News Summary
Chabad of North Beverly Hills has been given four months to finalize a rehabilitation plan for its historic synagogue on Wilshire Boulevard. The Planning Commission’s recent meeting highlighted ongoing concerns about parking space requirements for the building, originally constructed as a bank in 1959. While Chabad obtained a Historic Incentive Permit to bypass some parking requirements, costs have surged, prompting a request for further relief. The commission is set to revisit the matter in November, where the future of the restoration plans will be determined as they aim to preserve the building’s unique character.
Beverly Hills – Chabad of North Beverly Hills has been granted approximately four months to finalize a rehabilitation and restoration plan for its synagogue located on Wilshire Boulevard. This decision was made during the Beverly Hills Planning Commission meeting held on July 10, as concerns regarding parking space requirements for the historic building continue to occupy city officials.
The synagogue resides within a historic landmark building at 9145 Wilshire Blvd., which Chabad acquired in 2017. Established in 2014, this site is recognized as a historic landmark and was originally constructed for the Ahmanson Bank & Trust Company in 1959. The building features distinctive architectural elements, including prominent mosaics, exquisite Italian marble cladding, ceramic-fired gold tiles, and stained glass, designed by acclaimed architect Millard Sheets, who is honored as one of Beverly Hills’ Master Architects.
According to the Beverly Hills Municipal Code, Chabad was required to provide a total of 174 parking spaces to operate the synagogue effectively. However, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Shusterman expressed the organization’s challenge in meeting these requirements at the Wilshire location. To address this issue, Chabad was advised to apply for a Historic Incentive Permit (HIP), which they successfully obtained in 2019. This permit allows the organization to bypass the stringent parking requirements in exchange for committing to the restoration and rehabilitation of the historic building.
Despite securing the permit, Shusterman indicated that the costs associated with the restoration have exceeded initial expectations. In light of these financial concerns, Chabad has requested relief from the obligation to provide the required parking spaces, citing that other religious institutions in the city often operate with fewer parking spots available. Notably, many members of the Orthodox congregation do not drive to synagogue due to religious beliefs, which also supports Chabad’s arguments concerning parking.
City officials have noted that as of the last review, Chabad had not submitted key materials necessary for the HIP, including specific timelines and project plans related to the rehabilitation efforts. Commissioner Myra Demeter pointed out that the organization had not fulfilled its obligations regarding the permit, which has drawn attention from the commission.
The commission’s chair, Jeff Wolfe, suggested that the difficulties surrounding the project may have stemmed from a miscommunication regarding the requirements associated with the permit. However, the commission has unequivocally maintained the necessity for Chabad to provide a comprehensive rehabilitation and restoration plan for the building moving forward.
Looking ahead, the matter will be revisited at the commission’s meeting scheduled for November, at which Shusterman is expected to present the required documentation and proposed rehabilitation plan. The outcome of this meeting will be pivotal in determining Chabad’s ability to proceed with their plans for restoring and preserving the historic synagogue while addressing parking requirements laid out by city officials.
In summary, the Chabad of North Beverly Hills faces both challenges and deadlines as they work towards securing a viable future for their historic synagogue, sharing the city’s commitment to preserving the unique character of Beverly Hills while navigating the complexities of urban development.
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Additional Resources
- Beverly Hills Courier: Chabad Must Submit Additional Plans
- Wikipedia: Beverly Hills, California
- COLlive: Moving Event Organized by Chabad
- Google Search: Chabad North Beverly Hills
- Jewish Journal: Westwood’s Model Matzah Factory
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Synagogue
- Beverly Hills Courier: Ambulance Dedication at Chabad
- Google News: Chabad Beverly Hills
