Self Realization Fellowship (ENV-2025-6443-CE)

The proposed project includes the rehabilitation, expansion, and construction, use, and maintenance of historic church-related facilities measuring approximately 16,404 square-feet of new construction. This scope includes an addition to the existing Self Realization Fellowship International Headquarters building, a new garden and maintenance workshop consisting of two connected wings, garden shrine, mechanical central plant, fire pump room, and a pedestrian bridge/walkway within an existing garden. The project also includes an entry kiosk and the reconstruction of the historic Cable Car Building with a basement addition, and remodel of the existing visitor center, following the demolition of approximately 3,773 square-feet of existing floor area, on a 543,278.2-square-foot lot that is within the Mount Washington-Glassell Park Specific Plan area. The project would result in a net addition of 12,631 square-feet and a total of 44,853 square-feet. Although the site comprises approximately 12.47 acres of lot area, the project scope is limited to a portion of the site that is approximately 3.5 acres. As a project located on a portion of a site that is less than or equal to five (5) acres, the proposed scope of work is eligible for a Class 32 Categorical Exemption. Additionally, the project site has been identified as a historic resource by the City of Los Angeles and is improved with designated Historic Cultural Monument No. 845 (Self-Realization Fellowship International Headquarters / Mount Washington Hotel). Per an email from Office of Historic Resources (OHR) staff dated October 11, 2024, a Secretary of the Interior’s Standards Compliance Report was prepared for the project by Jenna Snow, Historic Preservation Consulting, in August 2024. The Report was reviewed by OHR and staff confirmed in this email that the report is acceptable. As a project involving the rehabilitation, maintenance, and reconstruction of a historical resource consistent with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards, the proposed scope of work is eligible for a Class 31 Categorical Exemption. Approximately 10,361 cubic yards of total grading is proposed in conjunction with an application for a haul route for the export of approximately 7,505 cubic yards of earth. The proposed grading for cut is 8,933 cubic yards and the proposed grading for fill is 1,428 cubic yards. A project requires a haul route when a site is located in the Hillside Area or a Special Bureau of Engineering (BOE) Grading Area and involves the import or export of earth material of 1,000 cubic yards or more. The subject site is located within the Hillside Area and a Special Bureau of Engineering (BOE) Grading Area and proposes the export of approximately 7,505 cubic yards of earth. Therefore, a haul route is required. Additionally, the project proposes a total of 34 retaining walls, 12 of which are new walls, 14 of which are full or partial replacements of existing walls (some of which are block walls), five (5) of which are decorative garden walls, and three (3) of which are small walls to protect trees on the property. The proposed retaining walls range from 15 feet to 210 feet in length and range from 0.5 feet to 9.9 feet in maximum height above finished grade. The Applicant retained an arborist to perform a survey of trees on and adjacent to the project site. Per the Arborist Report that was prepared by Christy Cuba, ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #502; Cy Carlberg, ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #405; Scott McAllaster, ISA Certified Arborist #WE7011A; and Daniel Cowell, Staff Arborist; dated March 4, 2026, there are 45 street trees in the adjacent public right-of-way, 93 Protected Trees on-site, and 1,164 non-protected trees on-site. There are also 20 off-site private property trees. 10 Protected Trees (four (4) Southern California Black Walnuts, one (1) Coast Live Oak, two (2) Mexican Elderberry shrubs, and three (3) Toyon shrubs) are proposed for removal and 40 Protected Trees (16 Southern California Black Walnuts, four (4) Coast Live Oaks, eight (8) Mexican Elderberry shrubs, and 12 Toyon shrubs) are proposed for replacement on the subject lot. The Arborist Report was reviewed, and the Urban Forestry Division Referral Form was signed by Urban Forestry Division staff on March 20, 2026. Additionally, Urban Forestry Division staff stamped a Tree Replacement plan on April 9, 2026. This environmental analysis does not authorize the removal of any street trees without the prior approval of Urban Forestry, in compliance with LAMC Section 62.9169 and 62.170 and their applicable findings.