A debate is intensifying in Hollywood's affluent Sunset Square neighborhood over its Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) designation, with critics arguing that stringent rules hinder renovations and inadvertently create vacant properties that attract crime, while supporters maintain the HPOZ is vital for preserving the area's architectural heritage.
Established in 2017, the Sunset Square HPOZ imposes an additional layer of zoning and design review, requiring homeowners to obtain board approval for external alterations to their properties. This process, intended to safeguard the neighborhood's historic Craftsman bungalows and Spanish Colonial Revivals, has led to frustration among some residents who find the permitting process burdensome and time-consuming. Critics contend that the resulting delays leave homes vacant for extended periods, turning them into magnets for illicit activities, a concern highlighted by a high-profile shooting that occurred outside a vacant property in 2021.
The conflict is framed as a microcosm of a broader debate across Southern California regarding the balance between addressing the housing crisis and preserving historic character. Proponents of the HPOZ, such as HPOZ board member Jonathan Cowan, assert that the guidelines are clearly defined and that most projects are approved promptly. He argues that projects stall primarily when they fail to meet established design review standards, emphasizing that the rules are necessary to maintain the neighborhood's historic integrity.
However, residents like JoAnn Koplin, who was instrumental in establishing the HPOZ, now express regret, citing the lengthy approval processes that have resulted in vacant lots and stalled renovations. Koplin herself faced an order to remove a low wall she built without prior board approval, a move she attributes to the prohibitive timelines for obtaining permits. Similarly, Kate Brown found her desired exterior paint color vetoed by the board, lamenting the restrictive nature of the regulations.
The neighborhood's HPOZ status has also created inconsistencies, with older, pre-HPOZ modifications, such as a brightly painted house or a tall hedge, existing alongside newer, more restricted properties. The debate also touches upon the controversial redevelopment of a property that was eventually destroyed by fire after reportedly undergoing unpermitted renovations. While official crime statistics in the immediate vicinity do not show an increase directly linked to the HPOZ, anecdotal evidence from residents points to ongoing issues with crime and vagrancy, particularly around vacant or stalled construction sites.
Despite these challenges, Laura Grenfell of the Sunset Square Neighborhood Organization highlights that numerous residents have successfully renovated their homes under the HPOZ, contributing to the area's appeal for film shoots and its overall value to the city. A spokesperson for the planning department further stated that the majority of HPOZ applications are processed efficiently, with a low percentage requiring full board review, suggesting that the perceived delays may be exaggerated for certain types of projects.
