MINUTES

 

MEETING OF THE

LANDMARKS COMMISSION

Founded 1875

“Populus felix in urbe felici”

 

 

 

 

Monday, October 14, 2002

City Council Chambers, Room 213

7:00 p.m.

1685 Main Street, Santa Monica

 

 

CALL TO ORDER:    7:02

 

 

1.     ROLL CALL    

Present:

Commissioner Fresco

Commissioner Posek

Commissioner Schnitzler

Chair Pro Tem Genser

 

Also present: 

Liz Bar-El, Commission Liaison

Kimberly Christensen, Senior Planner

Barry Rosenbaum, City Attorney

Arlene Johnson, Staff Assistant

 

Absent:

Chairperson Lehrer

 

2.      REPORT FROM STAFF:

Ms. Bar-El passed out an invitation for a tour of the Ennis Brown house in the Hollywood Hills sponsored by the Heritage Coalition of Southern California.  On October 2nd, the Planning Commission recommended to the City Council to approve the Historic Preservation Element.  It is now scheduled to go to the City Council on November 12th.  She also stated that the City Council would be filling one Landmark Commissioner position on October 22nd.  The licensed architect position will not be filled at this time because there are no qualified candidates in the database.

 

3.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

         Public Input Permitted

                                     

A.  September 9, 2002

 

      Commissioner Schnitzler made a motion to approve the minutes.  Commissioner Posek  seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote.

 

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

 

         None

 

5.      COMMUNICATIONS: (Presentation of items not on agenda and within the jurisdiction of the Commission by members of the public. Public discussion is only extended to the person presenting the communication unless consent is given by 2/3 vote of the Commissioners present.)

 

A.     Letter received from Greyling Gentry requesting the Commission to file an application nominating the Cedrus Deodora tree located at 918 5th Street, Santa Monica, to be designated as a City Landmark

        

         Commissioner Posek made a motion to allow members of the public to speak on this issue.  Commissioner Fresco seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote.

 

         The following members of the public addressed the Commission: Greyling Gentry, Ken Kutcher, Attorney, Patrick Gaynes and Dave Marcinkus, Trustee for property.

 

         After a lengthy discussion, the Commission decided to begin the application process.  Commissioner Fresco made a motion to file an application for Landmark designation.  Commissioner Schnitzler seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

 

         Ayes:           Fresco, Posek, Schnitzler, Genser

         Nayes:         None

         Abstain:       None

         Absent:        Lehrer

 

6.      CONSENT CALENDAR:

         Public Input Permitted

 

A.  Statement of Official Action: Certificate of Appropriateness Application No. LC-02CA-015, 200 Santa Monica Pier, to amend Certificate of Appropriateness No. LC-02CA-009 in which the Commission approved the design of a directory sign in the Central Plaza Area of the Landmark Santa Monica Pier. This application requests approval for a second directory sign to be located next to Carousel Park by the western steps to the Pier, and requests sign adjustments for both signs. 

 

B.  Statement of Official Action: Certificate of Appropriateness Application No. LC-02CA-005, 224 18th Street, requesting demolition of a main residence and garage structure on a property designated as a Structure of Merit.

 

C.  Statement of Official Action: Certificate of Appropriateness Application No. LC-02CA-010, 2609 ˝ Third Street, requesting demolition of a rear dwelling unit on a property designated as a contributor to the Third Street Neighborhood Historic District.

 

Commissioner Posek made a motion to approve Items 6A-C.  Commissioner Fresco seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote.

 

7.      NEW BUSINESS / PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

         Public Input Permitted

                   

A.  Landmark Designation Application LC-02LM-004, 2525 Main Street (Merle Norman Building), to determine whether the proposed property is appropriate for formal consideration of Landmark Designation Application.

 

            Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El.

 

The following members of the public addressed the Commission in support of the designation:  Fred DiMaio (property owner and Rick Laudati (OPCO).

 

Commissioner Posek made a motion to file an application to designate.   Commissioner Schnitzler seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

 

      Ayes:              Fresco, Posek, Schnitzler, Genser

      Nayes:            None

      Abstain:          None

      Absent:           Lehrer

 

B.  Certificate of Appropriateness Application No. LC-02CA-018, 555 7th Street, requesting to remodel and add 1,251 square foot single-story addition to an existing single story residence; and to modify a previously approved fence design.  A previously approved Certificate of Appropriateness (LC-CA-00-010) for this project has expired.

     

      Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El.

 

      The following members of the public addressed the Commission:  Danna Meyer, property owner, and Joan Swartz, architect.

 

      Commissioner Schnitzler had questions regarding the proposed changes to the roof line.  Ms. Swartz and Ms. Meyer discussed the issue with the Commission.

 

      Commissioner Schnitzer made a motion to continue this item to next month, pending updated plans in order to assure that the roof line would be compatible.  Commissioner Fresco seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

     

      Ayes:              Fresco, Posek, Schnitzler, Genser

      Nayes:            None

      Abstain:          None

      Absent:           Lehrer

 

C.  Review of Commission Rules of Order to consider whether any changes to the current Rules are appropriate, including whether the Rules should be modified to establish guidelines for ex-parte communications. (Continued to December 10, 2002)

 

8.      OLD BUSINESS:

         Public Input Permitted

 

         None.

 

9.      DISCUSSION ITEMS:

         Public Input Permitted

 

A.  Review of Demolition Permits and Consideration Whether to File an Application For Designation of a Structure as a Landmark or Structure of Merit.

 

1.   954 5th Street (PC013440)

      R2/Low Density Multiple Residential

      One-Story, 2 Units w/2 car Detached Garage & Storage Shack

      Structure Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

      (Continued from September 9, 2002)

 

The following member of the public addressed the Commission:  Ken Kutcher, Attorney, representing the property owner.

 

Commissioner Fresco made a motion to file an application for Landmark designation.  Commissioner Posek seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

 

 

 

      Ayes:              Fresco, Posek, Schnitzler, Genser

      Nayes:            None

      Abstain:          None

      Absent:           Lehrer

 

2.   1522 6th Street (PC013540)

C3/Downtown Commercial

Two-Story Apartment Building

Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

3.   525 Marguerita Avenue (PC013531)

R1/Single Family Residential

Single Family House w/Detached Garage & Playhouse

Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

4.   425 4th Street (PC013588)

R1/Single Family Residential

1-Story, Single Family Dwelling w/Guest House

Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

5.   1015 Franklin Street (PC013605)

R1/Single Family Residential

Garage    

Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

        

         No Action taken on Items 9A(2-5).

 

B.  Recommendation to City Council regarding a Mills Act Contract Application: 211 Alta Avenue (The Palama, Designated Landmark)

 

Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El, regarding the four Mills Act contracts on the agenda.

 

The following member of the public addressed the Commission:  Stephen Chao, property owner.

 

Commissioner Schnitzler moved to recommend that City Council approve this item. Commissioner Posek seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

 

            Ayes:              Fresco, Posek, Schnitzler, Genser

      Nayes:            None

      Abstain:          None

      Absent:           Lehrer

 

C.  Recommendation to City Council regarding a Mills Act Contract Application: 315 10th Street (the Aeroplane Bungalow, Designated Landmark).

              

            Commissioner Posek made a motion to recommend that City Council approve this item.  Commission Schnitzler seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

 

            Ayes:              Fresco, Posek, Schnitzler, Genser

      Nayes:            None

      Abstain:          None

      Absent:           Lehrer

 

D.  Recommendation to City Council regarding a Mills Act Contract Application: 2402 Fourth Street #2 (Hollister Court, Designated Landmark).

 

Commissioner Fresco made a motion to recommend that City Council approve this item.  Commissioner Posek seconded the motion, which was approved by the following vote:

 

            Ayes:              Fresco, Posek, Schnitzler, Genser

      Nayes:            None

      Abstain:          None

      Absent:           Lehrer

 

E.  Recommendation to City Council regarding a Mills Act Contract Application: 2612 Third Street (A Contributor to the Third Street Neighborhood Historic District).

 

Commissioner Schnitzler made a motion to recommend that City Council approve this item.  Commissioner seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

 

            Ayes:              Fresco, Posek, Schnitzler, Genser

      Nayes:            None

      Abstain:          None

      Absent:           Lehrer

 

F.   Discussion of Barnum Hall, located on the Santa Monica High School campus, 601 Pico Boulevard, and consideration of whether to file an application nominating the structure as a City Landmark, including consideration of significant interior public areas containing the Stanton MacDonald Wright curtain and the Conrad Buff painting. (Requested by Commissioner Posek).

 

The following members of the public addressed the Commission:  Jean Sedillos, Ralph Mechur and Ken Bailey, representing SMMUSD.

 

The Commission and staff discussed the jurisdictional issues surrounding designation of a structure on School District property.

 

Chair Pro Tem Genser made a motion to file an application for landmark designation, including appropriate architectural elements in public areas and art elements including the Stanton MacDonald curtains and mosaic, and the Conrad Buff painting.  Commissioner Posek seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

 

            Ayes:              Fresco, Posek, Schnitzler, Genser

      Nayes:            None

      Abstain:          None

      Absent:           Lehrer

 

G.  Presentation of the North of Montana Area Update of the City’s Historic Resources Inventory and discussion of the Commission’s recommendation regarding the next area of the City to be surveyed as part of the update of the Inventory.

 

            Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El.

 

Ms. Christensen addressed the Commission regarding the costs analysis of the survey.

 

Chair Pro Tem Genser reiterated that this is only a survey of the district. 

 

            The following member of the public addressed the Commission:  Chuck Allord.

 

      The Commission received the report and discussed the outstanding issue of the Gillette Regent Square documentation, which would require additional allocation of resources to complete.  Commissioners concurred that this information is not immediately needed.  After further discussion on the next phase of the Inventory, the Commission recommended that staff focus the next phase of the Inventory on the Ocean Park area.

     

H.  Discussion of Conflict of Interest Laws, including the California Political Reform Act

           

            Overview presented by Barry Rosenbaum, City Attorney.

The Commission requested to combine the discussion with December’s discussion on by-laws, which includes adding language on disclosure.

 

I.    Planning Commission Case List (Information Only)

 

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

 

            None

 

11.       NEXT MEETING DATE AND COMMISSION AGENDA: Monday, November 11, 2002

 

12.       ADJOURNMENT: 10:45 p.m.