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MINUTES |
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MEETING OF THELANDMARKS COMMISSION Founded 1875 “Populus felix in urbe felici” |
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Monday,
January 13, 2003 |
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7:00
p.m. |
City Council
Chambers, Room 213, 1685 Main
Street, Santa Monica |
CALL
TO ORDER: 7:05
p.m.
1. ROLL CALL
Present:
Nina Fresco
Robert Posek
James Rosenfield
Barbara Schnitzler
Roger Genser
Ruthann Lehrer
Also Present:
Kimberly Christensen
Elizabeth Bar-El
Barry Rosenbaum
Arlene Johnson
Absent:
None
2 REPORT
FROM STAFF:
Ms. Bar-El
informed the Commission that the City Council will hold a hearing for the first
reading of the revisions to the Landmarks Ordinance on January 28th. Staff has added some procedural
recommendations. It will be available
on the City’s website once the agenda is posted one week before the
hearing.
2525 Main
Street and 145 –147 Bay Street. Both of
these variances were appealed and will go before the Planning Commission March
19th.
The Neimeyer
house, 1911 La Mesa, is in escrow.
City Council
will make a decision on January 14th to fill the vacant position for
a licensed architect for the Landmarks Commission.
The annual
Boards and Commissions dinner will be held on May 5th in the Civic Auditorium. Invitations will be mailed to all
Commissioners. The City Clerk’s office
will be mailing form 700 (Economic Interest Form) to Commissioners the first
week of March, and it is due back on April 1st.
The APA will
be hosting a professional development workshop on historic preservation. It will be held on February 18, 2003 and is
a full day workshop.
3. COMMISSIONER
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
None
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Public
Input Permitted
A. December 9, 2002
Commissioner
Posek made a motion to approve the minutes with the following corrections: Stipulate that Harold Griffen represented
the property owner for 918 5th Street, and add that Chair Pro Tem Genser made a
substitute motion on this item, which was not seconded. Chair Pro Tem Genser seconded the motion,
which passed unanimously by voice vote.
5. APPROVAL OF STATEMENTS OF OFFICIAL ACTION:
A. Statement of Official Action: Certificate of
Appropriateness Application No. LC 02CA-019, approving repainting of the
structure at 2612 Main Street (the First Roy Jones House, now the California
Heritage Museum) resulting in a change of colors.
B. Statement of Official Action: Certificate of
Appropriateness Application No. LC 02CA-020, allowing new siding, windows and
painting on the two-story rear structure located at 2617 Third Street, a
contributing structure to the Third Street Neighborhood Historic District.
C. Statement of Official Action: Designation of
601 Pico Blvd. (Barnum Hall on the Santa Monica High School campus) as a City
Landmark (Landmark Designation Application LC-02LM-005), including the
following character defining features located in interior public spaces: the
Stanton MacDonald-Wright mosaic and fire curtain, the foyer terrazzo floor.
D. Statement of
Official Action: Designation of 918 5th Street (Cedar Tree) as a City Landmark
(Landmark Designation Application LC-02LM-006).
E. Statement of
Official Action: Designation of 954 5th Street (Turn of Century Residence), as
a City Landmark (Landmark Designation Application LC-02LM-007).
Chair Pro Tem
Genser made a motion to approve Items 5A,C,D&E. Commissioner Fresco
seconded the motion which passed unanimously by voice vote.
Commissioner Posek made a motion to
approve Item 5B. Commissioner Fresco
seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with Chair Pro Tem Genser
abstaining.
6. PUBLIC
INPUT: (On
items not on agenda and within the jurisdiction of the Commission)
7. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Public
Input Permitted
None.
8. NEW BUSINESS/PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Public Input Permitted
A. Landmark
Designation Application LC-02LM-008, 317 Georgina Avenue, to determine whether
the proposed property is appropriate for formal consideration of the Landmark
Designation Application.
Staff report
presented by Liz Bar-El.
The following
member of the public addressed the Commission: Jeff Beall, property owner.
Commissioner
Rosenfield asked the owner why he decided to landmark his home.
Mr. Beall
stated that he is seeking the designation for aesthetic and architectural
reasons. He is also motivated by the
financial incentive of the tax reduction through the Mills Act.
Chairperson
Lehrer asked how much of the interior of the house remains intact.
Mr. Beall
stated that he would estimate that approximately over 75% is still intact. There was a significant addition of the
master bedroom in the early 1980s. Also
there may have been wall movement in the upstairs small bedroom.
Chair Pro Tem
Genser thanked Mr. Beall for nominating his home.
Commissioner
Posek made a motion to schedule a formal hearing. Commissioner Schnitzler
seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Fresco, Posek, Rosenfield,
Schnitzler, Genser, Lehrer
Nayes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
B. Landmark
Designation Application LC-02LM-009, 507 - 517 Wilshire Boulevard to determine
whether the proposed property is appropriate for formal consideration of the
Landmark Designation Application.
Staff report presented by Liz Bar-El.
The following member of the public
addressed the Commission: Eli Alber, in
regard to the status of the building.
Commissioner Schnitzler asked that the
square footage and development potential be included in next month's staff
report.
Chair Pro Tem Genser stated that he is
not really enthusiastic about this building.
Commissioner Fresco stated that the
strip is interesting and she would like to see it remain.
Commissioner Posek stated that this is
a very non-descript building at first glance. However it is has potential.
Commissioner Schnitzler stated that it
is a very strong candidate and a contributor to the downtown commercial
district.
Chairperson Lehrer stated that it is an
elegant building. It is architecturally
subtle, doesn’t scream at you, and is a strong contributor to downtown.
Commissioner Posek made a motion to
file an application for landmark designation.
Commissioner Rosenfield seconded the motion, which passed by the
following vote:
Ayes: Fresco, Posek, Rosenfield,
Schnitzler, Genser, Lehrer
Nayes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: 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. 1544
Euclid Street (PC013848)
R3/Medium Density Multiple
Residential
Two Detached Units and Garage
Structure Not Identified in
the Historic Resources Inventory
2. 1104 Franklin Avenue (PC013883)
R1/Single
Family Residential
Single Family
Resident w/ 3-Car Attached Garage
Structure Not Identified in
the Historic Resources Inventory
3. 1231 16th Street (PC013866)
CP3/Commercial
Professional District
Single Family
Resident
Structure Not Identified in
the Historic Resources Inventory
4. 1931 Stewart Street (PC013896)
RMH/Residential Mobile Home Park
Storage Shed
Structure Not Identified in
the Historic Resources Inventory
5. 1343 6th Street (PC013897)
C3/Downtown Commercial
Santa Monica Public Library Garage
Structure Not Identified in
the Historic Resources Inventory
6. 2311 Pearl Street (PC013907)
R1/Single Family Residential
Detached Garage
Structure Not Identified in
the Historic Resources Inventory
7. 402 10th Street (PC013912)
R1/Single Family Residential
One-Story, Single Family Resident
w/Detached Garage
Structure Not Identified in
the Historic Resources Inventory
8. 25
Gale Place (PC013801)
R1/Single Family Residential
Single Family House w/Attached Two-Car
Garage
Structure Not Identified in the
Historic Resources Inventory
No action was
taken on Item 10A(1-8).
B. Discussion of Landmark nominations, Landmark
application fees and formation of a Commission policy regarding the Commission
filing applications on behalf of owners for Landmark designations. (continued from December 9, 2002)
Chairperson
Lehrer passed out to the Commission her fee survey on other cities and their
fees for landmark designation applications.
Ms. Bar-El
explained how the landmark fees charged are used in conjunction with the
designation process.
Commissioner
Schnitzler stated that charging this fee is a strong disincentive to the applicant.
Chairperson
Lehrer suggested having the applicant hire their own consultants to do their
research, which may be more cost effective and allow the City to reduce its
fees.
Commissioner
Fresco stated that it is community minded to designate your property by giving
of your property and investment for community enjoyment, and she feels it is
wrong for the owner to have to pay for it.
She feels the City should bear the cost.
Commissioner
Genser stated that this is a proactive action on the property owner’s
part. He feels the fee should perhaps
be lowered, but not dismissed completely.
A discussion followed on the need to avoid frivolous applications.
Commissioner
Rosenfield suggested a reimbursement to the applicant if the property is designated.
Ms. Bar-El
suggested that the Commission submit a letter to City Council regarding their
views on landmark application fees.
Schnitzler
suggested that staff include the letter with the incentive package to City
Council. Genser made a motion to authorize
Chairperson Lehrer to write a letter based on the discussion and staff would
forward it to the Council to discuss along with the Landmarks Ordinance
revision. Commissioner Rosenfield
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote.
Pam O’Connor
suggested that a Commissioner be present to speak at the Council meeting. Several Commissioners stated that they would
attend.
C. Discussion to consider sponsoring the
placement of additional plaques on designated City Landmarks. (continued from December 9, 2002)
Ms.
Christensen gave the Commission an overview on the plaque installation process.
A
discussion followed regarding the administration of a plaque program.
Chairperson
Lehrer asked that staff bring back a list of properties that have plaques along
with any pertinent information. The
discussion was continued to February 10, 2003.
D. Consideration of whether the Commission should
file an application to nominate Palisades Park as a City Landmark. (Requested by Commissioner Rosenfield)
Chair Pro Tem Genser passed around
literature on Palisades Park. He stated
that it is a wise decision to work with the Parks and Recreation Commission as
much as possible on this idea.
This
item was continued to a date uncertain to allow CCS staff to prepare
information
for a discussion on the implications of Landmark status for the
park.
E. Discussion of whether the Commission should
recommend to the City Council that the City prepare a Tree Ordinance and
possible preparation of a letter on this topic to the Council. (Requested by Commissioner Schnitzler)
Commissioner
Schnitzler requested that staff draft a letter to the Council and Recreation
and Parks Commission, with a copy to Community and Cultural Services informing
them that the Landmarks Commission supports a tree ordinance. The letter will be brought back to the
Commission for approval February 10, 2003.
Chair Pro Tem Genser made a motion to invite the Santa Monica
Conservancy to co-sponsor an event for preservation week. Commissioner
Schnitzler seconded the motion which passed unanimously by voice vote.
The
Commissioners and staff discussed ideas for trying to introduce more certainty
for applicants regarding their applications for modifications. Several commissioners brought up their
desire to assist Landmark property owners as much as possible to make the
system work more smoothly for them. Ms.
Bar-El and City Attorney Rosenbaum explained the issues surrounding the
Commission’s offering their opinions prior to a public hearing, which might
jeopardize the fairness of the hearing.
Ms. Bar-El also explained that she often assists the applicants with
their plans and that the consultant’s review comments can be incorporated prior
to the Commission’s hearing. No action was taken at this time.
H. Discussion of additional ways to inform
purchasers of property in Santa Monica that demolitions of structures over 40
years of age require Landmarks Commission review. (Requested by Commissioner Fresco)
As with the
above item, the Commission and staff discussed ways to improve communication with
the public regarding the review process for proposed demolitions over 40 years
of age. Commissioner Fresco stated that
she would like some kind of “Landmarks clearance” process that does not involve
a demolition permit. Although no
conclusion was reached, staff stated that Planning staff already makes and will
continue to make every effort to inform prospective applicants of the City’s
policies at the earliest point of contact.
Commissioner
Fresco also asked about requiring residential Realtors to disclose information
on this topic to prospective buyers.
Commissioner Rosenfield stated that he believed it was possible to do
that and that he would look into it and bring information back to the February
meeting. A discussion on that subject
will be agendized in February.
I. Planning Commission Case List (Information
Only)
11. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
Public
Input Permitted
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.
This item was
heard earlier along with Item 10-B.
The following
member of the public addressed the Commission: Gerard Casale, property owner.
After a lengthy discussion regarding policy changes, fees and timelines,
Commissioner Fresco made a motion to file a landmark designation application
for 710 Adelaide Place. Commissioner
Rosenfield seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Fresco, Genser, Posek, Rosenfield
Nayes: None
Abstain: Schnitzler, Lehrer
Absent: None
Chair Pro Tem made a motion to re-consider the first motion. Chairperson Lehrer seconded the motion,
which failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Schnitzler, Genser, Lehrer
Nayes: Fresco, Posek, Rosenfield
Abstain: None
Absent: None
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: (Requests from Commissioners to add
items to upcoming agendas)
Discussion of providing information regarding
the City’s Demolition policy on Residential Real Estate contracts (Commissioner
Fresco).
13. NEXT
MEETING DATE AND COMMISSION AGENDA: Monday, February 10, 2003.
14. ADJOURNMENT: 10:35 p.m.