/. Report street light outages to the city at: http://bsl.lacity.org/. Report potholes by submitting an online request at http://bss.lacity.org/request.htmBe sure and look at our website for news – http://www.HancockPark.org . Report graffiti sightings by calling 311 or at the City’s Anti-Graffiti Request System – http://anti-graffiti.lacity.org/welcome.cfm?CFID=1007&CFTOKEN=411CDB4F-0FC3-4EE1-89DE58DCCB435538 and by calling Hollywood Beautification, 323-463-5180 Questions regarding filming – contact Filming Committee, Cami Taylor (323-692-1414-Home and 310-659-6220-Office).


  • 19 Dec 2014 8:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Remember in the classic film It’s A Wonderful Life when George Bailey sees how different the world would have been if he hadn’t been there to change things? Well, we’d like to take this opportunity to share a few scenarios you’ve likely never imagined, but would absolutely be true if it hadn’t been for your Homeowner’s Association:

    • There would be a freeway running through the northern part of Hancock Park – In 1968 the HPHA fought the City and won, stopping the “Beverly Hills Freeway”.
    • The surrounding neighborhood may have become a sea of enormous commercial buildings – The HPHA helped develop the 1969 Master Plan for Wilshire Blvd. creating the land use protections that are still in place.
    • There would be no Highland Ave median – there would now be six lanes of traffic running down Highland from Melrose to Wilshire – In 1972 the HPHA was successful in saving the median by having it declared an Historic Monument.
    • There would be no HPOZ to protect our beautiful historic homes – From 1998 to 2007 the neighborhood and HPHA worked with the City to have our neighborhood designated an HPOZ (Historic Preservation Overlay Zone). This stopped teardowns and preserved the beautiful street visible facades of our historic homes.
    • There would be no neighborhood communication system, including email and Block Captain communications – Our email system is 800+ strong sending out important information, including helping hundreds of neighborhood pets find their way home.
    • Cut-through traffic would render parts of the neighborhood unlivable – The traffic mitigation on Melrose and Beverly would not be in place, and cut through speeding traffic would be even worse than it is! There would be no Crossing Guard for Third Streets School and Yavneh Academy.
    • Our neighborhood beautification projects would not be in place – Parkway trees would not be trimmed; stumps would not be removed and replacement trees would not be planted or maintained; Local School beautification of JB and 3rd Street would not have occurred and without our aggressive graffiti removal system, graffiti would be rampant.

    Please do your part to support this important work to ensure Hancock Park remains a wonderful oasis in a crowded city! The HPHA board is comprised of volunteers, but we need our residents to pay their dues to support our efforts on your behalf.

    You can now pay dues on line. Go to www.HancockPark.org and click on the DONATE button. Or use the dues envelope which will be included in our mailing! Don’t forget to include your email address!


Address: 137 North Larchmont Boulevard # 719, Los Angeles, CA 90004



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