MINUTES

MINUTES

MEETING OF THE

LANDMARKS COMMISSION

Founded 1875

“Populus felix in urbe felici”

Monday, June 10, 2002	City Council Chambers, Room 213
7:00 p.m.	1685 Main Street, Santa Monica

CALL TO ORDER: 7:15 p.m.

1. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioner Fresco

Commissioner Genser

Commissioner Posek

Commissioner Schnitzler

Chair Pro Tem Lehrer

Chairperson Alofsin

Also present: Liz Bar-El, Commission Liaison

Kimberly Christensen, Senior Planner

Barry Rosenbaum, City Attorney

Arlene Johnson, Staff Assistant

Absent: None

2 REPORT FROM STAFF:

Ms. Bar-El reported that the budget would be going to City Council on June 18^th for adoption. After that hearing the Department will have its priorities for next year finalized. The update on 225 Santa Monica Blvd. is that the Architectural Review Board approved the plans on May 20th. She announced the Santa Monica Historical Society reopening and forwarded an invitation to the Commission to attend. An invitation was also posted on the bulletin board for the public. The opening will be held this coming Saturday, June 15^th, from 1-5 p.m. She reminded the Commission that at the July meeting, they would be choosing a chair for the next term.

Commissioner Genser stated that he would not be attending the July meeting. Commissioner Schnitzler also stated that she would not be attending the July meeting.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Public Input Permitted

A. May 13, 2002

Chair Pro Tem Lehrer, made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner

Genser seconded the motion, which carried unanimously by voice vote.

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

The following members of the public addressed the Commission: Frank Cullum on use of a photograph, Norman Peterson on opposing historic districts and Bea Nemlaha on supporting the Commission in their work.

Chairperson Alofsin reminded the public that the Commission would not be discussing historic districts this evening.

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

Chair Pro Tem Lehrer shared the National Alliance of Preservation brochure with the Commission. She stated that they have a national conference every other year and this year it will be held in San Antonio in early August. She stated that it is a wonderful learning and networking opportunity. Also, the National Trust for Historic Preservation publishes a list every year on the 11 most endangered places. She stated that one of the most endangered places was listed as “Tear downs: Historic Neighborhoods Nationwide”. She read an excerpt from the article.

6. CONSENT CALENDAR:

Public Input Permitted

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

B. Statement of Official Action: Certificate of Appropriateness Application No. LC-02CA-007, 200 Santa Monica Pier, approving replacement of 560 linear feet of safety handrails on the north side of the Landmark Santa Monica Pier.

Commissioner Genser made a motion to approve Items 6A and 6B. Commissioner Posek seconded the motion which carried unanimously by voice vote.

7. PUBLIC HEARINGS:

Public Input Permitted

A. Certificate of Appropriateness Application No. LC-02CA-009, 200 Santa Monica Pier, to install a directory sign near the police sub-station on the Landmark Santa Monica Pier.

Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El.

The following member of the public addressed the Commission: Mark Richter, Economic Development Manager.

Commissioner Schnitzler asked if the Commission would be approving just the sign at the Pier location. Mr. Richter responded yes.

Chair Pro Tem Lehrer made a motion to approve the proposed directory sign on the Pier, clarifying that the approval does not include the Palisades Park sign shown on the plans. Commissioner Schnitzler seconded the motion which carried by the following vote:

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

Nayes: None

Absent: None

Abstain: None

B. Structure of Merit Designation Application LC-02-LM-003, 249 Euclid Street, to consider a Structure of Merit Designation Application for a single-family residence.

Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El.

The following members of the public addressed the Commission: Michael Tinger (owner), Meda Croizat, Suzanne Borghei, Chuck Allord, Greg Poirier, Sam Tooch, Tom Larmore.

At the request of Chair Alofsin, following public testimony, Ms. Bar-El clarified that the property owner was notified in writing on May 14th and again on May 28^th of the Landmarks Commission nomination and hearing.

Chair Pro Tem Lehrer stated that the property owner did not come before the Commission to address this property at last month’s meeting, and that in order to obtain more information, the Commission made this nomination as allowed by the Municipal Code. She stated the nomination did not have to do with a district designation, but the architectural merits of the individual structure. The Commission’s deliberation is always two-fold: 1) What are the needs of the property owner and, 2) What are the important architectural characteristics of the property. It is a complex issue and is hard for the Commission to make a decision without sufficient information.

Commissioner Schnitzler commented on the large number of people who came to the meeting because of a flyer they had received. She explained the Landmarks Commission review process, which is triggered by any building in Santa Monica over 40 years old.

Commissioner Posek stated that he looked at the staff report and drove by the home. He agrees with the staff report. He also stated that he agreed that this house had some interest that merited another look.

Chair Pro Tem Lehrer commented on the ability to remodel designated Structures of Merit.

Commissioner Genser concurred with Commissioner Schnitzler’s comments. He stated that the Landmarks procedure does have some flaws and he would hope in the future to make some changes to improve them. The notification process is already being modified and improved. The Commission’s charge is to look at the significance of properties. He stated that the Commission thought the house had some merit. Therefore, they referred it to staff and staff made their findings. Now the Commission will move forward based on the staff report. He stated that there has been a lot of misinformation, and he hopes that the public will look at the process positively because in the end the Commission is trying to do what’s right for the neighborhood.

Commissioner Genser made a motion for disapproval of the designation. Commissioner Schnitzler seconded the motion, which carried by the following vote:

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

Nayes: None

Absent: None

Abstain: None

C. Certificate of Appropriateness Applications No. LC-02CA-011 and LC-02CA-012, 400 Santa Monica Pier and 1685 Main Street, to install two antennae on top of the Pier Harbor Office on the Landmark Santa Monica Pier, and on the rooftop of City Hall, a designated landmark, to improve data communication between City facilities. (Continued to date uncertain)

8. OLD BUSINESS:

Public Input Permitted

A. Proposal to discuss and adopt recommendations of the Ad-hoc Sub-committee related to Landmarks Processes, Community Outreach & Historic Districts including sending a letter to the City Council regarding Budget and Historic Preservation Programs.

Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El.

Commissioner Genser stated that the sub-committee met and in the previous month made some recommendations regarding possible changes to the ordinance. The focus of this meeting was the timing because of the budget hearings in City Council. The letter to the City Council is to request to prioritize revision of the Landmarks Ordinance for the Planning Division in the next fiscal year. He also made a few editing remarks to the letter.

Commissioner Genser made a motion to send this letter to the City Council. Chair Pro Tem Lehrer seconded the motion, which carried unanimously by voice vote.

9. DISCUSSION ITEMS:

Public Input Permitted

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

1. 1401 Olympic Blvd. (PC013064)

DP/Designated Parks District

Concession Stand/Announcer’s Booth, Public Restrooms & Storage Bldg