11.4 Cultural Affairs Approval

PURPOSE

The purpose of this section is to help the Project Manager obtain Cultural Affairs Commission approval for projects.

REFERENCES

N/A

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Project Manager (PM): The PM is responsible for obtaining approval of the project by the Cultural Affairs Commission. The Architectural Division is a great resource to draw upon in obtaining approval. The Architectural Division will provide assistance in obtaining Cultural Affairs approval upon request by the PM. 

• Project Engineer (PE): On large or complex projects the PM may bring in a Project Engineer (PE) to assist the PM with his/her responsibilities. 

• Architectural Division: The Architectural Division is a great resource to draw upon to review the project prior to the PM soliciting Cultural Affairs approval. 

• Cultural Affairs Commission: By appointment, the architectural staff of the Cultural Affairs Commission is willing to conduct a Pre-submittal Conference to assist, review, and give guidance to the applicants and City Department representatives at an early stage and prior to the formal review process. Those interested should contact the Cultural Affairs Commission architectural staff to arrange a meeting.

PROCEDURE

This procedure provides guidelines for processing and obtaining approval of projects by the Cultural Affairs Commission. Approval of the Cultural Affairs Commission must be obtained when any construction is to be done above the ground surface on any public property owned by the City of Los Angeles, including public rights-of-way, ownerships, and land leases. The Cultural Affairs Commission considers the following criteria in evaluating Architectural submissions:

1. Submissions should show an awareness of the responsibility of the public sector to set an example of social and architectural quality by leadership in raising the general design standards.

2. The design style of a building or complex should be expressive of its function and true to the nature of activities it contains.

3. The materials used should be of the best quality available, within budget, and appropriate to the character of the architecture of the neighborhood. City projects should be a beacon of civic pride in the neighborhood.

4. The project should complement the surrounding area’s buildings, streets, and landscape. If the architect feels that the project, because of its special qualities, need not be compatible with the context, he/she should be purposeful in his/her deviation from context.

5. Within the context of the project, the individual structures should relate to one another in compatible design styles and all details of design should relate to the overall character of the architecture.

6.  Special care should be given to landscaping to create a pleasant and secure environment, both for the people who work at the project site and for those who visit or pass by. Considerations should be made to insure the hardscape and landscape is easy to maintain. 

The PM may request the Architectural Division to assist in the submission of plans to the Cultural Affairs Commission. Regardless of whether the PM or the Architect submits the plans, the process as described below must be followed. 

The approval process requires three review steps: conceptual approval, final approval, and final clearance. 

Preliminary Early Review (Optional) 

This step may be used to seek Cultural Affairs Commission guidance in advance of the formal approval process (Attachment 11.4-3). No fee is required. 

Mayor’s Design Advisory Panel (MDAP), (Attachment 11.4-3, Page 2), (Optional). 

Conceptual Approval

The PM submits the following items per Attachments 11.4-1, 11.4-3 and 11.4-4 as early as possible in the concept/schematic design phase:

1. One completed application form

2. Written narrative describing the design and how it acknowledges and supports the existing and intended contextual environment and other pertinent issues

3. Location Map indicating the area of the city in which the project is located

4. Vicinity Map indicating at least a four-block radius and significant projects, features and other relevant issues affecting the project

5. Site Plan, at an appropriate scale, to clearly represent all features of the site and significant design issues

6. Plan drawings, at an appropriate scale, of all significant items or floor levels necessary to clearly represent the design intent

7. Landscape Plans and Art Component, if applicable. The Art Component is a color rendering or a model (see Procedure 11.5 – “1% for Arts” Program)

8. Elevation drawings, at an appropriate scale, of all necessary sides of the building or item to clearly represent the design intent

9. Section drawings, at an appropriate scale, as deemed necessary by the Designer

10. Color photographs of the site and the surrounding area and buildings to clearly represent the context of the design

11. Perspective rendering or working model

The intent of this approval is to review the design as early as possible, thus benefiting the City and the Designer. It is the PE’s responsibility to address design issues early and comprehensively. At this step, the Cultural Affairs Commission determines whether the project is a Significant Project requiring Concept/Schematic Approval. 

A review fee is not normally required for City originated projects. All City department submissions shall pay a fee only if reimbursable from a Revolving, Trust, Bond, or Capital Improvement Fund (Attachment 11.4-1). 

(The fee can be waived for certain projects if they meet the requirements of the Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 11.08 (a). A letter requesting such a waiver is submitted to the Commission at the Conceptual Approval step. Unless fees are waived, the PM must obtain an Interdepartmental Order (IDO) to the Commission to transfer funds to cover all design review fees.) 

Final Approval

The PM submits the following items per Attachments 11.4-2 and 11.4-4 at the end of the Design Development phase:

1. Completed application form

2. Response to comments made by the Cultural Affairs Commission at the previous review

3. Finalized version of the materials check list required for the Conceptual Approval

4. Color and material samples for all finishes: Interior & exterior (colors must be accurate)

5. Landscape and Signage Plans, at an appropriate scale, to clearly represent the design intent and coordination with building design

6. Art Component (color rendering and/or model), if applicable (see Procedure 11.5 – “1% for Arts” Program)

7. Color Perspective and/or a Model to aid in visualizing the project. Colors and details must be accurate. The Commission may require a model for certain projects. 

This submission is the final design approval for the Designer to continue with the design of the project through construction documents.

Final Clearance

The PM submits the following items at the end of the construction document phase. This is the final Cultural Affairs Commission over the counter review to insure all the comments have been incorporated into the design and no alterations were made that deviate from the final Cultural Affairs Commission approval.

1. All items from the Final Approval

2. Complete set of Construction Documents

This submittal is an enforcement check. Once final approval is obtained, the Cultural Affairs Committee will stamp the plans and sign off on the Department of Building & Safety Clearance Worksheet.

RELATED PROCEDURES

• Procedure 7.1 – Analysis of Alternatives 

• Procedure 11.5 – “1% for Arts “Program

LINKS / ATTACHMENTS

Links

N/A

Attachments