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MINUTES |
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MEETING OF THE
LANDMARKS COMMISSION Founded 1875 “Populus felix in urbe felici” |
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Monday, April 8,
2002 |
City Council Chambers, Room 213 |
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7:00 p.m. |
1685 Main Street, Santa Monica |
CALL
TO ORDER: 7:05 p.m.
1. ROLL CALL:
Present:
Commissioner
Fresco
Commissioner
Posek
Commissioner
Schnitzler
Chair Pro
Tempore Lehrer
Chairperson
Alofsin
Liz Bar-El,
Commission Secretary
Kimberly
Christensen, Senior Planner
Absent:
Commissioner
Genser
2. REPORT FROM STAFF:
Ms. Bar-El informed the Commission that the Civic Auditorium
appeal is scheduled for April 9th, and that Commissioners were
welcome to testify.
Also the appeal of 2553 3rd Street is scheduled for April 23rd,
and Commissioners are welcome to testify at this hearing as well.
She also stated that the California Preservation Foundation
Conference will be held in Santa Rosa May 2 - 5, 2002. If any Commissioner is interested in
attending, the City will pay the conference registration fee. The information
is also available on the web site.
Ms. Bar-El then introduced the City Planning Manager, Jay
Trevino and the Senior Land Use Attorney, Barry Rosenbaum.
Mr. Rosenbaum stated that he will be in attendance in the
immediate future and will be staffing the Landmarks Commission meetings due to
the legal issues that have been recently raised. In conjunction with this decision, the City Attorney and Mr.
Rosenbaum reviewed the landmarks ordinance and noted at least one procedural
modification that they would like to potentially recommend to the City Council
to streamline the process. They also
want to assess whether the ordinance language could be simplified. They don’t intend to propose any substantive
changes to the ordinance without getting City Council direction and the input
of the Landmarks Commission.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Public Input Permitted
A. March 11,
2002
Chair Pro Tempore Lehrer made a motion to approve the
minutes for March 11, 2002, as submitted. Commissioner Posek seconded the
motion, which was approved 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)
None
6. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Public Input Permitted
A. Findings & Determination: Landmark
Designation Application LC-01-LM-007, 236 Adelaide Drive, to formally consider
Landmark Designation.
B. Statement of Official Action: Certificate of Appropriateness Application
No. LC-02CA-001, 2553 Third Street, for construction of a semi-subterranean
garage with balcony and entry stairs at the front of the property under the
existing first floor of a residential property that is a contributor to the
Third Street Neighborhood Historic District.
C. Statement of Official Action: Certificate of Appropriateness Application
No. 02CA-002, 1685 Main Street (City Hall), for alterations to windows on the
front and side elevations of City Hall, a City-designated Landmark.
D. Statement of Official Action: Certificate of Appropriateness Application
No. 02CA-003, 380 Santa Monica Pier (Pacific Park), for removal of the “PCH
Driving School” ride and expansion of the adjacent “Sig Alert” bumper car ride;
a new children’s mini swinging ship ride; and additional fixtures and fence
replacement to enhance a nautical theme for the Park; reconfiguration of rides
and relocation of entrance gate and signs for improved pedestrian traffic flow.
Chair Pro Tempore Lehrer made a motion to approve the
Consent Calendar. Commissioner
Schnitzler seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved by the following
vote:
Ayes: Fresco,
Posek, Schnitzler, Lehrer, Alosin
Nayes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Genser
Commissioner Posek made a motion to reorganize the agenda to discuss Item 9A prior to the Public Hearing items. Commissioner Schnitzler seconded the motion, which carried by voice vote.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Public Input Permitted
A. Structure of Merit Designation
Application LC-02-LM-001, 451 18th Street, to consider a Structure of Merit
Designation Application for a single-family residence located within the 18th
Street grouping listed as a potential historic district on the City’s Historic
Resources Inventory (Continued from
February 11, 2002).
Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El.
The following members of the public addressed the Commission
in opposition to this item: Peter Doerken, Kevin Naimi (property owner), Roger
Golden, Patricia Golden, John M. Bohn, Bill Bolton, Mark Schrobilgen, Cynthia
Torres and Greg Poirier.
Chairperson Alofsin asked Mr. Trevino to speak about the
process of demolition and the reconstruction process. Mr. Trevino and Commissioner Alofsin concurred to meet at another
time.
Commission Schnitzler asked staff to explain a Structure of
Merit designation as opposed to a landmark to clarify for members of the pubic.
Ms. Bar-El gave the following explanation of a
designation: The Structure of Merit is
looked at as a structure of distinction and a contributor to a district. The idea of a Structure of Merit as opposed
to a landmark is that it doesn’t rise to the level of significance as a
landmark but within its context, it does have enough significance to be
protected by the preservation code. A
Structure of Merit does not expire. A
Certificate of Appropriateness for demolition may be requested, which would
then trigger a timeline that would end the protection of the structure under
the designation.
A Certificate of Appropriateness for alterations is not
required in a case of a Structure of Merit.
Other processes such as the Architectural Review Board, still apply.
Chair Pro Tempore Lehrer stated that her understanding of a
Structure of Merit is that it holds up a demolition permit for 6 months but
does not restrict remodeling. She asked
whether the Commission does not want to proceed on a historic district. (The Structure of Merit designation can be
rescinded)
Ms. Bar-El stated that the Commission could agendize, by a
motion, a public hearing to initiate the rescinding of a decision. This process is in the Landmarks Ordinance.
Mr. Rosenbaum added that there are a number of factors in
deciding whether or not a property should be designated a Structure of Merit,
including contribution to a historic district or a potential historic district.
Commissioner Schnitzler stated she would not go forward with this as a Structure of Merit.
Commissioner Posek concurred with Commissioner Schnitzler.
Chair Pro Tempore Lehrer stated that she is not ready to
give up on 18th Street entirely. Her
concern about this property is what the applicant has gone through in terms of
City review and fees paid. She feels
that an applicant should go through the Landmarks review first before the City
reviews. Architecturally, this building
is fairly marginal and not one of the finest examples of its type. It has been remodeled and is not a strong
contender. She is willing on these
accounts to let this one pass.
Commissioner Fresco stated she is willing to move on from
18th Street. There are more important
Santa Monica issues to work on. She
stated that because 18th Street is not going to be pursued as a district, she
sees no reason to designate this property as a Structure of Merit.
Commissioner Schnitzler made a
motion to disapprove the nomination of 451 18th Street as a Structure of Merit.
Commissioner Posek seconded the
motion, which carried unanimously by the following vote:
Ayes: Fresco,
Posek, Schnitzler, Lehrer, Alosin
Nayes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Genser
B. Structure of Merit Designation
Application LC-02-LM-002, 470 18th Street, to consider a Structure of Merit
Designation Application for a single-family residence located within the 18th
Street grouping listed as a potential historic district on the City’s Historic
Resources Inventory (Continued from March
11, 2002).
Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El
The following members of the public addressed the Commission
in opposition to this item: Gregory Poirier and Jana Poirier (property owners),
Peter Doerken, Cynthia Torres, Patricia Golden, Roger Golden, Bill Bolton and
Kevin Naimi.
Chairperson Alofsin closed the public hearing.
Chair Pro Tempore Lehrer stated that she appreciated the
research that Mr. Poirier did. However,
it did not convince her that the house does not have architectural merit. The fact that it is a Cecil Gale house adds
to the architectural value in her mind and she sees it as a potential
contributor, should a district go forward.
She would support staff’s recommendation.
Commissioner Fresco stated that she viewed this property in
the same way as the previous application at 451 18th Street.
Commissioner Schnitzler stated that this is a stronger
application and a Cecil Gale contribution, which meets the criteria which
individually recommends it. She stated
that no decision has been made on the district, however she feels that the
Commission can designate this as a Structure of Merit in its own right.
Chairperson Alofsin noted that there is no longer a
demolition permit pending on this property.
The demolition permit has been withdrawn.
Mr. Rosenbaum reminded the Commission to focus on the
criteria for designating this property as a Structure of Merit. The first criteria being that this property
has been identified in the City’s historic resource inventory, and its
contribution to a potential historic district. There are two other factors that may be relevant, and that is if
the structure is a minimum of 40 years versus the structures that are unique or
rare example of architectural design, detail or historical type. Or, the structure is representative of a
style in the city that is no longer prevalent.
Ms. Christensen read the verbiage from the five-year rule.
Chairperson Alofsin stated that if the structure was
designated, the Mills Act Contract would allow applicants to receive tax
benefits, and asked the property owners whether this incentive was of interest
to them. They replied that they were
not interested.
Chair
Pro Tem Lehrer made a motion to designate this property as a Structure of Merit
because it is a contributor to a historic district, and is a style that is no
longer prevalent
No second was made.
Commissioner Fresco made the
motion to disapprove the nomination of 470 18th Street as a
Structure of Merit.
Commissioner Robert Posek seconded
the motion, which did not carry, by the following vote:
Ayes: Fresco, Posek
Nayes: Lehrer, Schnitzler, Alofsin
Absent: Genser
Abstain: None
No action was taken on this item.
8. OLD BUSINESS:
Public Input Permitted
None.
9. DISCUSSION
ITEMS: (This Item preceded Item 7A)
Public Input Permitted
A. Historic Resources Inventory, North of
Montana Avenue Update: Commission Follow-Up and Discussion of Designation
Priorities
Ms. Bar-El stated that the Commission might want to discuss
prioritizing future work of the Commission including whether they are
interesting in pursuing a historic district, and if so, which ones and how they
wanted to identify districts.
Chairperson Alofsin stated that since they just received the
consultant’s report, the Commission hasn’t had time to review it among
themselves. She stated that the
sub-committee that was formed to study processes would be meeting and could
discuss this further at that time.
Commissioner Schnitzler stated that they are looking into
incentives and clarification of ordinance issues and permit sequencing and
other things that would affect this discussion. She also stated that it would be helpful if Chair Pro Tempore
Lehrer would join the sub-committee since she has done so much work in her job
in historic district matters. She
suggested meeting during the next few months and then going to the City Council
with their findings.
Chair Pro Tempore Lehrer stated that she would be happy to
join the sub-committee. She added that
the Commission has the inventory and the database of cultural resources, but
has not done any community outreach.
She stated that they have not provided information to the affected
public about what is a historic district, what do the regulations accomplish,
what are the benefits and drawbacks.
Historic district designation is a very flexible planning tool and is
the only tool available to protect neighborhoods. She is not prepared to make any recommendations unless they have
done a lot more community work.
The following members of the public addressed the Commission
in opposition of historic districts: Roger Golden, Kevin Cristof, June Coleman,
Greg Poirier, Marc Schrobilgen, Peter Doerken, Chuck Allord, Cynthia Torres,
Adrienne Erickson, Lore Buddeberg, Kayvan Naim, Jim Favrand, Paula Kayton and
Jana Poirier.
The following members of the public addressed the Commission
in favor of historic districts: Jerry Rubin and Carol Flint.
Chairperson Alofsin closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Fresco stated that the landmark process is in a
state of transition. There is a lot of
information that needs to be delivered.
Projects are not designated based on public opinion but on a process.
She stated that public input is considered in all cases and that it was not
fair to criticize the Commission in the case of the 3rd Street
garage for listening to neighbors and accuse them at the same time of not
listening. She stated that we are
people like you who have opinions about these things of our own and are trying
to make it work better.
Chair Pro Tempore Lehrer referred to a letter from Mr. and
Mrs. Schneider who live on 18th Street. Their concern is that they won’t be allowed to expand their
living space. She stated that standards
and guidelines of historic districts will allow you to expand your space with
change in an intelligent and respectful way.
She stated that there have been 9 applications for changes to designated
houses, which have all been approved with the exception of this last one, which
was not approved for very good reason and which included input from the
community. The Commission has a very
formalized process through the ordinance, which isn’t adequate to communicate
with all the people who are affected and other ways to communicate must be
found. If the community does not
support a historic district, it is not in the City’s interest to do it. The purpose of a historic district
designation is to protect community character.
This is a tool that is available to the community if they want it.
Chairperson Alofson agreed that communication is an issue.
Commissioner Posek stated that he chose to live in his neighborhood
on 18th Street because of the character of the neighborhood and
continuity, which adds value to the property.
Preservation is good and increases land values. Land values will not drop and have actually
doubled in the recent past. He stated
that houses can be changed while maintaining with the integrity of the
house. He gave the example of his own
remodel. The front facade of his home
was maintained and the addition was done toward the back. Also he stated that he was approached by a
member of the public on Saturday to sign a petition to halt the expansion of
the historic district on 18th Street as though it was a done deal. He
reiterated that if the community does not want historic districts in their
neighborhoods, it is not going to happen. He also asked the public to open
their minds and listen to information presented.
Mr. Rosenbaum reminded the Commission to stay focused on the
items agendized and placed before them.
Commissioner Schnitzler stated that decisions must be
thought out thoroughly and based on current and objective information. She suggested creating a sub-committee to
consider options and deliberate any future historic district designation. There have been positive responses and
there are individuals who are interested in districts.
Commissioner Fresco stated that she is not prepared to make
a decision on potential districts at this time and it should be left up to the
sub-committee to come up with a plan and present it back to the Commission in
the coming months.
Ms. Bar-El reminded the Commission to keep to the agendized
discussion subject.
Chair Pro Tempore Lehrer stated that designating a district
is not a priority at this time. The
Commission needs to consult with the community in another forum other than tonight. She stated that Gilette Regent Square is
much too large to be a viable district.
This is a huge area and is not workable as a historic district. Perhaps a smaller grouping may be
acceptable. She suggested that in
talking more with the community there may be something that comes out of 18th
Street. At this point they are not in a
position to direct staff. There are two
things that make a district a good planning tool: what the community wants for
their neighborhood and whether the resources are there.
Commissioner Posek stated
that the Commission went about this the wrong way and it didn't
work. He also agreed with Commissioner
Lehrer that decisions need to come from the community and information needs to
be delivered. It is much too early to
think about this and more input is needed from a sub-committee and staff.
Commissioner Schnitzler stated that a sub-committee could be
used to prioritize potential districts.
There are structures of merit pending, and she doesn’t believe that any
community meetings will serve a purpose at this time. She is not in favor of a district on 18th Street.
Chairperson Alofsin summarized that there are a variety of
opinions and there is no consensus at this time and to become more
informed. She asked the community to
investigate their options at this time.
Information is a resource. She
also stated that the Commission will not take future steps without public input
and consensus.
Staff will work with the
subcommittee, which will return with a progress report and recommendations on
how to proceed. Also, information will
be delivered to the community through the sub-committee.
B. Demolition
Permits
1. 1304 Cedar
Street (PC012753)
R1/Single
Family Residential
Single
Family Residence w/ Garage
Structure Identified
in Historic Resources Inventory - 5D1
The following members of the public addressed the Commission
on this item: Eleanor Haynes (property
owner), Ashok Malik, Charles Haynes, Chuck Allord, Harold Korduner, Louie
Tomaro (Architect for Mrs. Haynes), Joe Thompson and Greg Poirier.
Chairperson
Alofsin asked staff to clarify what form of notification was provided.
Ms. Bar-El stated that the public was notified by a posted
sign as required by Code.
Commissioner Schnitzler stated she visited the site and
would like to find a way to save this house.
She did not find this to be a potential district because it did not
display the integrity that a district would warrant. She stated that the neighbors were unanimously opposed.
Commissioner Posek stated he drove by the property on the
corner lot. He does not believe that
Cedar Street would be a potential historic district. The house is a very interesting house. However he would like to pass on this one.
Chair Pro Tempore Lehrer stated that she sees this as a
representative neighborhood and a typical profile of the Santa Monica
neighborhood in its area. It conveys a
strong feeling of past time and place and has potential as a district. The resources are there but it does not
serve a community agenda.
Commissioner Fresco stated she has driven down this street
and feels that the residents do not want the district. This is an interesting and prominent house
on the corner and seems the least altered, however, she is on the fence about
it.
Chairperson Alofsin stated that the Commissioners should
decide whether to take action based on this one house and not the concept of a
district.
No action was taken on this
property.
2. 516 23rd
Street (PC012830)
R1/Single
Family Residential
Single
Family Home w/Detached Garage
Structure
Not Listed in Historic Resources Inventory
No action was taken on this property.
3. 722 20th
Street (PC012872)
R1/ Single
Family Residential
Single
Family Home w/Detached Garage
Structure
Not Listed in Historic Resources Inventory
No action was taken on this property.
C. Preservation
Week Certificates of Recognition, Event Plans
Ms. Bar-El stated that Certificates of Recognition would be
given out at the Landmarks Commission meeting in May. The Commission approved the selection of 6 recipients.
On May 14, 2002, at the Council meeting a Proclamation for
Preservation week will be presented.
Santa Monica and West Hollywood will co-host two events
entitled at the “Courtyards of the Westside”. Santa Monica’s event will take
place on Thursday May 16, 2002 at 5:00 p.m. at Hotchkiss Park, next to
Hollister Court. She stated that this
event will be open to the public and the Planning Commission and City Council
are invited. She stated that Dr. Ken
Breisch will be the guest speaker.
D.
Planning Commission
Case List (Information Only)
10. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: (Requests
from Commissioners to add items to upcoming agendas)
Chairperson Alofsin wrote a letter last June to City Council
about the demolition permit process being at the end. She wanted to know the next step to revive this letter.
Commissioner Schnitzler stated that the Marion Davis Estate
on the beach is currently rotting. She
asked that staff please look into this property and present an update.
Commissioner Fresco presented a City form for residential
building reports that is filled out by a code compliance officer. She suggested that this is a possible place
to list historic resources inventory information to help deliver information to
the public.
11. NEXT MEETING DATE AND COMMISSION AGENDA: Monday, May 13,
2002
12. ADJOURNMENT: 10:35 p.m.