Deborah McGill became the City’s Planning Department representative for the Carthay Square HPOZ in May 2023. Learn more about Deborah from her conversation with Peter Merlin, Carthay Square resident and HPOZ board member.

Where did you first study City Planning and what interested you about it?

I studied Historic Preservation Planning at Cornell University. I had been a Studio Art and History major in undergrad. I came from a family of architects (grandfather and two uncles) so initially, I contemplated going into that field but discovered after a couple of architectural design classes that I was less interested in designing buildings than studying their significance in context of the past and the present. In between undergrad and grad school, I interned in Washington D.C. at the American Planning Association where I found out about programs in Preservation Planning and subsequently enrolled.

Where did you work before coming to City Planning in Los Angeles?

Prior to working in the Planning Department in Los Angeles, I did preservation field work in upstate New York and Delaware County, Pennsylvania, worked as an assistant project manager on housing rehabilitation loan programs (across the boroughs and on Harlem Brownstone auction) in New York City, did economic consulting work related primarily to housing, reviewed permits for compliance with redevelopment plans of the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency, and did volunteer work for Altadena Heritage (completed National and State Register forms for a historically significant sites).

How long have you been involved with HPOZ’s?

HPOZ’s are new to me. Many facets are familiar, such as guidelines for construction projects. The concept of identifying areas of significance is also something I had done in fieldwork in other areas.

In your opinion, what should people be most aware of in coming before the Board with architectural projects or in their interaction with the OHR?

With regards to people coming before the Board, I think it is important for applicants to remember that members of the Board are there to support their community. The review is based on carefully thought-out guidelines by public entities and that the applicants can find support and information about what they wish they do from both the public entities and from the Board who is very familiar with what makes their community. It helps the process if they come prepared with what they are going to show to the Board with that in mind. With that preparation, it is the hope that the applicant can proceed with their project as designed or they get to see their project in a different light with a new suggestion that supports its success.

What are your hours and what is the best way to reach you with questions?

My hours are 8 to 5:30 daily (every other Monday I’m not in the office). Communication is fine through email or phone.

My email address is deborah.mcgill@lacity.org, and my phone number is 213-682-6369. The HPOZ website https://preservation.lacity.org/historic-preservation-overlay-zones-hpozs  is also a great place to find out more about the HPOZ program and the Carthay Square HPOZ, along with examples of successful projects and FAQS.