MINUTES

 

MEETING OF THE

LANDMARKS COMMISSION

 

 

 

 

Monday, May 14, 2001

City Council Chambers

7:00 p.m.

1685 Main Street, Room 213

 

1.   ROLL CALL:                        7:05pm

 

                                                      Present:                 Commissioner Genser

                                                                                       Commissioner Page

                                                                                       Commissioner Posek

                                                                                       Commissioner Schmidt

                                                                                       Chair Pro Tem Bolton

                                                                                       Chairperson Alofsin

 

                                                      Also Present:       Donna Jerex, Acting Commission Sec.

                                                                                       Kimberly Christensen, Sr. Planner

                                                                                       Arlene Johnson, Staff Asst.

 

                                                      Absent:                  Commissioner Lehrer

                                               

2.   REPORT FROM STAFF:

Ms. Jerex informed the Commission that she received an email from Karen Ginsberg, the Assistant Director of Community and Cultural Services regarding 415 Pacific Coast Highway.  The Nuisance Abatement Board will be meeting on Thursday, May 17th at 2:00 in the Council Chambers regarding the demolition of portions of 415 PCH that are deemed to be unsafe.  These portions were identified for removal as part of the Council approved reuse plan for the site.  Landmarks Commission participated in this process. 

 

The Preservation Element is still scheduled for release by late summer.  Also, staff received two Mills Act applications on two single-family homes, which will be brought forward at a future meeting.  Ms. Jerex will make sure the owners can attend those meetings.  Also, Commissioners Page and Schmidt’s terms will expire on June 30, 2001.  There is a procedure that would allow them to serve additional terms, if desired.  If not, the City Clerk will post vacancies and forms can be found on line for those interested.

 

3.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

     

      A.  April 9, 2001

Commissioner Genser moved to approved the minutes with the following correction: Add the Library Mural item to tonight’s agenda under discussion items, which required 2/3 vote.  This item was omitted from the April minutes.  The motion passed by voice vote.

 

4.   CONSENT CALENDAR:

      Public Input Permitted

 

A.     Statement of Official Action:  Certificate of Appropriateness Application No. LC-01-CA-001 380 Santa Monica Pier to allow the following work at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier:  Removal of the existing Candy Cove building and attached Ticket Booth, and replacement of the building with a new open air canopy (maximum 14-foot high) for 2 game booths; construct a new (replacement) ticket booth with new signs; relocate the climbing wall; and add a new wind block fence constructed of wood and plexiglas (maximum 5’-6” high) around a portion of the existing open air dining patio, adjacent to the Pier’s promenade.

 

Chairperson Alofsin moved to approve the Statement of Official Action for 380 Santa Monica Pier.  Commissioner Page seconded and the motion passed by voice vote.

 

5.         PUBLIC HEARINGS:

Public Input Permitted

 

A.     Public hearing to consider a Landmark Designation Application for a structure located at 1333 Ocean Avenue. The Landmarks Commission will determine, based on the application and research presented, whether the structure should be designated a City landmark.

 

Late correspondence from the property owner dated May 9, 2001, was distributed to the Commissioners at the meeting, which reiterated his feelings regarding the property and the Commission’s decision.  He stated that the Landmarks Commission is charged with protecting and safeguarding the City’s cultural, social, economic, political and architectural history.  However, the property owner believed that the Landmarks Commissioners were unwilling to compromise to preserve this structure.

 

Commissioner Page stated that the property owner was aware of the Landmarks Commission process and potential for designation before he bought the property.   However, he agrees with the owner’s statement indicating he would probably lose the property anyway because the City didn’t come up with a solution to move the building.  He feels City Council will rule in favor of the owner that it is a financial hardship.

 

Commissioner Schmidt stated that many have spoken in the past about financial hardships.  However she feels that the City Council will agree with the Commission’s decision and will support staff findings.  Also, if the Commission doesn’t designate it now, the owner will be free to demolish it and the building would be lost for sure.

 

Commissioner Bolton feels we will lose the building in the end, and that is the gamble we take by not working with the applicant.  He stated, however, that the context of the building’s location is significant.

 

Commissioner Genser asked about the economic hardship procedure and the time line.

 

Donna Jerex stated that the economic hardship section is in the landmarks ordinance.  She stated this appeal would go to City Council within 45 days, and depending on the decision made, the owner could then file economic hardship, which could take up to a year to conclude.

 

Commissioner Schmidt moved to designate the property, 1333 Ocean Avenue, a landmark.  Commissioner Posek seconded and the motion passed.

 

Action was taken based on the following vote:

 

Ayes:        Genser, Page, Posek, Schmidt, Bolton, Alofsin

Nayes:      None    

Absent:     Lehrer

Commissioner Posek asked about the courtesy review process to notify residents of the rules of the Landmarks Commission before purchasing historic property.

 

Donna Jerex stated that the date for implementing that procedure is June 1st.  Staff must first make sure everything is correct from the City Attorney’s office.  The information would then be listed on the agenda under Discussion Items regarding potential demolitions.  The property owners could come to the meetings and hear the Commission’s comments.

 

Commissioner Bolton stated that he thinks information should be provided to realtors about the courtesy review process and about whether properties have landmark status, are in the historic resources inventory or that they require review if they are over 40 years old.  He also mentioned that his company is implementing this information in their Transfer Disclosure Statements.

 

Kim Christensen stated that as we move forward, one of the goals of the Preservation Element is to have further community outreach.  She stated there will be a variety of tools used to get this information out to the public, such as the website, brochures, handouts and flyers.  Also, this information is now available at the permit center in City Hall.

 

6.         OLD BUSINESS:  None

            Public Input Permitted

 

 

 

 

 

7.        DISCUSSION ITEMS:

Public Input Permitted

 

A.                 Demolition Permits

 

1.         420 Alta Ave (PC011637)

R1/Single Family Residential

1 Story, Single Family w/detached Garage

                                    Structure Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

Commissioner Genser moved to bring this item back next month for review.  Commissioner Posek seconded and the motion passed by voice vote.

 

                        2.         1726 Hill Street (PC011658)

                                    R1/Single Family Residential

                                    Single Family Residential w/ detached Garage

                                    Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

                        3.         502 22nd Street (PC011652)

                                    R1/Single Family Residential

                                    1 Story, Single Family w/detached Garage

                                    Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

                        4.         1112 Montana Ave (PC011564)

                                    C2/Neighborhood Commercial

                                    Single Family Dwelling w/Garage

                                    Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

                        5.         1315 26th Street (PC011569)

                                    R2/Low Density Multiple Residential

                                    Single Family Residential w/detached Garage

                                    Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

6.                  738 22nd Street, (PC011570)

R1/Single Family Residential

1 Story, 2 Car Garage

                                    Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

 

B.        Planning Commission Case List (Information Only)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.         COMMUNICATIONS: 

 

B.        Commissioner Genser gave background information on the Stanton MacDonald Wright Mural that is currently stored at the Smithsonian Institute.  He stated that 2 months ago, City Council recommended incorporating a portion of the mural into the library and he is seeking the Landmarks Commission’s support.  He also stated he would like to serve as liaison to the Arts Commission and Library Board.

 

Genser moved for approval, and Commissioner Posek seconded.  The motion passed by voice vote.

                       

A.        Article from Doris Sosin/North of Montana Neighborhood Association – “The Battle of Carnegie Hall,” from New York Magazine.

 

 

9.      FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:  Requests from Commissioners to add items to upcoming agendas.

 

10.       NEXT MEETING DATE AND COMMISSION AGENDA: Monday, June 11, 2001

 

11.       PUBLIC INPUT: (On items not on agenda and within the jurisdiction of the Commission)

 

Barbara Schnitzler, member of the public, stated she is worried about the property at 2021 La Mesa Drive.  She is concerned that it may be bought and possibly torn down.  Stated the house is a John Byers, and she feels the house should be designated either individually as a structure of merit or as part of a historic district before any sale takes place in order to save the structure.  She stated she would also like to seek creating a historic district, which would include 6 homes on La Mesa Drive and the John Byer’s office at 246 26th Street.  She stated the designation could increase public awareness of the city.

 

Commissioner Schmidt stated that in the past, neighbors didn’t think it was a good idea to create a historic district in that area.  She suggested that Ms. Schnitzler speak to her neighbors and see how they feel about the idea.

 

Ms. Schnitzler stated that there might be two homes that may object because of economic hardship.  However, she will talk to them and believes they will be in favor of it.  Stated she also spoke to NOMA and said they support the idea.

 

Commissioner Posek stated that he doesn’t see a problem with at least designating this property a structure of merit based on the name of the architect.  He also stated that anyone who bought the house would have a very difficult time demolishing it.  He recommended polling the neighbors first to get additional support.

 

Commissioner Genser stated that one of the priorities would be to develop a list that would show the pros and cons of having a historic district, etc.

 

Commissioner Bolton stated that we should proceed with caution, and recommended obtaining additional support of the neighborhood as well.

 

Donna Jerex will bring background information on the district to the next meeting and send information to Ms. Schnitzler and her neighbor at 2021 La Mesa Drive.

 

12.       ADJOURNMENT:  8:20 p.m.

 

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