MINUTES

 

MEETING OF THE

LANDMARKS COMMISSION

Founded 1875

“Populus felix in urbe felici”

 

 

 

 

Monday, September 10, 2001

City Council Chambers

7:00 p.m.

1685 Main Street, Room 213

 

CALL TO ORDER                  7:05 p.m.

 

1.   ROLL CALL:                     Present:                   Commissioner Bolton

                                                                                    Commissioner Genser

                                                                                    Chair Pro Tem Lehrer

                                                                                    Commissioner Posek

                                                                                    Commissioner Schnitzler

                                                                                    Chairperson Alofsin

                                                   Also Present:          Amanda Schachter, Principal Planner

                                                                                    Liz Bar-El, Staff Liaison

                                                                                    Arlene Johnson, Staff Assistant III

 

2.      REPORT FROM STAFF:

Ms. Schachter stated that staff has been in contact with the property owners of 1333 Ocean Avenue and informed them that they must repair all damage to the building, and it must be consistent to the Secretary of the Interior of Standards.  She stated they have been directed to hire an architect as well as a contractor who are familiar with historic buildings.  To date, no plans have been submitted. 

 

Chairperson Alofsin stated that Suzanne Frick, Director of Planning and Community Development, stated that if any member of the Landmarks Commission was harassed by the owners of this property, they should file a police report.

 

           

3.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

         Public Input Permitted

     

A.     August 13, 2001

 

Chair Pro Tem Lehrer moved to approve the minutes with a correction that Trudi Sandmeier and Alan Lieb are members of the L.A. Conservancy and not members of the public, as stated on page 6 of the minutes.  Commissioner Genser seconded and the motion passed by voice vote.

 

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

 

 

5.      COMMUNICATIONS: (Public discussion by the person presenting the communication on items not on agenda and within the jurisdiction of the Commission)

        

A.     Letter from Britt Allcroft regarding 1333 Ocean Avenue, dated August 21, 2001.

 

Chairperson Alofsin passed around information from the Santa Monica Mirror on the Aero Theatre and the Horatio Court West.  She also mentioned that the Watts Tower would be having a lighting ceremony in the City of Los Angeles, and that Santa Monica College is having architectural lectures of historic buildings.  She also stated that the California Preservation Foundation workshop will be held downtown Los Angeles and invited the Commissioners to attend.

 

Commissioner Genser stated that there would be a workshop on the Santa Monica library itself with a presentation by the architect on Saturday @ 2:00 p.m.  He also stated that the Los Angeles County Museum is featuring a show on Stanton MacDonald Wright’s work.

 

6.      CONSENT CALENDAR:

         Public Input Permitted

 

A.     Statement of Official Action: 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. 

 

Commissioner Schnitzler moved to approve the Statement of Official Action. Chair Pro Tem Lehrer seconded and the motion passed by voice vote.

 

7.   PUBLIC HEARINGS:  None

      Public Input Permitted

 

8.   OLD BUSINESS:  None

      Public Input Permitted

 

9.   DISCUSSION ITEMS:

      Public Input Permitted

 

A.     Demolition Permits

 

1.         1629 San Vicente Blvd. (PC012124)

            R1/Single Family Residential

            One-story, Single Family Resident w/ attached Garage

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

2.                  2414 Hill Street (PC012120)

R1/Single Family Residential

Single Family Residence

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

3.                  1507 20th Street (PC012151)

LMSD/Light Manufacturing & Studio

Single Family House w/detached Garage

Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

4.                  9 Vicente Terrace (PC012167)

R3/Medium Density Multiple Family

One-story Garage on Alley Side of Lot

Structure Listed in Historic Resources Inventory (5D1)

 

No action was taken on these items.

 

      B.     Request to file a Landmark designation application for the Lido Hotel at 1455 4th Street.

 

               Chair Pro Tem Lehrer moved to file a landmark designation application for this property.  Chairperson Alofsin seconded and the motion passed by voice vote.

 

      C.     Demolition permit field inspection teams.

 

      D.     Planning Commission Case List (Information Only)

 

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

 

Chairperson Alofsin requested that a cover memo be included every month, with the agenda, to indicate the demolition team.

 

Commissioner Schnitzler requested notification to the Real Estate Community and how to prioritize Landmark designations. (October meeting)

 

Commissioner Genser requested any existing Preservation incentives for the public. (Mills Act and a list of additional background information in October packet)

 

Copies of the draft Preservation Element in the October packet to Commissioners.

 

1628 Georgina and 1602 will be added to Discussion items for the October meeting.

 

Nina Fresco, member of OPCO, stated she would try to attend future Landmarks meetings to get a better feel of how the Commission operates.  She stated that a lot of people are interested in preservation, and the “cheat sheet” that Commissioner Genser mentioned could be handed out at the Farmers Market.  She stated that there is a lot of paranoia in the community because people don’t know what preservation means in terms of what they can do with their property.  She stated that a few people are thinking of starting a Santa Monica Historical Society.   She also stated that proactivism from the Commission would be appreciated.

 

Community outreach will be agendized for the November meeting.

 

11.    NEXT MEETING DATE AND COMMISSION AGENDA: Monday, October 8, 2001

 

12.    ADJOURNMENT:  7:50 P.M.