Kings Road issues

The ongoing issues surrounding the development of new housing on North Kings Road have particular interest to me (Letters, Dec. 21). My grandfather, Arthur R. Kelly, was an architect who had built a home at 850 N. Kings Road in the 1920s.

That house was torn down long ago in order to build the condominium building that is now directly across from the Schindler House. Kelly built many notable homes and commercial buildings throughout the city from 1900 through the 1940s, including the William S. Hart ranch in Newhall.

I cannot with clear conscience say that the remaining homes on Kings Road, including No. 825, should not be demolished or moved. I believe that property owners have the right to do with their homes as they choose and, as long as they conform to building codes, they should be allowed to build a multiunit building where there was once a single-family home.

I also cannot say that I support the identification of the remaining homes on Kings Road as cultural landmarks. I say this only because I don’t know the details of those homes and why they are being considered as landmarks.

What is happening with 825 N. Kings Road appears to be a careful, though at times disagreeable, process of involving the community of concerned individuals. The selection of Lorcan O’Herlihy, an architect sensitive to Schindler’s design approach, shows that careful consideration is being applied to this project.

My primary concern is that if a home is demolished, or more hopefully moved and restored, what takes its place should be a multiunit design that is in keeping with the special artistic concerns of the community. Los Angeles, West Hollywood and so many other cities are artistically damaged when one person can develop a building that is built with little concern for aesthetics.

Christopher Guerrant

Hermosa Beach