MINUTES

 

MEETING OF THE

LANDMARKS COMMISSION

Founded 1875

“Populus felix in urbe felici”

 

 

 

 

Monday, October 8, 2001

City Council Chambers

7:00 p.m.

1685 Main Street, Room 213

 

1.      CALL TO ORDER:  7:00 p.m.

 

2.      ROLL CALL:   Present:                                  Commissioner Bolton

                                                                                    Commissioner Genser

                                                                                    Chair Pro Tem Lehrer

                                                                                    Commissioner Posek

                                                                                    Commissioner Schnitzler

                                                                                    Chairperson Alofsin

                                                   Also Present:          Liz Bar-El, Staff Liaison

                                                                                    Kimberly Christensen, Senior Planner

                                                                                    Blake Lyon, Assistant Planner

 

3.      REPORT FROM STAFF:

The Staff Liaison, Liz Bar-El informed the Commission that the Historic Preservation Element will be going to City Council on November 27, 2001.

 

4.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

         Public Input Permitted

     

A.     September 10, 2001

 

Commissioner Genser moved to approve the minutes.  Commissioner Schnitzler seconded and the motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

 

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

 

Nina Fresco, member of OPCO,  In regard to 2712 2nd Street, she stated that this property was built in 1875, was part of the Abbott Kinney tract and is the last existing house of its kind.  She stated that Mario Fondo-Bernardi of OPCO, suggested moving it to a pocket park in Ocean Park.  Stated there was talk of a community fundraiser to show support of the building and get a percentage of a down payment in which the city could purchase the building and use as an historical building, museum or bookstore, or other historic outlet that could help educate the public.  Stated she would like to know if they could bring the item back to the Landmarks Commission for discussion of other relocation options.

 

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

        

Commissioner Schnitzler stated that on October 24, at 7:00 p.m. at the Main library, Christy McAvoy would be speaking on the recent North of Montana survey.  This presentation is sponsored by NOMA and friends of the library.  Admission is free.  She also stated that NOMA received correspondence from the property owner of 1910 Adelaide Drive, who would like to have her home designated a landmark.  Also Councilman Holbrook stated he would like to have a discussion regarding the Angels Attic property at 516 Colorado Avenue and moving the building.

 

7.      CONSENT CALENDAR: None

         Public Input Permitted

 

8.      PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

         Public Input Permitted

 

A.     Certificate of Appropriateness No. LC-01-CA-004, 200 Santa Monica Pier.

Public hearing to consider installation of a 560 lineal foot long, 3-½ foot high security railing to replace an existing railing, located adjacent to the north side of the Pier’s promenade from the Boathouse restaurant to the west end of the asphalt paving. 

 

Commissioner Lehrer questioned the spacing of the railing.  Rick Valte of the City’s Engineering Department stated that the building code requires 4-inch spacing.

 

Commission Genser moved for approval of the staff report.  Commissioner Schnitzler seconded and the motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

 

B.     Landmark Designation Application LC-01-LM-004, 1855 Main Street (Civic Auditorium) Public hearing to determine whether the application is appropriate for formal consideration of Landmark Designation Application.

 

Alan Lieb, member of the public, stated that this building could possibly qualify for the national register.  Also stated he would like the Commission to consider restoring the reflecting pool that was in front of the building if budget is available to do so.

 

Chair Pro Tem Lehrer commended staff for the well-written report.  She also agrees with Mr. Lieb’s statement for the national register.  She felt that both the interior and exterior has significant characteristics.

 

Commissioner Genser stated he has some concerns but definitely wants to support taking this to the next level.

 

Commissioner Bolton stated that they should keep the option open to move into whatever venue evolves in the next year.

 

Commissioner Posek stated concern that it would become more complicated because it will be a much longer process.  Stated the Commission must look down the road to see what the possibilities of the building might be.

 

Commissioner Schnitzler supports the designation and if the use changes over time, the Commission could review a Certificate of Appropriateness.

 

Commissioner Genser moved to schedule a public hearing for next month, to discuss the entire building (interior and exterior) with the option to add specifics after a walkthrough of the building.  Commissioner Posek seconded and the motion passed by the following vote.

 

Ayes:           Bolton, Genser, Posek, Schnitzler, Lehrer, Alofsin

Nayes:         None

Abstain:       None

 

Chairperson Alofsin asked that the Commissioners retain their material on this item for next month’s meeting.  The Commission would like to meet to conduct a walkthrough preferably on Monday, November 12, 2001 at 6:00pm before the public meeting if possible.

 

C.    Structure of Merit Application No. LC-01-LM-005, 224 18th Street.
Public hearing to consider a Structure of Merit Designation Application for a single-family residence located at 224 18th Street, within the 18th Street grouping listed on the City’s Historic Resources Inventory.

 

Steve Jones, member of the public, stated in August that the Landmarks Commission stopped the demolition until they could determine if there was any neighborhood interest in a historic district designation.  He mailed a letter to the 55 neighbors in September regarding historic information.  They received approximately 13 responses so far, which were generally supportive of ideas of investigating ways to protect older homes from demolition.  He stated that the neighbors would like the Commission to withhold approval of demolition permits until a member of staff could attend a neighborhood meeting and answer questions.

 

Frank Ballantyne, member of the public, stated that he has some concerns of not being able to demolish a house which no longer has useful life and is expensive to maintain. He feels the Structure of Merit designation put a significant encumbrance on properties because it doesn’t take into account the market value.  He especially feels it is unfair to the older property owners and the decisions to designate are arbitrary and capricious.

 

Mark Schrobilgen, property owner, stated that after purchasing the property and having an inspection that determined the condition of the structure is too bad to repair, he opted to file a demolition application along with plans.  He feels there is growth and development in the area and that is why he purchased the property and is not in support of the designation.

 

Commissioner Schnitzler stated the street is more uniform than most in Santa Monica and has a lot of older smaller homes on a consistent scale with neighborhood charm and character.  She stated that the Commission considered this area because the houses could be renovated and be consistent within the landmark’s ordinance.  They could evolve and expand without being demolished.  Therefore she continues to support the Structure of Merit designation.

 

Commissioner Posek concurred with Commissioner Schnitzler.  He also feels it puts a burden on the property owners because they were not aware that this could happen.  It also puts the Landmarks Commission in an adversarial relationship as well. He stated he would like to save the façade of the building and work with the owner to maintain the charm that is north of Montana.  He supports the designation.

 

Chair Pro Tem Lehrer stated she feels compelled toward a preservation position because this is a very good block that is worthy of preservation.  She also sympathizes with the owner’s situation. 

 

Ms. Bar-El went over the options for the homeowner and the Commission in regard to the Structure of Merit designation according to the Landmark Ordinance. 

 

Commissioner Bolton stated he would like to work with the owner to save the façade.  He supports voting for a Certificate of Appropriateness along with the idea that the owner resubmit plans for the house. 

 

Commissioner Bolton moved to continue this item to the end of the agenda.  Chair Pro Tem Lehrer seconded. 

 

Ms. Christensen reviewed the CEQA issues, Certificate of Appropriateness and the demolition procedures with the Commission. 

 

Chair Pro Tem Lehrer moved to designate 224 18th Street as a Structure of Merit.  Commissioner Schnitzler seconded and the motion passed by the following vote:

 

Ayes:           Posek, Schnitzler, Lehrer, Alofsin

Nayes:         Bolton, Genser

Abstain:       None

 

D.    Landmark Designation Application LC-01-LM01-006, 1455 4th Street (Lido Apartments) Public hearing to consider whether the application is appropriate for formal consideration of Landmark Designation Application.

 

Howard Jacobs, owner of property, stated that he and his partners agree with and support the landmark designation of the building.  He stated his concern lies with the issue of the windows. They have been remodeling and doing an addition to the rear of the building for 2 years, and during that time they ordered new custom sized windows.  The existing windows are very old and not very functional.  Also stated, the tenants are not very happy with them and were looking forward to the new ones being installed.  He stated the windows ordered are not on site.  Therefore he would get a sample window and submit to consultants and staff to compare with the original windows and make their decision on what is suitable.  Stated that his concern is that staff won’t approve the new windows and he would then be at a financial loss for the windows already purchased.

 

Chris Harding, Attorney, stated that staff pointed out a code section of the ordinance which allows the Landmarks Commission, in the context of the designation, to approve changes which would typically be heard in the context of a Certificate of Appropriateness hearing.  Stated they are in the process of retaining a consultant to help advise them on any issues that may arise during the course of the process.  They are willing to withdraw the request for continuance with the understanding that the Commission would consider both the designation and window issue next month. 

 

Paula McMath, member of the public, stated she is in support of the designation.  Stated the building is beautiful, charming and should be preserved for Santa Monica.

 

Arthur Harris, member of the public, stated he walked by this building many times and is, as far as he knows, one of the only two masonry buildings remaining in  downtown.  He is in support of the designation.

 

After a brief discussion and clarifying the window issue, Commissioner Bolton moved to schedule a formal hearing with consideration of the windows included in the designation consideration.  Chair Pro Tem Lehrer seconded and the motion passed by the following vote:

 

Ayes:           Bolton, Genser, Posek, Schnitzler, Lehrer, Alofsin

Nayes:         None

Abstain:       None

 

Chairperson Alofsin asked the Commission to retain their information on this item for next month.

 

 

 

8.      OLD BUSINESS:  None

         Public Input Permitted

 

9.      DISCUSSION ITEMS:

         Public Input Permitted

 

A.     Demolition Permits

 

1.         928 24th Street (PC012272)

            R1/Single Family Residential

            Single Family Residence w/ Detached Garage

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

2.         1508 17th Street (PC012254)

            BCD/Broadway Commercial District

            One-Story Wood Structure

Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

            3.         601 Marguerita Ave (PC012183)

R1/Single Family Residential

                        One-Story Single Family Residential w/ Detached Garage

                        Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

            4.         1314 2nd Street (PC012186)

                        BSC4/Bayside Commercial District

Two 2-story Residential Apartment Buildings

Structure Listed in Historic Resources Inventory (5D)

 

            5.         1544 7th Street (PC012181)

                        C3/Downtown Commercial District

                        Two-story Building; 15 unit apartment

                        Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

                        There was no action taken on these items.

 

B.     Discussion of preservation incentives and how they can be improved, combined with general discussion of ways in which the Commission can move toward more proactive preservation of the City’s resources and community outreach.

 

Commissioner Genser stated that the Commission needs to come up with a way to communicate with the public on preservation incentives.  He stated that there are other things that are unique to Santa Monica in addition to the Mills Act, and suggested hiring consultants to look at other cities and see what can be done to add that to our own existing code.

 

Chair Pro Tem Lehrer stated that there is existing material they could look at to adopt for Santa Monica. 

 

Alofsin suggested broadcasting the Landmark Commission on City TV, or hire a consultant to make a short video tape to educate the public. 

 

Ms. Christensen supports the video production idea, however indicated that hiring a consultant for research is not in the budget at this time.  She recommended adding this to the agenda as a discussion item for the Commission to discuss their ideas and then prioritize.  Staff would then generate a report that could be submitted to City Council regarding the Commissions requests for the coming year, and the things that can’t be incorporated for this year.

 

Ms. Bar-El stated she will work with Chair Pro Tem Lehrer to put together a package that talks about incentives and will bring back a draft next month.

 

C.    Discussion of outreach to Realtor community regarding City cultural resources policy and disclosure of Landmarks Commission review requirements.

 

Commissioner Bolton stated that the incentive package should be included in booklet form with the disclosure.  This disclosure will inform the public that any building over 40 years is subject to the Landmarks ordinance. 

 

Commissioner Schnitzler drafted a letter to the real estate community and shared it with the Commission.  She also suggested that the City make this a legal disclosure document because we have an obligation to inform the public. 

 

D.    Request to consider Landmark nominations for 1602 and 1628 Georgina Avenue.

 

Request was withdrawn by Commissioner Schnitzler.

 

E.     Planning Commission Case List (Information Only)

 

F.     Draft Historic Preservation Element (Information Only)

 

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

 

Commissioner Genser requested that the priorities in the Preservation Element be placed on the December agenda for discussion.

 

Chairperson Alofsin stated that the Landmarks Commissioners should survey neighborhoods in the City for possible preservation opportunities and volunteered for a survey subcommittee.  Commissioner Schnitzler also volunteered.

 

The Commissioners requested a status report on 2712 Second Street for the November meeting.

 

11.    NEXT MEETING DATE AND COMMISSION AGENDA: Monday, November 12, 2001

 

12.    ADJOURNMENT: 10:00 p.m.

 

 

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