MEETING OF THE LANDMARKS COMMISSION
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
|
DECEMBER 11, 2000 7:00 P.M. |
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS ROOM 213,
CITY HALL |
CALL TO ORDER: 7:07
1.
ROLL CALL Present: Commissioner Lehrer
Commissioner Schmidt
Chairperson
Alofsin
Chair
Pro Tem Bolton
Also
Present: Donna Jerex, Commission
Secretary
Absent: Commissioner Page
Commissioner
Posek
2.
REPORT FROM STAFF:
None
3. APPROVAL OF
MINUTES:
A. November 15, 2000
Commission
Lehrer moved to correct the section on the report from staff, which stated that
Ms. Jerex updated the Commission on the Preservation Element Conference, to the
National Trust Conference and approve the minutes. Commissioner Bolton seconded and the motion unanimously passed.
4. CONSENT
CALENDAR:
5. PUBLIC
HEARINGS:
A.
Structure of Merit Designation Application No. LC-00LM-010,
1507 19th Street. Public
hearing to consider a Structure of Merit Designation Application for a single
family residence located at 1507 19th Street. The Landmarks Commission will
determine, based on the application and research presented, whether the
application is appropriate for formal consideration. If the Commission determines that the application merits
consideration, a public hearing on the application for Landmark Designation
will be scheduled. (Continued from 11/15/2000)
Rosario Perry, Representing the
owners, stated that no one would really buy the property and
restore it in its place because the cost of restoration together with the
anticipated income from the use of the building, and any use that would be
allowed by the zoning in place, would produce approximately $40,000 to $46,000
per year in loss. He stated that the
Commission could not make the finding of Structure of Merit in good faith based
on the evidence before them that there is no way to save this property. Stated the building has been empty for
three years, and it is an economic hardship.
Stated they have looked for lots to move the building to and could find
nothing. Stated this building does not
qualify for a landmark.
Demitri Vergun, Structural
Engineer, stated that he was asked by the owner to look at the
building and determine what would make it safe and habitable. He stated that the building is unsafe at the
present time. Stated the exterior
sheeting is so weathered that it no longer functions as sheer paneling. Stated the building is supported on cripple
studs, the floors are not leveled, and a small earthquake would bring the
building down.
Arthur Peters, Member of the
Public, stated that the property couldn’t be used in its current
state. Stated the physical condition of
the property is very poor, the cost to renovate is excessive and the economic
justification to renovate isn’t there.
Also, if they could have sold the property to someone to renovate it,
they would have done so.
Commissioner Lehrer asked if the
developers had considered construction behind the house so that there could be
more intensive development of the site for income generating purposes. Mr. Peters stated they did research that idea,
and the numbers still didn’t work out.
Vincent Muselli, Commercial Real
Estate Broker, reiterated that all types of people looked at this
property, and as a result of the costs, wouldn’t buy it.
Mark Mitock, Owner and Founder/Director of Wilshire West School, stated that the school is no longer able to financially carry the building. Stated the school remains the only special education facility of its kind in Santa Monica. Stated that in 1997, a contractor gave the same diagnosis as Mr. Vergun -- an unsafe structure. Stated they explored fundraising options to save the group home, but the pledges were slim and the home closed. He asked the Commission to help them save their school and avoid economic hardship.
Marijane Mitock, Owner, stated
that there wouldn’t be much accomplished by delaying what ultimately could be
the fate of this structure to be demolished after whatever designated period of
time. It would only intensify and
increase the continued economic hardship of supporting this property.
Chuck Allord, Neighbors for Safer
Santa Monica, stated he didn’t see any damage from the earthquake
and it wasn’t red tagged. There is no
other house like this property.
Chair Alofsin stated that every
property in Santa Monica has structural faults that have not been upgraded, and
that the realtor should have pointed that out at the time. The buyers should have been aware.
Commissioner Schmidt stated that
based on the updated information from the consultant, she doesn’t feel the
building should be designated as a Structure of Merit.
Commissioner Lehrer stated she
feels the property should be designated as a Structure of Merit, and that it
meets the criteria. Stated she is
skeptical of the figures given. She
feels this property could work as a commercial development, which could combine
new construction with rehabilitation.
Stated it is a rare example of this kind of structure in that location
in Santa Monica and would like to take another look at what could be done with
the property.
Commissioner Bolton stated that
there is no future to the building and does not support the designation.
Chair Pro Tem Bolton moved to take
no action on the property. Commissioner
Schmidt seconded the motion.
No action was taken based on the
following vote:
Ayes: Schmidt, Bolton, Alofsin
Nayes: Lehrer
Absent: Page, Posek
6. DISCUSSION
ITEMS:
A.
Demolition Permits
1. 901
25th Street (PC010895)
R1
Single Family Dwelling
and Detached Shed
Structure not Identified
in Historic Resource Inventory
B. Planning
Commission Case List (Information Only)
7. COMMUNICATIONS: None
8. NEXT MEETING DATE AND COMMISSION
AGENDA: Monday, January 8, 2001
9. PUBLIC INPUT: (On items not on agenda and
within the jurisdiction of the Commission)
10. ADJOURNMENT: 8:05