MINUTES

 

MEETING OF THE

LANDMARKS COMMISSION

City of Santa Monica Founded 1875

“Populus felix in urbe felici”

 

 

 

 

Monday, July 14, 2003

 

7:00 p.m.

City Council Chambers, Room 213,

1685 Main Street, Santa Monica

CALL TO ORDER:              7:09 p.m.

 

1.     ROLL CALL    

Present:

Commissioner Fresco

Chair Pro Tem Genser

Chairperson Lehrer

Commissioner Kaplan

Commissioner Schnitzler    

 

Also Present:

Kimberly Christensen

Elizabeth Bar-El

Barry Rosenbaum, City Attorney

Arlene Johnson

 

Absent:

Commissioner Posek

 

2       REPORT FROM STAFF:

 

Ms. Bar-El acknowledged Commissioner Schnitzler's final meeting and presented her with a certificate of appreciation.  

 

3.      COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Commissioner Fresco mentioned a walking tour on La Mesa Drive on July 27, 2003, to raise funds for the Santa Monica Conservancy, which would include the interior views of homes that may never be open again.

 

4.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

         Public Input Permitted

                                     

A.  June 9, 2003

 

      Commissioner   Genser   made a motion to continue approval of the minutes pending corrections.  Commissioner Kaplan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote with the following corrections:  Correction that May is Historic Preservation month, not June.  Correct incomplete statement for Commissioner Fresco on page 4. 

 

   5.   APPROVAL OF STATEMENTS OF OFFICIAL ACTION:

 

A.  Statement of Official Action: Landmark Designation Application LC-03LM-002, 128 Hollister Avenue, designating the subject property as a City Landmark.

        

      Commissioner Genser made a motion to approve the Statement of Official Action.  Commissioner  Kaplan  seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote.  Commissioner Rosenfield abstained.

 

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

 

7.      CONSENT CALENDAR:

         Public Input Permitted

 

         None.

 

8.      OLD BUSINESS:

         Public Input Permitted

 

A.  Landmark Designation Application LC-03LM-003, 522 24th Street, to determine whether the Eucalyptus deanei tree located on the property should be designated as a City Landmark. (Continued from June 9, 2003).

 

      Slide presentation by Walter Warner, Community Forrester.  Additional staff report presented by City Attorney, Barry  Rosenbaum.

 

      The following members of the public addressed the Commission:  Harry Rumack, owner, Tom Larmore, Attorney, Lev Ginsberg, Joseph Argenta, Attorney for 528 24th Street.

 

Following a discussion regarding legal issues and building restrictions,  Commissioner Schnitzler made a motion to designate the tree with staff condition and Administrative review by the Community Forrester for pruning that exceeds ordinary maintenance.  Commissioner Fresco seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

 

 

 

Ayes:              Fresco, Genser, Kaplan, Rosenfield, Schnitzler, Lehrer

Nayes:            None

Abstain:          None

Absent:           Posek

 

B.  Consideration of adoption of a resolution to establish guidelines for staff review and approval of applications for Certificates of Appropriateness as permitted by Landmarks Ordinance SMMC Section 9.36.170(l). (Continued from June 23, 2003)

 

      Commissioner Fresco made a motion to adopt the resolution adding the words “that are not visible from” the street to sub-section 3(d). Commissioner Rosenfield seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

 

Ayes:              Fresco, Genser, Kaplan, Rosenfield, Schnitzler, Lehrer

Nayes:            None

Abstain:          None

Absent:           Posek

 

      Commissioner Fresco made a motion to review this resolution in one year.  Chair Pro Tem Genser seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

 

Ayes:              Fresco, Genser, Kaplan, Rosenfield, Schnitzler, Lehrer

Nayes:            None

Abstain:          None

Absent:           Posek

 

9.      NEW BUSINESS/PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

         Public Input Permitted

                   

A.  Certificate of Appropriateness LC-03CA-002, 380 Santa Monica Pier. Sign Program to Modify an Approved Sign Program, including a Sign Adjustment, for signage within Pacific Park, located on the Landmark Santa Monica Pier. (Continued from June 9, 2003)

                                

Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El.

 

The following members of the pubic addressed the Commission:  Dana Wyatt, Pacific Park, and Jack Fovell.

 

Following a discussion to clarify the proposal, Commissioner Fresco made a motion to continue this item to August to allow the Commissioners more review time to consider the applicant’s concerns with staff recommendations.  The applicants agreed to the continuance.  Chair Pro Tem Genser seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote.

 

B.  Certificate of Appropriateness LC-02CA-008, 301 Santa Monica Pier.  Design, Materials & Colors for a proposed new restaurant (Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.) to replace the Boathouse Restaurant Structure located on the Landmark Santa Monica Pier.

 

            Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El.

 

Overhead presentation by Howard Laks, architect for Bubba Gump.

 

The following members of the public addressed the Commission:  Linda Sullivan and Bea Nemlaha.

 

Commissioner Fresco discussed the Landmarks Commission’s responsibilities in reviewing design of projects on the Pier.

 

Commissioner Rosenfield stated that the design was terrific; that it has good curb appeal, far away and up-close.

 

Commissioner Schnitzler stated that the building is less successful on the south elevation where the Pier guidelines come into play in terms of pedestrian orientation in the Central Plaza.  The elevation is flat.  The two different cornice treatments seem arbitrary.  The scale of the cornice needs to be more articulated. She suggested a neon strip or lighting the edges at pedestrian level.

 

Chair Pro Tem Genser stated that the building needs to be compatible with all of the guidelines and he believes it is.  The small scale of signage is good. 

 

Chaiperson Lehrer stated that she was generally very pleased with the product as designed.  She liked the mission revival use as a historical theme.  She was not bothered by the cornice over the retail space, but felt the cornice line needed to be refined.  The east elevation is vastly improved, but still severe with the flat wall.   The retail frontage does not look inviting enough or open enough.  She liked the open seating area, particularly around the front. 

 

Commissioner Fresco stated she was concerned about the 11-1/2 feet of additional height in front of the building.  She liked the shape of the roofline and layer on the front.  She would like to preserve the ocean views from as many places as possible, and have a broader opening for the doors and a lower parapet wall around the outdoor patio at beach level.  She also commented on the fire doors and railings.

           

Commissioner Fresco made a motion to continue this item to the next meeting for redesign based on the following direction: 

 

·        Provide more transparency into the building’s south elevation, facing the Pier, especially addressing the length of wall between the retail doors and the fire exit.

·        Remove glass windbreakers and modify seating area to improve pedestrian connection along the south elevation.

·        Articulate the south elevation, which is too “flat”.

·        Revise the cornice on the lower retail roof.

·        Reconsider the proposed lighting along the upper pediment.

·        Redesign the emergency exit railing to be more decorative.

·        Consider reducing the height of the solid parapet wall at the beach level             dining area.

·        Introduce more detail to the vertical supports.

·        Consider moving trash/recycling area closer to Pier to eliminate “dark space.”

 

Chair Pro Tem Genser seconded the motion, which passed     by the following vote:

 

Ayes:              Fresco, Genser, Kaplan, Rosenfield, Schnitzler, Lehrer

Nayes:            None

Abstain:          None

Absent:           Posek

 

Commissioner Fresco made a motion to continue the meeting past 11:00 hour per Commission by-laws. Commissioner Rosenfield seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote.

 

C.  Landmark Designation Application LC-03LM-004, 2034 La Mesa Drive, to determine whether the proposed property should be designated as a City Landmark.

 

            Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El.

 

            Commissioner Schnitzler recused herself from this item.

 

            Commissioner Fresco made a motion to designate this property as a             landmark.  Commissioner Kaplan seconded the motion, which passed         by the following vote:

 

Ayes:              Fresco, Genser, Kaplan, Rosenfield, Lehrer

Nayes:            None

Abstain:          Schnitzler

Absent:           Posek

 

 

 

 

 

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.      2902 Washington Ave (PC014531)

                  R1-Single Family Residential

                  Single Family Residential

                  Structure Not Identified in the Historic Resources Inventory

 

2.      734 22nd Street (PC014548)

R1-Single Family Residential

Single Family Residential

                  Structure Not Identified in the Historic Resources Inventory

 

               3.      330 7th Street (PC014547)

                  R1-Single Family Residential

                  Single Family Residential w/Attached Guest House

                        Structure Not Identified in the Historic Resources Inventory

 

               4.      947 4th Street (PC014574)

                        R3-Medium Density Multiple Family

                        Two-Story, Single Family w/5 Car Detached Garage

                        Structure Identified in Historic Resources Inventory - 5D3

 

               5.      1657 Ocean Ave. (PC014603)

                        CC-Civic Center

                        8-Unit Apartment Building

                        Structure Not Identified in the Historic Resources Inventory

 

               6.      2606 Highland Ave (PC014610)

                        OP2-Low Multiple Residential

                        Single Family on Front Lot

                        Structure Not Identified in the Historic Resources Inventory

              

               7.      750 Navy Street (PC014625)

                        OP1-Single Family Residential

                        Single Family House w/1-Car Garage

                        Structure Not Identified in the Historic Resources Inventory

 

               8.      509 21ST Place (PC014664)

                        R1-Single Family Residential

                        2-Story, Single Family Resident w/Detached Garage and Basement

                        Structure Not Identified in the Historic Resources Inventory

 

 

               9.      325 16th Street (PC014652)

                        R1-Single Family Residential

                        One-Story Dwelling w/Detached Garage

                        Structure Not Identified in the Historic Resources Inventory

 

                        No action taken on these items.

                       

B.  Discussion on Expediting the Start of the Next Phase of the Historic Resources Inventory Update to Include the South Beach Tract. (Requested by Commissioner Genser)

 

Ms. Bar-El informed the Commission that staff has asked HRG for a proposal, and this research will be folded into the Ocean Park update.

 

C.  Discussion of the Permit Process for Alterations to Historic Structures and Ensuring that Historic Fabric is not Lost. (Requested by Commissioner Schnitzler)

After discussion, the Commission directed staff to require applicants to submit demolition drawings with applications for a Certificate of Appropriateness. 

 

     D.  Discussion of Conducting a Survey of the City’s Courtyard Housing      Stock. (Requested by Commissioner Kaplan)

 

            Continued to next month.

 

E.  Discussion of Ways for the Landmarks Commission to Comment during the Review Period for Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) when a property with Historic Significance or Designated Landmark is Involved. (Requested by Commissioner Fresco)

 

      Continued to next month.

                                                                                                                          

F.   Planning Commission Case List (Information Only)

 

11.    WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:

         Public Input Permitted

 

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

 

         Chair Pro Tem Genser noted that election of officers was meant to be in July and should be agendized next month.

 

13.    NEXT MEETING DATE AND COMMISSION AGENDA: Monday, August 11, 2003.

                                                                                                                       

14.    ADJOURNMENT 11.35