MINUTES

 

MEETING OF THE

LANDMARKS COMMISSION

Founded 1875

“Populus felix in urbe felici”

 

 

 

 

Monday, March 8, 2004

City Council Chambers, Room 213,

1685 Main Street, Santa Monica

7:00 p.m.

 

 

 

CALL TO ORDER:              7:03 pm

 

1.         ROLL CALL:   Present:    John Berley

Nina Fresco

Roger Genser, Chair Pro Tempore

Ruthann Lehrer, Chairperson
Barbara Kaplan (arrived at 7:35pm)

Debra Levin

 

                              Also Present:    Elizabeth Bar-El, Commission Secretary

Barry Rosenbaum, Senior Land Use Attorney

Arlene Johnson, Staff Assistant

Paul Foley, Senior Planner

 

2.      REPORT FROM STAFF:

Ms. Bar-El updated the Commission regarding the Council schedule for approaching the final Commissioner position.

 

3.      COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Commissioner Fresco handed out the final report on their meetings with the Santa Monica Conservancy on ideas for Landmarks incentives.

 

4.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

         Public Input Permitted

                                     

A.     February 9, 2004

 

Chair Pro Tem Genser made a motion to approve the minutes.  Commissioner Fresco seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote with the following corrections.  Page 1, Commissioner Announcements, replace the word “Consensus” with “Incentives”.  Page 3, Par. 6, revise Chair Pro Tem Genser’s statement to read, “asking for a 15-foot sideyard setback was justified and balanced the modification reducing the rear yard stepback because it offset the project’s impact on a more critical elevation.”  Page 5, Par. 7, add, “The Commission also directed staff to discuss with Sears any concerns that they have regarding designation.” 

 

   5.   APPROVAL OF STATEMENTS OF OFFICIAL ACTION:

 

         None.

 

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.  Certificate of Appropriateness LC-04CA-002, 147 Georgina Avenue, requesting approval of a 10,173 square foot, two-story rear addition to the existing two-story single-family home (the R.D. Farquhar House) and requesting a waiver from the additional rear stepback above 14 feet in height required by SMMC 9.04.08.02.070(h). (Continued from February 9, 2004)

 

Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El.

 

Commissioner Fresco made a motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness with staff findings and conditions.  Commissioner Berley seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

 

Ayes:              Berley, Fresco, Genser, Lehrer, Levin

Nayes:            None

Absent:           Kaplan

Abstain:                                         None

 

9.      NEW BUSINESS/PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

         Public Input Permitted

                          

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness LC-04CA-003, 2621 2nd Street, for approval of modifications to the rear elevation of the single-family structure, designated as a contributor to the Third Street Neighborhood Historic District.

 

Chair Pro Tem Genser recused himself from this discussion. 

 

Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El.

 

The following member of the public addressed the Commission:  Anne Troutman, applicant.  An email from the 3rd Street Neighborhood Historic District CPC supporting the project was distributed.

 

Commissioner Fresco made a motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness per staff recommendation without the second stair landing and with the railing to resemble the original 1900 picture to the extent possible as permitted by the State Historic Building Code.  Commissioner Levin seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

 

Ayes:              Berley, Fresco, Levin, Lehrer

Nayes:            None

Absent:           Kaplan

Abstain:          Genser

 

      Commissioner Kaplan arrived at 7:35 pm.

 

  1. Landmark Designation Application LC-04LM-001, 1415 Palisades Beach Road (Sunset Beach Residence), to determine whether the Craftsman-style duplex should be designated as a City Landmark. (Structure partially located on adjacent parcel at 1419 Palisades Beach Road)

 

Staff report presented by Ms. Bar-El.

 

The following members of the public addressed the Commission: Ted Romano, Sonya Newberg, Joe Palka, architect, John Rabuchin, Bob O'Neill and David Newberg, owner.

 

Chair Pro Tem Genser stated that a landmark should be a really good example.  He does not think this particular property warrants landmark status.  It has many issues and it would be an undue burden to the property owner. 

 

Commissioner Levin concurred.  She felt that the property did not merit landmark status and has been greatly modified.

 

Commissioner Berley stated that this property harkens a time of a period lost, and the character of the area is what needs to be preserved.  The owner should be alerted regarding the potential significance of their property prior to it being brought before the Commission.  He felt that the loss of most of the other district structures defeated the purpose of preserving this one, and it is now too late for these remaining houses.

 

Chairperson Lehrer stated that the house has had major alterations, which doesn't leave much.  It would require extensive work.  What gives it character is the scale, massing and roof.  The designation would represent a hardship for the family.  It does not have the quality and integrity necessary for landmark designation.

 

Commissioner Kaplan commented that the adjacent house complimented this house.  She also felt that if you touched the house physically, it would disintegrate.  She does not support a designation.

 

Commissioner Fresco felt that a last remaining house is important and could see reasons to actually support designation.

 

Commissioner Levin made a motion to disapprove landmark designation.  Chair Pro Tem Genser seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

 

Ayes:              Berley, Genser, Kaplan, Levin, Lehrer

Nayes:            Fresco

Absent:           None

Abstain:          None

 

  1. Landmark Designation Application LC-04LM-002, 2511 Beverly Avenue, to determine whether the Craftsman-style single-family home should be designated as a City Landmark.

 

Staff Report presented by Ms. Bar-El, who also reported on one phone call from a neighbor in support of the designation.

 

The following member of the public addressed the Commission: Laurie Hoye, applicant.

 

Chair Pro Tem Genser stated that this is a spectacular house.  The context is so monumental because it is a double lot.  It is one of the finest homes in Ocean Park.  Enthusiastically, he supports this designation.

 

Commissioner Fresco stated that this is an extremely notable building and one of the most important residences in Ocean Park. 

 

Commissioner Kaplan made a motion to approve the landmark designation application per the staff recommendation and including the adjacent shed with the stained glass window.  Chair Pro Tem Genser seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

 

Ayes:              Berley, Fresco, Genser, Kaplan, Levin, Lehrer

Nayes:            None

Absent:           None

Abstain:          None

 

10.    DISCUSSION ITEMS:

         Public Input Permitted

 

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

     

               1.      125 Pacific Street (PC015596)

                        OP3-Ocean Park Medium Multi-Family

                        24-Unit Apartment Building

                        Structure Identified in the Historic Resources Inventory as 5D

 

The following members of the public addressed the Commission:  Kathleen Masser, Randy Davidson, (PowerPoint Presentation), Rachel White and Ralph Mechur, representing the applicant.

 

Chair Pro Tem Genser stated that he came to the conclusion that the property is not a good example of courtyard bungalows.  He stated that he would be interested in further research. 

 

Commissioner Fresco stated that she was disturbed by the loss of the building’s features, which the PowerPoint presentation showed so clearly.

 

In light of the interest expressed by members of the public to provide further information to the Commission, Commissioner Fresco made a motion to continue this item to April 12, 2004.  Chair Pro Tem Genser seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote.

 

2.      918 23rd Street (PC015576)

                        R1-Single Family Residential

                        Single Family Resident w/attached 2-Car Garage

                        Structure Not Identified in the Historic Resources Inventory

 

               3.      1455-57 Berkeley Street (PC015583)

                        R2-Low Density Multi-Family

                        2 Units

                        Structure Not Identified in the Historic Resources Inventory

 

4.            2601-2615 Santa Monica Blvd.

C4-Highway Commercial District

21,250 s.f. Community Center

Structure Not Identified in the Historic Resources Inventory

                          

5.            1237 24th Street (PC015594)

R2-Low Density Multi-Residential

Single Family Resident

Structure Not Identified in the Historic Resources Inventory

                        Prior Demolition Permit (PC011533) Expired 9-18-01

Prior Demolition Permit (PC012321) Expired 10-10-02

Prior Demolition Permit (PC013073) Expired 11/4/02 (To Landmarks Commission on 6/10/02)

 

         6.      415 Alta Avenue (PC015618)

                  R1-Single Family Residential

                  2-Story Stucco/Wood Frame House w/Detached Garage

                  Structure Identified in the Historic Resources Inventory as 5S

 

7.        1528-30 Princeton Street (PC15599)

                  R1-Single Family Residential

                  1-Story, 6 Unit Apartment Building

                  Structure Not Identified in the Historic Resources Inventory

 

The following member of the public addressed the Commission:  Ralph Mechur.

 

8.        429 22nd Street (PC015607)

R1-Single Family Residential

Single Family Resident w/Detached 2-Car Garage

Structure Not Identified in the Historic Resources Inventory

 

      No Action was taken on Item 10A(2-8)

 

A.     Presentation by City Planning Division staff of the proposed Downtown Design Guidelines in order to obtain Landmarks Commission feedback.

Presentation by Paul Foley, Sr. Planner, City Planning Divsion.

 

The Commission discussed their concerns and asked for some language that requires sensitivity when a building is next to any structure on the Inventory or Landmark. Also, they felt it was important to allow flexibility from the guidelines for a building on the Inventory as long as the proposal complies with the SOI standards. The Commissioners expressed concern about making rigid pronouncements that may not be appropriate for a particular situation, especially since many historic structures have individual and unique circumstances.  Commissioner Berley stated that buildings over 35 feet should be setback above the cornice of a historic building as a way of responding to the unique conditions of the site.

 

B.     Discussion of the Properties Listed on the City of Santa Monica Historic Resources Inventory That Have Been Evaluated as National Register Eligible (3) or National Register Eligible Under Certain Circumstances (4) to Determine a Strategy for Setting Priorities To Initiate Applications for Designation of These Properties.

 

The Commission discussed the types of properties listed and focused in on those in the downtown area.  Chairperson Lehrer requested that staff provide information on the construction dates, inventory sheets and current property owner's names and continue the discussion next month.

 

C.    Planning Commission Case List (Information Only)

 

 

 

11.    WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:

          Public Input Permitted

 

          None.

 

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

 

Chair Pro Tem Genser asked to agendize a discussion on the incentives report presented by Commissioner Fresco.

 

13.    NEXT MEETING DATE AND COMMISSION AGENDA: Monday, April 12, 2004.

                                                  

14.    ADJOURNMENT:  10:15 pm