MINUTES

 

MEETING OF THE

LANDMARKS COMMISSION

Founded 1875

“Populus felix in urbe felici”

 

 

 

Monday, May 12, 2003

 

7:00 p.m.

City Council Chambers, Room 213,

1685 Main Street, Santa Monica

 

CALL TO ORDER: 7:11 p.m.

 

1.     ROLL CALL    

Present:

Commissioner Fresco

Chair Pro Tem Genser

Commissioner Kaplan

Commissioner Posek

Commissioner Schnitzler    

 

Also Present:

Kimberly Christensen

Elizabeth Bar-El

Barry Rosenbaum

Arlene Johnson

Councilman Michael Feinstein

 

Absent:

Chairperson Lehrer

Commissioner Rosenfield

 

2       REPORT FROM STAFF:

 

Ms. Bar-El gave an update on 415 Pacific Coast Highway, the Marion Davies Estate.  Historic Resource Group prepared a technical report and Community and Cultural services has now received approval from the State Department of Parks and Recreation to demolish the following buildings: two cabana structures, banquet building, locker building, (including enclosed porch, reception area, deck structure, ancillary maintenance storage sheds).  None are historic nor contribute to the historic character of the estate.  The landmark approval for the Mariasol Restaurant was appealed and will be going to City Council, May 20th.  Also, May will be proclaimed as Historic Preservation month at the May 13th City Council meeting.

 

 

3.      COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

         None

 

4.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

         Public Input Permitted

                                     

A.  April 14, 2003

 

Commissioner Fresco made a motion to approve the minutes.  Commissioner   Posek seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote with Commissioner Kaplan abstaining, and the following corrections:  On page 8, the Adhoc Committee members are Commissioner Posek and Commissioner Rosenfield; on page 9; strike Chair Pro Tem Genser’s comment on the Community Garden; on page 4 (9-a), the correct continued date should be June 9th.

 

   5.   APPROVAL OF STATEMENTS OF OFFICIAL ACTION:

 

A.  Statement of Official Action: Certificate of Appropriateness LC-03CA-004, 401 Santa Monica Pier.  Request to revise approved windows on the upper level addition to Mariasol Restaurant, located on the Landmark Santa Monica Pier.

 

B.  Landmark Designation Application LC-02LM-010, 502-504 Raymond Avenue, designating the structure as a City Landmark.

 

 

         Commissioner Posek made a motion to approve Item 5b.  Commissioner Fresco seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote.

        

Commissioner Schnitzler made a motion to approve Item 5a modifying the findings as follows:  The proposed work would not detrimentally change, destroy or adversely affect any exterior feature of the landmark Santa Monica Pier because the proposed windows would not impact character-defining features of the Landmark Santa Monica Pier.  Furthermore, the windows as installed by the applicant and retroactively approved herein meet the intent of the Pier Design Guidelines, which call for variation and eclectic window design.  Commissioner Kaplan seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

        

         Rollcall vote:        Posek, Schnitzler, Fresco, Genser

         Abstain:               Kaplan,

         Absent                 Rosenfield, Lehrer

 

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

 

         None.

 

 

7.      CONSENT CALENDAR:

         Public Input Permitted

 

         None.

 

8.      OLD BUSINESS:

         Public Input Permitted

 

A.  Review of Demolition Permit and Consideration Whether to File an Application For Designation of a Structure as a Landmark or Structure of Merit. (Continued from April 14, 2003)

 

159 Hollister Avenue (PC014278)

OP2-Ocean Park Low Multiple Residential

         2-Story, 7 Unit, Multiple Dwelling

         Structure Not Identified in Historic Resources Inventory

 

         The following members of the public addressed the Commission:  David Effress, Philip Ganezer, owner and Michael Felonis.  They discussed the poor structural condition of the building and the numerous modifications made over time. 

 

Commissioner Fresco expressed her concern about the history that the building represents.  She felt strongly that this building should be saved, and would like to see at least the front corner façade remain.

 

Commissioner Kaplan stated that she thought the building represented a certain era of the City’s development.  However, she felt there were better examples of that period and nicer pieces of architecture. 

 

Commissioner Posek felt that there was no way to save this building.

 

Commissioner Schnitzler stated that the building is in very bad condition, and basically is no longer a commercial structure.  She stated that she would not be in favor of preserving the façade only because it diminishes the integrity to keep a façade with a new building behind it.

 

Chair Pro Tem Genser stated that he would not support nominating this structure, and would hope that the new owner and architect would try to build a replacement that would be conducive to the rest of the street. 

 

The Commission took no action on this item.

 

9.      NEW BUSINESS/PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

         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.      715 18th Street (PC014368)

                  R1-Single Family Residential

                  2-Car Garage

                  Structure Identified in the Historic Resource Inventory as 5D

 

The following member of the public addressed the Commission: Kevin McCauley, owner.

 

         2.      525 Marine Street (PC014390)

                  OP2-Low Multiple Residential

                  Single Family Resident w/Detached 3-Car Garage

                  Structure Not Identified in the Historic Resource Inventory

 

No action was taken on these items.

 

B.  Discussion of 1911 La Mesa Drive (Oscar Neimeyer/ Strick House) and Consideration of Whether to file an Application for Designation of the Property as a City Landmark.

 

      Commissioner Schnitzler recused herself from this discussion item.

 

The following member of the public addressed the Commission: Michael Boyd, owner.

 

Following a lengthy discussion, Commissioner Fresco made a motion to continue this item to next month so the Commission could see the owner’s plans to add a new garage.  Commissioner Kaplan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote.

 

C.  Presentation of the City’s Historic Resources Inventory, including explanation of how it has developed and how it is used. 

 

            This item was continued to next month.

 

D.  Consideration of proposals for inclusion in a resolution delegating authority to the Landmarks Commission Secretary for certain types of modifications requiring a Certificate of Appropriateness.

 

Report presented by Ms. Bar-El with staff’s suggestions for modifications that might be considered for staff level Certificates of Appropriateness.

 

Commissioner Kaplan stated that she felt comfortable with Items 2 and 4 only.  She also felt that when staff approvals are given, the community is not given the benefit of the diverse points of view of the Commission but, rather a professional planning point of view only.

 

Commissioner Schnitzler stated she has a problem with Item 1 because it is too vague.  Items 3 and 4 she felt are good and would streamline the process, although she would add to B that changes should not be visible from the street, even on non-contributing structures. 

 

Commissioner Fresco stated that she is concerned with allowing signage to be staff approved.

 

            Due to the absence of Chairperson Lehrer and Commissioner Rosenfield,

Commissioner Fresco made a motion to continue this item to June 9th.  Commissioner  Schnitzler seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote.

 

E.  Report of Ad-hoc Joint Landmarks/Planning Commission Sub-committee on Incentives and Potential Amendments to the Municipal Code, including discussion of Council Budget Priorities for FY03-04.

                                                                                                                          

      Report presented by Chair Pro Tem Genser.  

 

Councilman Feinstein stated that the annual budget hearings would take place on May 27-29.   Each department makes a presentation about the department’s priorities.   The City Council will ask specific questions in order to identify what their future workload will be. 

 

F.   Planning Commission Case List (Information Only)

 

11.                   WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:

            Public Input Permitted

 

         Councilmember Feinstein stated that the real estate notice item is on the City Council’s agenda.  He spoke to the head of the Beverly Hills Association of Realtors, who has been trying to get the county assessor’s office to include this on the county level for quite some time.  They were not interested, but now that the City has a potential ordinance, they sent it back to the assessor’s office to have them rethink again.

 

         Also, in regard to 159 Hollister Avenue, there is a curb extension in front of the building that was added as a crosswalk enhancement.  He stated it would be interesting if there were a plaque in the sidewalk about the historic status of that corner.  There is a lot of space there and it could be similar to the Pico streetscape project.

 

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

 

Commissioner Schnitzler asked for an update next month from staff regarding the property in the 1400 block of 4th Street that is under development and retaining only its facade.  Also, a discussion on the consequences for Landmark property owners that violate permit requirements.

 

 

13.    NEXT MEETING DATE AND COMMISSION AGENDA: Monday, June 9, 2003.

                                                                                                                       

14.    ADJOURNMENT:  9:15 p.m.