MINUTES

 

MEETING OF THE

LANDMARKS COMMISSION

Founded 1875

“Populus felix in urbe felici”

 

 

Monday, May 13, 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:                    Commissioner Genser

                                    Chair Pro Tempore Lehrer

                                    Commissioner Posek

                                    Commissioner Schnitzler

                                    Chairperson Alofsin

 

Absent:                     Commissioner Fresco

 

Aso present:            Liz Bar-El, Staff Liason

                                    Kimberly Christensen, Senior Planner

                                    Barry Rosenbaum, City Attorney

                                    Arlene Johnson, Staff Assistant

 

2            REPORT FROM STAFF:

 

Ms. Bar-El stated that City Council would be presenting a proclamation at 6:45 p.m. tomorrow night.  In regard to the residential building report form that Commissioner Fresco spoke about, staff spoke to Building and Safety and code enforcement and they agreed that the information would be useful.  This information will be added to the residential building report form.  She reported on the California Preservation conference.  She stated that it was a good session and there were good incentives for designated structures.  It will be held next year in Santa Barbara.  She spoke with HRG regarding the North of Montana Inventory, and the update should be completed by the end of May, which will include the complete list and finalized report document.  Also, the plans for 225 Santa Monica Blvd. will go to the Architectural Review Board on May 20th.  They were revised to respond to PCR’s comments.  The staff report will be online on Thursday.  The appeal of 2553 3rd Street was continued to June 11th.  She also informed the Commission and the public that Item 7C, 224 18th Street will need environmental review before the public hearing.  Date of hearing TBA.  She also reminded the Commission about the Preservation Month event at Hotchkiss Park on Thursday, May 16th.

 

Commissioner Genser made a motion to move Item 7C regarding 224 18th Street up on the agenda.  Chairperson Alofsin seconded the motion but did not initiate a voice vote.

 

Mr. Rosenbaum provided some information regarding the need for further review under CEQA prior to the public hearing.

 

Commissioner Posek made a motion to continue Item 7C.  Commissioner Genser seconded the motion, which carried by voice vote.

 

Chair Pro Tempore Lehrer made a motion to move Item 6C up on the agenda.  Commissioner Genser seconded the motion, which carried unanimously by voice vote.

 

Chairperson Alofsin presented the Certificates of Recognition.  The recipients were: The Charmont Hotel, The Baxter Residence, Hollister Court, The Lido Hotel, The Georgian Hotel and the Isaac Milbanks House.

 

3.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

         Public Input Permitted

                       

A.  April 2, 2002

 

B.  April 8, 2002

 

Corrections to April 2nd minutes: Page 2, Commissioner Genser asked if the survey covered the south side of Montana Ave, and says consultant said yes, not no. Ms. Christensen made the correction that it does not cover the southside. 

 

Correction to April 8th minutes: Chair Pro Tem Lehrer stated that in the first paragraph on page 7, it should read, they have not provided information to the affected public.

 

Commissioner Posek made a motion to approve  the minutes.  Commissioner   Schnitzler seconded the motion, which carried by voice vote with Commissioner Genser voting no on the April 2nd minutes and abstaining on the April 8th minutes.

 

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

 

      The following members of the public spoke: Chuck Allord on items being removed from the agenda at the last minute.  Greg Poirier on the Commission taking direct action on designations.  Marc Schrobilgen on 224 18th Street and financial hardship.

 

Pam O’Connor stated that the City Council periodically holds meetings on how to make the hearing process work better.  She stated that the meeting was not prompted by the Landmarks Commission.  She also stated that she saw allegations in the press that the recent meetings were not properly noticed and noted that this is not true.

 

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: Structure of Merit Designation Application LC-02-LM-001, 451 18th Street, disapproving 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.

 

B.            Statement of Official Action: Structure of Merit Designation Application LC-02-LM-002, 470 18th Street.  No action taken; technical denial of application.

 

      Chair Pro Tempore Lehrer made a motion to approve Items 6A and 6B.  Commissioner Posek seconded the motion, which carried unanimously by voice vote.

 

C.            Presentation of Certificates of Recognition for Preservation Week 2002.

 

            Six certificates were presented by Chairperson Alofsin.

 

7.         PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

         Public Input Permitted

                       

A.  Certificate of Appropriateness Application No. LC-02CA-004, 380 Santa           
      Monica Pier, for alterations to signage and placement of portable ticket and              
      photo booths on the Landmark Santa Monica Pier.

                       

        Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El.

 

        The following member of the public addressed the Commission on this         item:  Dana Wyatt, applicant.

 

Chairperson Alofsin asked if the design logo would go on all doors.  Mr. Wyatt responded yes.

 

Chair Pro Tem Lehrer made a motion to approve per staff recommendation.  Commissioner Schnitzler seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote: 

 

Roll call vote:

        Ayes:        Genser, Posek, Schnitzler, Lehrer, Alofsin                                   

        Nayes:        None

        Absent:        Fresco   

        Abstain:        None

 

B.      Certificate of Appropriateness Application No. LC-02CA-007, 200 Santa Monica Pier, to replace 560 linear feet of safety handrails on the north side of the Landmark Santa Monica Pier.

 

            Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El.

 

Chairperson Alofsin recommended that the City consider making the rails of stainless steel because galvanized would rust.  Commissioner Genser made a motion for approval per staff’s recommendation.  Chair Pro Tem Lehrer seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote:

 

   Roll call Vote:

            Ayes:            Genser, Posek, Schnitzler, Lehrer, Alofsin                                   

            Nayes:            None  

            Absent:            Fresco         

            Abstain:         None

 

C.      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.

 

Continued (to be renoticed in order to complete environmental analysis pursuant to CEQA).

                       

8.      OLD BUSINESS:

         Public Input Permitted

 

A.  None.

 

 

 

 

9.           DISCUSSION ITEMS:

         Public Input Permitted

 

A.   Demolition Permits

 

      1.      2609-1/2 3rd Street (PC012975)

            OP2/Low Multiple Residential

               1-Story Structure

            Structure Identified in Historic Resources Inventory. Contributing structure to Third Street Neighborhood Historic District.

 

               The following member of the public addressed the Commission on this item:  Donald Weggeman.  Staff noted that this permit was on hold pending Landmarks consideration of a Certificate of Appropriateness for the demolition.

 

      2.      859 Harvard Street (PC013015)

            R1/Single Family Residential

            Single Family Residence w/ Detached Garage

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

3.      603 7th Street (PC013000)

R1/Single Family Residential

Two-Story, Single Family Residence w/ Detached Garage

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

4.      1719 Ocean Front Walk (PC012990)

R3R/Medium Density Multiple Family Coastal Residential

            Multiple Dwellings w/ Free Standing 2-Car Garage

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

5.      917 Yale Street (PC012924)

R1/Single Family Residential

One-Story, Single Family Residential w/ Detached Garage

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

6.      2464 Hill Street (PC013022)

R1/Single Family Residential

         Single Family Residential w/ Detached Garage

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

7.      1733 Pine Street (PC013035)

R1/Single Family Residential

         Single Family Residential

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

8.      1508 17th Street (PC013040)

BCD/Broadway Commercial District

One-Story Wood Structure

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

9.      537 Lincoln Blvd. (PC012946)

R1/Single Family Residential

         One-Story, Single Family Residential w/ Detached Garage

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

10.    209 Euclid Street (PC012948)

R1/Single Family Residential

         One-Story, Single Family Residential w/ Garage

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

11.    357 24th Street (PC012949)

R1/Single Family Residential

         One-Story, Single Family Residence

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

12.    2462 Oak Street (PC012960)

R2/Low Density Multiple Residential

3-Unit Apartment Building w/ Attached Garage

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

13.    522 9th Street (PC012965)

R1/Single Family Residential

         Single Family Residence

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

14.    308 Euclid Street (PC012950)

R1/Single Family Residential

         One-Story, Single Family Residence

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

15.    1315 26th Street (PC012957)

R2/Low Density Multiple Residential

               One-Story, Single Family Residence

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

               No action was taken on Items 9A(1-15)

     

16.    249 Euclid Street (PC012882)

R1/Single Family Residential

        Single Family Residential w/ Detached Garage

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

Commissioner Posek made a motion to continue this item, conduct research and bring it back next month.  Chair Pro Tempore Lehrer seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote:

 

         Roll call vote:

         Ayes:         Genser, Lehrer, Posek, Schnitzler, Alofsin

         Nayes:         None

         Absent:         Fresco

         Abstain:         None

 

Ms. Christensen informed the Commission of the timeframe in which a decision could be rendered on this item.  Commissioner Posek said he would agree to rescind his motion.  Commissioner Genser moved to rescind the motion.  Commissioner Schnitzler seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote:

 

Roll call vote:

         Ayes:         Genser, Lehrer, Posek, Schnitzler, Alofsin

         Nayes:         None

         Absent:         Fresco

         Abstain:         None

 

Chair Pro Tem Lehrer made a motion to file an application for a Structure of Merit.   Commissioner Posek seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote: 

 

         Roll call vote:

         Ayes:         Genser, Lehrer, Posek, Alofsin

         Nayes:         Schnitzler

         Absent:         Fresco

         Abstain:         None

 

17.    318 11th Street (PC012916)

R1/Single Family Residential

        Single Family Resident

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

18.    1429 Cloverfield Blvd. (PC012931)

R3/Medium Density Multi-Family Residential

Demo House, Garage and Shed

            Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

19.    523 Raymond Avenue (PC013042)

OP2/Low Multiple Residential

Single Family Residence

Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

               No action was taken on Items 9A(17-19)

 

Commissioner Genser stated that he was alarmed that the Commission had 19 demolition applications and noted that most of them were located north of Montana Avenue.

              

B.  Sub-committee on Community Outreach & Processes report

 

      Chair Pro Tem Lehrer stated that communication with the community is a priority.

 

      Commissioner Genser stated he would like to see staff work more with the Commission in the neighborhoods.  He stated that the Commission did ask for this in their letter to the City Council.  He stated that the process needs the staff at the beginning and not the end.  He suggested making recommendations to Council including specific code changes. 

 

      Alofsin asked if more staff would be added.

 

      Ms. Christensen stated that no additional staffing is anticipated at this time with the City shortfalls.  However, it would be up to the City Council to make that decision through the upcoming budget process.  Additionally, the Landmarks Commission’s requests have been forwarded to the City Council.

 

Council Liaison O’Connor stated that the budget study session would be held in a few weeks and the adoption would come 3 weeks later. 

 

Chairperson Alofsin mentioned the three farmers markets and the arts and crafts fairs on the Promenade as possible opportunities for community outreach.

 

Commissioner Schnitzler stated that we need a good handout that explains the ordinance and districts to hand out at the booth.  It should be condensed with good graphics.

 

Chair Pro Tem Lehrer stated that with good graphic materials including boards on easels w/ pictures, people would be drawn to come, look and understand. 

 

      Commissioner Schnitzler stated that they should meet again to discuss these issues.  Ms. Bar-El stated that she would set-up another sub-committee meeting.

 

C.  Marion Davies Estate: Update on maintenance and plans for use of property.

 

      Ms. Bar-El gave an update on maintenance and Community and Cultural Services’ plans for raising money to implement the City’s plan for the site.

 

                  Commissioner Schnitzler commented on the plan.

 

      Council Liaison O’Connor stated that the money is not there to move this project forward.

 

      Chair Pro Tem Lehrer stated that Community and Cultural Services should look into Prop 40 State funds.

 

D.   Planning Commission Case List (Information Only)

 

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

 

·              Commissioner Genser asked that the sub-committee report back next month.

 

11.    NEXT MEETING DATE AND COMMISSION AGENDA: Monday, June 10, 2002

 

12.         ADJOURNMENT:  9:00 p.m.