MINUTES

 

MEETING OF THE

LANDMARKS COMMISSION

Founded 1875

“Populus felix in urbe felici”

 

 

 

 

Monday, July 9, 2001

City Council Chambers

7:00 p.m.

1685 Main Street, Room 213

 

CALL TO ORDER                  7:12 p.m.

 

1.   ROLL CALL:                     Present:                   Commissioner Genser

                                                                                    Commissioner Lehrer

                                                                                    Commissioner Posek

                                                                                    Commissioner Schmidt

                                                                                    Chairperson Alofsin

                                                   Absent:                    Commissioner Schnitzler

                                                                                    Chair Pro Tem Bolton

                                                   Also Present:          Kimberly Christensen, Sr. Planner

                                                                                    Arlene Johnson, Staff Assistant III

 

2.   INDUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONER: BARBARA SCHNITZLER    (continued to next month)

 

3.   SELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001-2002  (continued to next month)

 

4.   REPORT FROM STAFF:

Regarding the Planning Commission caselist, Kim Christensen, staff liaison stated that she spoke to Sr. Planner, Paul Foley regarding the property at 401 Montana Avenue.  He stated that the applicant had indicated that he would withdraw the application.  She stated until we actually have the withdrawal letter, staff couldn’t close out the file. 

 

She also stated that Commissioner Schmidt’s position would continue to July 24, 2001, and Barbara Schnitzler’s term would begin June 30th.

 

There was discussion from the Commission regarding how to best notify the public of the landmarks process when applying for demolition and building permits.  Staff passed around a copy of the existing brochure regarding the Landmarks process and suggested that staff could update it.  She also suggested the Commission’s feedback on the design and content.

 

Commissioner Genser stated that a handout was needed for community outreach and to provide to the Board of Realtors.  Ms. Christensen stated that staff is working on this issue and will try to have more information at next month’s meeting.

 

Ms. Christensen also stated that the appeal of 1333, which was originally scheduled for June 26, 2001, had been rescheduled.  Staff received a request from the property owner and his attorney, waiving their right to the time frame, which was allowed.  City Council granted a time extension of an additional 45 days.  This item will now be heard at the City Council meeting on August 14, 2001.

 

5.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

      Public Input Permitted

     

A.     June 11, 2001

Commissioner Posek moved to approve the minutes with a correction on page 5 of the minutes to indicate the Civic Center working group meeting was held on July 1st instead of July 2nd, and Commissioner Genser requested that the minutes be amended to reflect that the Civic Auditorium was to be discussed at the July’s meeting.  This item will be agendized for the August 13th meeting. Commissioner Genser seconded and the motion passed by voice vote with Commissioner Schmidt abstaining. 

 

6.   CONSENT CALENDAR: None

      Public Input Permitted

 

7.   PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

      Public Input Permitted

 

A.  Certificate of Appropriateness Application No. LC-01-CA-003, 380 Santa Monica Pier, to allow the following work at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier:  Installation of a 48-foot wide by 11-foot high mural painted on plywood (entitled “Year of the Ocean” painted by the marine life artist Wyland) to be located on the north and west facing walls of the restroom building, adjacent to the Pier’s promenade.

 

       Stacey Glazer, Pacific Park, stated that Wyland, who is a known marine life artist,  offered to donate the mural to the Pier.  She stated this is an interactive mural with community involvement, and has ties to Camp Bay Watch and Heal the Bay.  She stated Pacific Park feels the mural is appropriate because of the California Grey whales, and would be a great addition to the Pier.   In addition to the mural, they would also feature a Wyland section in their retail outlet, and part of the proceeds would go to Camp Bay Watch. 

 

       Jerry Rubin, member of the public, agrees that the mural would be a good environmental thing.  He stated he has a problem with the fact that the money would go to the group, Camp Bay Watch.  He felt this issue should go before the Arts Commission. 

 

       Commissioner Schmidt stated the mural is a good idea, however she is not sure about the Arts Commission involvement. 

 

       Commissioner Genser stated he would like to continue this item for 30 days, and see if the Arts Commission should be involved.

 

       Commissioner Posek stated it would be a nice addition. 

 

       Commissioner Lehrer concurred with Commissioner Genser.  She stated it is a major public work of art, and would like to consult with the Arts Commission as well. 

 

       Chairperson Alofsin agreed that the Arts Commission should be consulted.  However she is concerned that there will be some opposition to the mural.

 

       Commissioner Schmidt suggested that staff first consult with the Cultural Services Division regarding the appropriateness of the Arts Commission considering the proposed mural.

 

       Commissioner Genser moved to continue this item, so that staff could contact the Arts Commission to verify if their inclusion of approval was necessary, and bring back to next month’s meeting.  Commissioner Lehrer seconded and the motion passed by voice vote. 

 

       Chairperson Alofsin asked that the Commission retain their information on this item for next month’s meeting.

 

8.   OLD BUSINESS:  None

      Public Input Permitted

 

9.   DISCUSSION ITEMS:

      Public Input Permitted

 

A.     Demolition Permits

 

1.         924 Yale Street (PC011874)

            R1/Single Family Residential

            Single Family Dwelling w/Garage

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

 

2.         417 10th Street (PC011872)

            R1NW/Single Family Residential

Single Family Residential w/detached garage

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

3.            324 Euclid Street (PC011846)

R1/Single Family Residential

Single Family Dwelling w/detached Garage w/ detached Garage

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

 

 

4.         258 16th Street (PC011941)

            R1/Single Family Residential

            Single Family Dwelling w/Garage

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

There was a brief discussion of these items, and no action was taken.

           

      B.     Planning Commission Case List (Information Only)

 

10.    COMMUNICATIONS: 

 

A.     Handout from Doris Sosin/North of Montana Neighborhood Association regarding formation of Santa Monica Conservancy.  “Concerned About the Old Homes and Buildings Being Torn Down all Over Santa Monica?”

 

B.     Handout from Doris Sosin/North of Montana Neighborhood Association entitled: “Irving Gill and the Architecture of Reform”

 

C.  Letter from the North of Montana Neighborhood Association regarding Code                                                                                                                           Enforcement in the City of Santa Monica

 

11.     FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:  (Requests from Commissioners to add items to upcoming agendas)

 

The Civic Center Auditorium - Commissioner Genser

Code Enforcement – Commissioner Lehrer (response to item 10C)

 

12.    NEXT MEETING DATE AND COMMISSION AGENDA: Monday, August 13, 2001

 

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

 

Jerry Rubin, member of the public, mentioned how dedicated the Landmarks Commission is, and how committed they are to the City.  He thanked them for their service.

 

Steve Jones, member of the public, stated he was concerned about the demolition notice that he and his wife received on the house next door to their residence.  He stated they were interested in understanding the process and is seeking the Commission’s help in stopping the demolitions.

 

Chairperson Alofsin stated that the Landmarks Commission only has power over the exterior of a building.  She also suggested Mr. Jones get involved with his neighborhood group.

 

Commissioner Lehrer thanked the public for coming to the meeting and for their interests in preservation. 

 

Commissioner Posek stated that another way to attack this problem is not from what’s being torn down but what’s being built.  The approach would be to preserve what we have and scale down what we’ve lost.  With those two things, at some point we can create a balance in this neighborhood. 

 

14.    ADJOURNMENT:  8:20 p.m.