MINUTES

 

MEETING OF THE

LANDMARKS COMMISSION

Founded 1875

“Populus felix in urbe felici”

 

 

 

 

Monday, November 11, 2002

City Council Chambers, Room 213

7:00 p.m.

1685 Main Street, Santa Monica

 

CALL TO ORDER:                 7:00 pm

 

1.         ROLL CALL      

 

               Present:

               Nina Fresco

               Robert Posek

               James Rosenfield

               Barbara Schnitzler

               Ruthann Lehrer

                                               

               Also Present:

               Kimberly Christensen

               Barry Rosenbaum

               Arlene Johnson

 

               Absent:

               Roger Genser

 

2.      INDUCTION OF NEWLY APPOINTED COMMISSIONER: JAMES ROSENFIELD, REAL ESTATE LICENSEE

 

3.            REPORT FROM STAFF:

Chairperson Lehrer requested that Item 8E be heard before Item 8B per the request of a member of the public due to a family emergency.  The Commission agreed to move the item forward.

 

Ms. Bar-El informed the Commission that the Planning Commission will be having a discussion item on their November 20th meeting at the request of Commissioner Dad.  The discussion will include ways to work with the Landmarks Commission on possible changes to the Landmarks Ordinance and to develop preservation incentives. The Historic Preservation Element is scheduled to go to City Council on November 26, 2002.  Historic Resources Group is preparing a proposal on the Ocean Park update for the historic resource inventory, and staff will keep the Commission apprised of its progress.

 

4.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

         Public Input Permitted

                       

A.     October 14, 2002

 

Commissioner Posek made a motion to approve the minutes with the following correction made by Commissioner Schnitzler: Page 4, last paragraph.  The roofline issue was not cleared up.  Commissioner Schnitzler seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote.

 

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

     

 6.   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 Gerard & Stephanie Casale requesting that the Commission consider filing a Landmark application on their behalf to designate their property at 710 Adelaide Place as a City Landmark.

        

Continued to next month because the members of the public who submitted the communication were not present.

 

7.         CONSENT CALENDAR:

         Public Input Permitted

 

A.         Statement of Official Action: Recommendation to City Council to approve a Mills Act Contract Application at 211 Alta Avenue (The Palama, Designated Landmark)

 

B.         Statement of Official Action: Recommendation to City Council to approve a Mills Act Contract Application at 315 10th Street (The Aeroplane Bungalow, Designated Landmark)

 

C.         Statement of Official Action: Recommendation to City Council to approve a Mills Act Contract Application at 2402 Fourth Street #2 (Hollister Court, Designated Landmark).

 

D.         Statement of Official Action: Recommendation to City Council to approve a Mills Act Contract Application at 2612 Third Street (A Contributor to the Third Street Neighborhood Historic District)

 

Continued to next month due to lack of quorum that were present at the October 14th meeting. 

 

8.      NEW BUSINESS / PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

         Public Input Permitted

              

A.         Certificate of Appropriateness Application No. LC-02CA-018, 555 7th Street, requesting to remodel and add a 1,251 square foot single-story addition to an existing single story residence.  A previously approved Certificate of Appropriateness (LC-CA-00-010) for this project has expired. (Continued from October 14, 2002)

 

Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El.

 

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

 

Commissioner Schnitzler stated that the “as built” drawings were incorrect in a lot of ways, and asked that corrections be made to the existing plans.  She also stated that the skylight is not shown on the elevation and is not an appropriate location as it would impact the primary elevation.  She asked that the architect remove the skylight and coordinate the roof plan and the elevation. 

 

Commissioner Posek made a motion to approve with staff conditions and new as built plans and no skylight on the west elevation.   Commissioner Rosenfield seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

 

Ayes:   Fresco, Posek, Rosenfield, Schnitzler, Lehrer

Nayes:   None

Absent:   Genser

Astain:   None

 

B.         Certificate of Appropriateness Application No. LC-02CA-014, 145 Bay Street, requesting to remove exterior siding, restore the original underlying siding and repaint a building that is a contributor to the Bay Street Craftsman Cluster Historic District.

 

Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El.

 

The following members of the public addressed the Commission: Manhar Patel, owner and David Newcamp.

 

Commissioner Schnitzler made a motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness with the conditions that the window trim be identical with the window trim at 137 Bay Street in addition to staff conditions.  Commissioner Fresco seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

 

Ayes:   Fresco, Posek, Rosenfield, Schnitzler, Lehrer

Nayes:   None

Absent:   Genser

Astain:   None

 

C.         Landmark Designation Application LC-02LM-004, 2525 Main Street (Merle Norman Building), for formal consideration of the property as a City Landmark.

 

Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El.

 

Commissioner Fresco made a motion to designate this building as a City Landmark.  Commissioner Schnitzler seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

 

Ayes:   Fresco, Posek, Rosenfield, Schnitzler, Lehrer

Nayes:   None

Absent:   Genser

Astain:   None

 

D.         Landmark Designation Application LC-02LM-005, 601 Pico Blvd. (Barnum Hall on the Santa Monica High School campus), to determine whether the proposed structure is appropriate for formal consideration of the Landmark Designation Application, including consideration of significant interior public areas containing the Stanton MacDonald Wright curtain and mosaic and the Conrad Buff painting.

 

Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El.

 

The following members of the public addressed the Commission: David Hibbert and Margaret Bach representing “Restore Barnum Hall!”

 

Chairperson Lehrer stated that this is one of the truest treasures of Santa Monica, and she is pleased that the City recognizes its importance. 

 

The Commission and staff discussed issues of jurisdiction over school property.  Artwork in the auditorium was discussed and it was generally agreed that the Conrad Buff painting was not original to the building and should not be included, but the fire curtain and mosaic should be included.

 

Commissioner Posek made a motion to set a hearing for formal consideration of Barnum Hall as a City Landmark including the two MacDonald Wright works.  Commissioner Rosenfield seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

 

Ayes:   Fresco, Posek, Rosenfield, Schnitzler, Lehrer

Nayes:   None

Absent:   Genser

Astain:   None

 

E.         Landmark Designation Application LC-02LM-006, 918 5th Street (Cedar Tree), to determine whether the proposed landscape feature is appropriate for formal consideration of the Landmark Designation Application.

 

Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El.

 

The following members of the public addressed the Commission:  Harold Griffen, Matt Wesselhoff, Doris Sosin, Dave Marcinkus, property trustee, and Walter Warner, City Community Forester.

 

The Commission discussed the need to make findings regarding unique qualities of this particular tree in order to designate it, and requested that staff provide additional information for the formal designation hearing.

 

Commissioner Rosenfied made a motion to schedule a hearing for formal consideration of a Landmark designation. Commissioner Fresco seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

 

Ayes:   Fresco, Posek, Rosenfield, Schnitzler, Lehrer

Nayes:   None

Absent:   Genser

Astain:   None

 

F.         Landmark Designation Application LC-02LM-007, 954 5th Street (Turn of Century Residence), to determine whether the proposed property is appropriate for formal consideration of the Landmark Designation Application.

 

Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El.

 

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

 

Commissioner Fresco stated that the Commission should evaluate the significance of this building based on that particular neighborhood which was the original City tract.  Also, she felt that this structure has a lot of integrity and might be a great candidate for relocation in the area.

 

Commissioner Posek stated that the building is in excellent shape and is a good candidate for designation.

 

Chairperson Lehrer stated that this is a wonderful historic property.  It is quite intact and very marketable.  It was an original house in the first phase of Santa Monica settlement, which is very meaningful.  She stated that designation of the front house would allow many possibilities for additions at the property and that she would like a win-win solution.

 

Commissioner Fresco made a motion to schedule a formal hearing to consider the front house on the property for landmark designation.  Commissioner Posek seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

 

Ayes:   Fresco, Posek, Rosenfield, Schnitzler, Lehrer

Nayes:   None

Absent:   Genser

Astain:   None

 

9.      OLD BUSINESS:

         Public Input Permitted

         None

 

10.           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.         2012-24 Main Street (PC013687)

         CM3/Main Street Special Commercial

         One-Story Commercial Structure, Surface Lot and Fencing

         Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

2.      327 16th Street (PC013724)

R2/Low Density Multiple Residential

One-Story House

Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

 

3.      424 14th Street (PC013641)

R1/Single Family Residential

One-Story Residential w/ Detached Garage

Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

      4.      528 9th Street (PC013671)

R1/Single Family Residential

One-Story House w/ Detached Garage

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

      5.      745 20th Street (PC013673)

R1/Single Family Residential

Single Family Residential

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

            Prior Demo. Application (PC012014, dated 7/19/01)

              

               No Action was taken on Item 10A(1-5).

 

      6.      507 Wilshire Blvd. (PC013729)

            C3/Downtown Commercial District

               One-Story Commercial Building w/ Mezzanine

            Structure Identified in the Historic Resources Inventory

 

Commissioner Fresco asked to discuss this application further as it is a nice Art-Deco structure.  Staff clarified that the Commission has until January 3rd to consider the proposed demolition. 

 

Commissioner Posek made a motion to continue this item to next month and requested that staff provide additional information to the Commission at that time.  Commissioner Schnitzler seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote: 

 

   Ayes:     Fresco, Posek, Rosenfield, Schnitzler, Lehrer

   Nayes:   None

   Absent:   Genser

   Astain:   None

 

B.   Discussion of the Oscar Niemeyer house at 1911 La Mesa Drive and consideration of whether to file an application nominating the property as a City Landmark (Continued from 9/9/02).

 

      Commissioner Schnitzler recused herself from the discussion on this item.   

 

      The following members of the public addressed the Commission:  Doris Sosin, Marc Schrobilgen and Leo Mormol, Ken Kutcher, Attorney and Jon Monkarsh, owner.

 

 

      Mr. Monkarsh stated that he no longer plans to demolish the home.  He is trying to sell it but a recent escrow fell through.  He stated that he needs more time but that he does not wish to attend monthly Commission meetings.  After discussion with the Commission, it was agreed that he would submit an update in writing to staff to forward to the Commission.

 

      Chairperson Lehrer suggested that this item be continued to a date not certain to be agendized when staff is informed of a change in circumstances.  Commissioner Posek seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote.

 

C.   Review of Proposed Letter to be sent to the Property Owners at 253 San Vicente Boulevard to commend them on their recent remodel.

           

Chairperson Lehrer made a motion to accept the letter as proposed.  Commissioner Rosenfield seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote.

 

     D.            Planning Commission Case List (Information Only)

 

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

 

         Commissioner Lehrer requested a discussion of landmark nominations, fees and the Commission acting as applicant for these nominations. 

 

         Commissioner Rosenfield requested to discuss the Commission’s plaque program and possible placement of plaques at new locations.

 

12.    NEXT MEETING DATE AND COMMISSION AGENDA: Monday, December 9, 2002

 

13.         ADJOURNMENT:         10:00 p.m.