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M I N U T E
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MEETING OF THELANDMARKS COMMISSION Founded 1875 “Populus
felix in urbe felici” |
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Monday,
January 12, 2004 |
City Council
Chambers, Room 213, |
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7:00
p.m. |
1685 Main
Street, Santa Monica |
CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.
Nina Fresco
Roger Genser, Chair Pro Tempore
Debra Levin
Also
Present: Pam, O’Connor, City Council
Liaison
Michael
Feinstein, City Council Liaison (arrived 7:40 p.m.)
Elizabeth
Bar-El, Commission Secretary
Barry
Rosenbaum, Senior Land Use Attorney
Kimberly
Christensen, Senior Planner
Margaret Bell,
Staff Assistant
Absent: Ruthann Lehrer, Chairperson
2. REPORT FROM STAFF:
Ms. Bar-El reported that the
February 9, 2004 meeting will include a presentation of Downtown Design
Guidelines and that March 8, 2004 is tentatively scheduled for a special
session prior to the scheduled meeting time regarding the Ocean Park Update to
the Historic Resources Inventory.
Kim
Christensen, Senior Planner, addressed the Commission to state that she would
be separating from the City of Santa Monica to accept a promotion with the City
of El Segundo as Planning Manager.
Chair Pro Tempore Genser thanked Ms.
Christensen for her many contributions to the Commission and congratulated her
on the new appointment.
3. COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
4-A. December 8, 2003
Commissioner Fresco made a motion to
approve the minutes as submitted.
Commissioner Levin seconded the motion that was approved by voice vote.
5. APPROVAL OF
STATEMENTS OF OFFICIAL ACTION:
A. Statement of Official
Action: Certificate of Appropriateness LC 03CA-012, 128 Hollister Avenue, approving modifications including a new vent above the
roofline, removal of an exterior staircase and replacement of a second floor
door with a window.
Commissioner
Kaplan made the motion to approve Item 5-A.
Commissioner Fresco seconded the motion that passed unanimously by voice
vote.
B. Statement of Official
Action: Landmark Designation Application LC-03LM-008, 1414 Idaho Avenue, designating
the Craftsman-style bungalow as a City Landmark.
Commissioner Fresco made the motion to
approve Item 5-B. Commissioner Berley
seconded the motion that passed unanimously by voice vote.
C. Statement of Official Action: Landmark
Designation Application LC-03LM-009, 1911 La Mesa Drive (Oscar Niemeyer/Strick
House), designating
the single-family residence as a City Landmark.
Ms. Bar-El
reported her conversation with Commissioner Lehrer requesting a change for the
removal of reference to the louvers.
Chair Pro Tempore Genser requested a change in the
name to Niemeyer/Strick House.
Commissioner Berley concurred that the architect
should be referenced first in the name and the owner secondly.
Chair Pro Tempore Genser made the motion to approve
item 5-C as amended changing the name and deleting inference to the
louvers. Commissioner Kaplan seconded
the motion that passed unanimously by voice vote.
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
8-A. Review of
Demolition Permit and Consideration of Whether to File an Application For
Designation as a Landmark or Structure of Merit for the structure located at 2134 La Mesa Drive
(PC015195)
R-1 – Single-Family Residential
Single-Family Residence, 1-Story with Attached Garage
Structure Not Identified in the Historic Resources Inventory
Commissioner Berley stated
that he conducted research on the architect of record but returned no
additional data other than what was stated in the building permit.
Ms. Bar-El also stated that
she conducted Internet research that returned no additional data.
Chair Pro Tempore Genser
stated that the house is interesting but does not merit consideration.
Commissioner Kaplan stated
that this house is not the best example in its craftsmanship and not of any
particular quality.
No action was taken.
B. Review of Demolition Permit and
Consideration of Whether to File an Application For Designation as a Landmark
or Structure of Merit for the structure located at 1415 Palisades Beach Road
(PC015236) (Structure partially located on adjacent parcel at 1419 Palisades
Beach Road)
R-2B – Low Density Multiple
Residential Beach District
Multiple-Family Residence,
1-Story with Attached Garage
Structure Identified In the
Historic Resources Inventory (5D)
The following members of
the public addressed the Commission:
David Newberg, owner, and Chris Paine.
Commissioner Kaplan visited
the site on Monday, January 12, 2004 at noon.
Chair Pro Tempore Genser
met with the property owner on Saturday, January 9, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. went
inside the house and walked the block of Sunset Beach.
Commissioner Fresco met
with the property owner and discussed the family history and the history of the
neighboring buildings.
Commissioner Berley did not
return to the address since the previous application.
Commissioner Kaplan stated
that she found the beach façade to be satisfying and charming and a good
example of craftsman proportion and detail.
Commissioner Kaplan also stated that this is a very public location and
has been enjoyed by the public for many years and she would like to see this
structure remain and possibly be incorporated into another building. It could be changed by updating and
maintaining the elements that define the building.
Commissioner Fresco stated
her concern for preserving the historical contribution of the building and
agreed that the location of the building is significant.
Commissioner Levin stated
her support for further investigating the eligibility of the property for
Landmark designation.
Commissioner Berley stated
that the property appears significant to the community but stated concern
regarding the percentage of replacement necessary if it were modified and
upgraded.
Chair Pro Tempore Genser
stated that he did not feel the structure merits a landmark designation. The addition of stucco in 1929 takes away
from its significance. The analysis of
fair condition in 1983 demonstrated that this structure does not seem
individually eligible for designation.
After further discussion,
Commissioner Fresco made a motion to file an application nominating 1415
Palisades Beach Road for Landmark designation.
Commissioner Kaplan seconded the motion, which passed by the following
vote:
Ayes: Berley, Fresco,
Kaplan, Levin
Nayes: Genser
Abstain: None
Absent: Lehrer
C. Consideration
of a proposed letter to be sent to the City Council asking for a resolution to
continue the unwritten City policy of maintaining the Street Lamps on Broadway.
(Continued from November 10, 2003)
Commissioner Fresco
suggested incorporating a specific definition of the current policy. Of
particular concern is ensuring that street lamps for new large developments do
not vary from the existing style and enumerating these conditions would make a
clear statement.
Ms Bar-El restated the
position of the Board to incorporate verbage to read, “There have however been replacements
of some of the street lamps in connection with developments, which is of great
concern to us as a Commission.”
Ms. Bar-El will incorporate
the concerns of the Commission into a revised letter for Commissioner Lehrer to
sign and send on her return.
9. NEW BUSINESS/PUBLIC
HEARINGS:
10. DISCUSSION
ITEMS:
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. 940
Franklin Street (PC015240)
R1-Single Family Residential
Single Family Residence w/Attached Garage
Structure Not Identified in the Historic
Resources Inventory
2. 126 Pacific Street (PC015265)
OP3-Ocean Park Medium Multiple Residential
Single Family Resident
Structure Not Identified in the Historic
Resources Inventory
3. 1544 7th
Street (PC015296)
C3-Downtown Commercial District
Multiple Family Residence
Structure Not Identified in the Historic
Resources Inventory
4. 754 24th
Street (PC015313)
R1-Single Family Residential
Single Family Residence w/attached Garage
Structure Not Identified in the Historic
Resources Inventory
5.
2009 Hill Street (PC015358)
R1-Single Family
Residential
Portion of SFR w/Attached
Garage and Outbuilding
Structure Not Identified in the Historic
Resources Inventory
No action was taken on Items 10-A; 1-5.
B. Discussion of Priorities for Proactive Landmark Designation of Eligible Historic Properties. (Continued from December 8, 2003)
Commissioner Fresco opened a discussion regarding establishing an active procedure for the Commission to begin to move through the Historic Resources Inventory and initiate the nomination of important buildings for Landmark status.
Pro Tempore Genser suggested targeting specific areas for review and suggested interfacing with the Downtown Task Force as well as possibly highlighting the Sunset Beach area for specific review.
Commissioner Berley suggested engaging the property owners into the process to engage the community, show good faith and get feedback to improve the level of community understanding.
Commissioner Fresco suggested inviting the community to an open educational study session to explain the incentives, and encourage property owners to initiate the process individually.
The Commission referred to staff to outline a proposal for the study session and make recommendations to the Commission.
Ms. Bar-El stated that any sessions of this type should not be considered until after the Ocean Park update is completed, and might bewrapped into the Ordinance revision process.
C. Consideration Whether to File an Application For Designation of a Structure as a Landmark or Structure of Merit for the property located at 1401 Palisades Beach Road.
The following members of the public addressed the
Commission: Chris Paine, Tina
Goldstein, owner, and George Goldstein.
Commissioner Berley encouraged the owners to nominate their building for a Landmark status and stated that the landmark status would not economically restrict the applicant.
Commissioner Kaplan stated this structure warrants nomination but the building is not immediately threatened.
Commissioner Berley stated that this structure does not appear threatened, stated that there are financial incentives for owners to secure landmark status and encouraged the owners to gain a better understanding and consider the advantages.
Commissioner Levin concurs and stated that the incentives should motivate the owners and the building is not threatened at this time.
Ms. Bar-El stated that the Mills Act can decrease operating expenses as it lowers the property tax which helps balance the profitability.
Commissioner Fresco stated that evaluating a building for historic significance is a difficult matter that must be separated from the property’s owner.
Chair Pro Tempore Genser concurred that this building is not in immediate danger and the owner should investigate incentives.
No action was taken.
D, Preliminary Discussion on how to Develop, Expand and Implement Preservation Incentives and Changes to the Landmarks Ordinance Including Those that Might Require CEQA Review.
Chair Pro Tempore Genser initiated a discussion regarding consideration of incentives to encourage property and business owners to initiate designating properties for landmarking.
Ms. Bar-El explained that due to Division staffing shortages and other priorities, the Landmarks Ordinance revision process will not be starting up until later in the year, possibly spring.
Councilmember Feinstein suggested that Commissioners contact the Neighborhood Groups to brainstorm ideas trends, and economic analysis. Commissioner Fresco volunteered to follow-up by phone with the neighborhood groups.
Commissioner Kaplan suggested organizing workshops and inviting the community to generate energy to create a dialogue to dissipate negative feelings.
Ms. Bar-El stated that the landmark revisions process involves outreach to the public.
E. Planning Commission Case List (Information Only)
Chair Pro Tempore Genser asked about the status of 125 Pacific.
Kim Christensen, Senior Planner, stated that the property owner filed for a condo application and just recently filed for a demo permit.
F. Discussion of Landmarks Commission priorities for 2004-2005 Council budget.
Chair Pro Tempore Genser brought up Inventory Update priorities after completing the Ocean Park Survey.
Commissioner Fresco expressed that her areas of concern in addition to continuing the Inventory Update, and starting to revise the Ordinance are public information, incentive brochures, public relations, community meetings and overall visibility.
Commissioner Berley suggested generating a questionnaire/poll to the general population to gain a better understanding of the public perception of preservation and generating education sessions.
Outreach to Realtors was brought up and Ms Bar-El informed the Commissioners that information is currently being provided to Realtors to disclose to prospective buyers historic inventory or designation status.
11. WRITTEN
COMMUNICATIONS:
Public
Input Permitted
None.
12. FUTURE
AGENDA ITEMS: (Requests from Commissioners to add items to upcoming agendas)
Commissioner
Fresco asked to get an update on the activities at 415 Pacific Coast Highway.
Chair
Pro Tem Genser asked to agendize a discussion on Commercial Incentives.
13. NEXT
MEETING DATE AND COMMISSION AGENDA: Monday,
February 9, 2004.
14. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:57
p.m.
01-16-04
MB