MINUTES

MEETING OF THE

LANDMARKS COMMISSION

Founded 1875

“Populus felix in urbe felici”

Monday, April 12, 2004

7:00 p.m.

City Council Chambers, Room 213,

1685 Main Street, Santa Monica

CALL TO ORDER: 7:05 pm

1. ROLL CALL: Present: John Berley, Commissioner

Nina Fresco, Commissioner

Roger Genser, Chair Pro Tempore

Ruthann Lehrer, Chairperson

Debra Levin, Commissioner

Also Present: Elizabeth Bar-El, Commission Secretary

Barry Rosenbaum, Senior Land Use Attorney

Stephanie Reich, Urban Designer

Michael Feinstein, Council Liaison

Arlene Johnson, Staff Assistant

Absent: Barbara Kaplan, Commissioner

2. INDUCTION OF NEWLY APPOINTED COMMISSIONER: COLIN MADUZIA

3. REPORT FROM STAFF:

Ms. Bar-El invited the Commission to attend the Boards and Commissions dinner on April 26th. There will be a special introduction session at 5:30 pm and the dinner will be served at 6:30 pm.

4. COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS:

None.

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Public Input Permitted

A. March 8, 2004

Chair Pro Tem Genser made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner

Levin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote, with the following corrections: Commissioner Berley added that planning staff modify the language on page “with any new building that the stepback occur no more than 5 feet above the cornice of the adjacent historic structure”. Chairperson Lehrer’s statement on page 3, last paragraph, “The family history is very poignant”, should read, “The designation would represent a hardship for the family”.

6. APPROVAL OF STATEMENTS OF OFFICIAL ACTION:

A. Statement of Official Action: Certificate of Appropriateness LC-04CA-002, 147 Georgina Avenue, approving 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).

B. Statement of Official Action: Certificate of Appropriateness LC-04CA-003, 2621 2nd Street, approving modifications to the rear elevation of the single-family structure, designated as a contributor to the Third Street Neighborhood Historic District.

C. Statement of Official Action: Landmark Designation Application LC-04LM-001, 1415 Palisades Beach Road (Sunset Beach House), denying Landmark designation of the Craftsman-style duplex.

D. Statement of Official Action: Landmark Designation Application LC-04LM-002, 2511 Beverly Avenue, designating the Craftsman-style single-family home as a City Landmark.

Chair Pro Tem Genser made a motion to approve items 6 A,C and D. Commissioner Levin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote, with Commissioner Maduzia abstaining.

Commissioner Levin made a motion to approve item 6B. Commissioner Berley seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote, with Chair Pro Tem Genser and Commissioner Maduzia abstaining.

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

8. CONSENT CALENDAR:

Public Input Permitted

None.

9. OLD BUSINESS:

Public Input Permitted

A. Review of Demolition Permit Request at 125 Pacific Street (PC015596) and Consideration Whether to File an Application For Designation of a Structure as a Landmark or Structure of Merit.

OP3-Ocean Park Medium Multi-Family

24-Unit Apartment Building

Structure Identified in the Historic Resources Inventory (5D)

The following members of the public addressed the Commission: Rachael White, Carlo Brooks, Mark Hooker, Josh Balbien, Cristian Otey, Michelle Katz, Randy Davidson, Kathleen Masser, Larry Lasker, Jerry Summers, Ralph Mechur, and Susan Love Loughmiler.

Members of the public commented on the historic significance of this property, stating that it is a unique or rare example of an architectural design detail or historical type, that it represents the style in the city that is no longer prevalent, and how it contributes to a potential historic district.

Michelle Katz stated that the property was referenced in Jim Lunsford’s 1983 book, titled, “Looking at Santa Monica”. Lunsford refers to Cristy Court as a very good example of a California Courtyard built in the early 20^th Century. She also stated that it embodies a number of character defining features.

Randy Davidson gave a PowerPoint presentation on the significance of the property and how it gives a sense of community and prevalence of its style in Santa Monica. Kathleen Masser stated that the architects and historians that she spoke to gave their consensus that this property is prequalified as a Structure of Merit based on the definition that it meets at least 4 out of 5 designation criteria for a Structure of Merit, and 5 out of 6 criteria for a designation. Also, there was comment that the courtyard’s open layout encourages friendliness and cohesion. Courtyard housing like this has been a significant part of Ocean Park’s history.

Commissioner Levin thanked the community for coming out in support of this property, and stated that she would like the City to conduct further research on the property.

Commissioner Berley stated that he, too, would like to see more research.

Chair Pro Tem Genser gave examples of other courtyard developments in the city and stated that he too would like more research done in order to make a good decision.

Chaiperson Lehrer stated that she would like to see more research as well. She felt that the structure of merit designation was a very peculiar status, and not very useful or protective. The configuration of this building has essential characteristics of Spanish revival around the landscaped courtyard and a sense of community. It is a scarce resource.

Commissioner Maduzia thanked everyone from the community for coming out. He stated that he was blown away by the interior courtyard after seeing the street frontage, which doesn’t seem so impressive. The cultural and social history, unique location for this type of property, and it being a very visual feature of the neighborhood, he would be in favor of researching it further.

Commissioner Fresco made a motion to file an application nominating 125 Pacific for landmark designation. Commissioner Berley seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

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

Nayes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Kaplan

10. NEW BUSINESS/PUBLIC HEARINGS:

Public Input Permitted

A. Certificate of Appropriateness LC-04CA-004, 507 Wilshire Boulevard, for Approval of Design, Materials and Colors for Adaptive Reuse of the Designated Landmark Structure that Incorporates the Front Facade into a New Five-story Mixed-use Project.

The following members of the public addressed the Commission: E.R Island, Don Empakaris, Architect, Teresa Grimes, S. Varnoos, Mike Angelo and Craig Jones, owner.

Chair Pro Tem Genser made a motion to re-open the public hearing to allow Mike Angelo, a member of the public, to speak. Commissioner Fresco seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote.

Commissioner Levin stated that she had not noticed this building before but now that she’s seen the model, she is very impressed by the proposal.

Commissioner Fresco stated that she loves the retail level adaptation. The streamline moderne spirit and curved doorways are creative and beautiful. She also loves the tower element on the side. She felt a little anxious about the louvers; that they are overpowering. Another concern is the dynamic symmetry of the balcony versus the original tower. It stops the motion of the streamline moderne. She would like to see the asymmetry preserved or continued and expressed other concerns about the design as related to the historic façade.

Chairperson Lehrer stated that she loves the building. She felt, however, that the front balcony is too far forward and needs to be pulled back. Also, the doorways should be formed with quarter circle rounds and flat doorways.

Commissioner Berley stated that extending the massing further into the alley would give it a better appearance. He was concerned about the louvers that they should be used where there are windows. They appear very busy. He felt overall that the project represents a level of success with the process. They have moved through the process and found a solution that is economically feasible.

Commissioner Maduzia stated that he was impressed with this design and that it will add value to any adjoining properties. The design itself doesn't detract from the historic elements of the property and doesn't deter from the street level view of the facade.

Chair Pro Tem Genser agreed with Commissioner Berley about extending the massing deeper into the alley. In regard to the overhanging balcony, he would like to see it wrapped around further.

Commissioner Fresco agreed regarding wrapping the building around. Ms.Reich stated that this was not necessary in staff’s opinion because it would create a false sense of the existing features, which do not wrap around the side walls. There were many other comments about the design as it related to the historic façade.

Chairperson Lehrer concurred and added that it would be appropriate to install a plaque.

Commissioner Fresco made a motion to approve the Certificate of Appropriateness with the following conditions: The circular doorway shall be changed to quarter circles with flat doorways, the front balcony shall be reduced to the satisfaction of the Urban Designer, a horizontal element shall be added on the alley elevation and the applicant shall install a historic plaque. Commissioner Levin seconded the motion, which passed by the following vote:

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

Nayes: None

Abstain: None

Absent: Kaplan

11. 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.

Chair Pro Tem Genser made a motion to group Item 12B with Item 11A(7-9) for discussion. Commissioner Berley seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote.

1. 711 Ozone Street (PC015685)

OP1-Ocean Park Single Family Residential

Single Family Resident