Item 6-B
Appeal of Landmarks
Commission Designation of
631 Colorado Avenue
City Council
June 14, 2022
Appeal of Landmarks Commission Designation 631 Colorado Avenue | City Council | 06.14.2022
1. Approve Appeal 22ENT-0015, appeal of the Landmarks Commission’s decision to designate the property located at 631 Colorado Avenue as a City Landmark; and
2. Deny Designation Application 21ENT-0125 to designate the property located at 631 Colorado Avenue as a Landmark or Structure of Merit.
Alternatively
1. If the City Council disapproves the appeal and approves the designation application to designate the property as either a City Landmark or Structure of Merit, as described in Alternative Actions, adopt the Landmarks Commission findings and alternative findings under “California Environmental Quality Act Compliance”.
Recommended Action
Appeal of Landmarks Commission Designation 631 Colorado Avenue | City Council | 06.14.2022 631 Colorado Avenue I Description
Applicant | Santa Monica Conservancy ▪ Appellant/ Property Owner | 500 Pounds of Dog Property Owner Submitted a Demolition Permit Application in March 2021 Landmarks Commission Designated the Property on January 10, 2022 Constructed in 1937
Vernacular Industrial Building
Transit Adjacent (TA), Downtown
Community Plan (DCP)
Historic Resources Inventory | 5S3
View of Main Building from Colorado Avenue
Appeal of Landmarks Commission Designation 631 Colorado Avenue | City Council | 06.14.2022 631 Colorado Avenue I Landmark Nomination
Historic Context:
Southeastern edge of Downtown
Property is an example of industrial
vernacular
with Streamline Moderne
influence at the front façade
GPA Consulting Group (GPA)
Complete Assessment of Building
Based on Landmark and Structure of
Merit Criteria
Structure does not appear
to meet criteria for
Landmark or Structure of
Merit Designation
Location Map
Immediate Context
Appeal of Landmarks Commission Designation 631 Colorado Avenue | City Council | 06.14.2022 Landmark Designation Criteria
Landmark Designation Criteria:
1. It exemplifies, symbolizes, or manifests elements of the cultural, social, economic, political or architectural history of the City.
2. It has aesthetic or artistic interest or value, or other noteworthy interest or value.
3. It is identified with historic personages or with important events in local, state or national history.
4. It embodies distinguishing architectural characteristics valuable to a study of a period, style, method of construction, or the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship, or is a unique or rare example of an architectural design, detail or historical type valuable to such a study.
5. It is a significant or representative example of the work or product of a notable builder, designer or architect.
6. It has a unique location, a singular physical characteristic, or is an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community or the City.
Appeal of Landmarks Commission Designation 631 Colorado Avenue | City Council | 06.14.2022 National Park Service Guidelines
National Park Service Guidelines:
The National Park Service (NPS) publishes bulletins and guidelines help to provide understanding and clarity in the application of
the significance criteria for evaluation,
development of appropriate historic contexts, and
assessing historical integrity to those properties under consideration for potential landmark eligibility.
The use of these publications is standard professional industry practice and helps to disseminate the essential information gathered to make a sound and justifiable evaluation of historical significance.
Appeal of Landmarks Commission Designation 631 Colorado Avenue | City Council | 06.14.2022 631 Colorado Avenue I STOA I Landmark Designation
Criterion 1 It exemplifies, symbolizes, or manifests elements of the cultural, social, economic, political or architectural history of the City.
Building Type/Use
First light industrial commercial building in the southeast portion of Downtown. Reflects the pattern of economic development in Santa Monica Parcel associated with Etta Vena Moxley, leader in the African American Women’s Club Movement
Appeal of Landmarks Commission Designation 631 Colorado Avenue | City Council | 06.14.2022 631 Colorado Avenue I STOA I Landmark Designation
Criterion 4 It embodies distinguishing architectural characteristics valuable to a study of a period, style, method of construction, or the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship, or is a unique or rare example of an architectural design, detail or historical type valuable to such a study.
Method of Construction
Use of post Long Beach Earthquake transitional engineering techniques (Groutlock brick)
Characteristics of the Art Deco style rare in commercial industrial buildings in the city.
Appeal of Landmarks Commission Designation 631 Colorado Avenue | City Council | 06.14.2022 Landmark Designation Criteria-Staff Analysis
Landmark Designation Criterion 1:
It exemplifies, symbolizes, or manifests elements of
the cultural, social, economic, political or
architectural history of the City.
Many similar buildings remain
Atypical of original downtown Development
Outpost of larger company
Previous neighborhood, residences associated
with Etta Moxley no longer present on site
Architectural Description:
Rectangular in plan
Vernacular
Architecture with
minimal façade styling
Appeal of Landmarks Commission Designation 631 Colorado Avenue | City Council | 06.14.2022 Landmark Designation Criteria-Staff Analysis
Landmark Designation Criterion 4:
It embodies distinguishing architectural characteristics valuable to a study of a period, style, method of
construction, or the use of indigenous materials or
craftsmanship, or is a unique or rare example of an
architectural design, detail or historical type valuable to such a study.
Simple brick ubiquitous in Santa Monica and beyond
Brick construction not particularly special or influential Style is not exemplary, not a particularly good,
important or transitional example
Architectural Description:
Rectangular in plan
Vernacular Architecture
with minimal façade styling
Appeal of Landmarks Commission Designation 631 Colorado Avenue | City Council | 06.14.2022 Appeal Statement
1. City staff, the City’s preservation consultant and appellant’s preservation consultant find that the property does not meet the City’s criteria for designation as a City Landmark or Structure of Merit.
2. Landmarks Commission relied on faulty information, and that the decision is not based on substantial evidence.
Appeal of Landmarks Commission Designation 631 Colorado Avenue | City Council | 06.14.2022 Appeal Analysis
1. City staff and historic preservation professionals agreed that the findings for Landmarks and Structure of Merit designations could not be met.
Many other similar buildings in the city and throughout the region, Architectural ornament is not significant or special
Association with important personage (Etta Moxley) could not be made as there is no trace of the buildings she was associated with present on the site.
Not sufficient evidence that Groutblock was used or that it was and influential technical development
Appeal of Landmarks Commission Designation 631 Colorado Avenue | City Council | 06.14.2022 Appeal Analysis
2. There was not sufficient evidence to determine whether or not Groutlock brick was used, and this type of brick construction was not particularly influential in buildings built later.
And
There was no meaningful association with Etta Moxley as there is no trace of the buildings she owned or lived in.
Only improvements may be designated under the Landmarks Ordinance. Since Etta Moxley’s residence was completely demolished there is no ability to designate the property in association with Ms. Moxley.
Appeal of Landmarks Commission Designation 631 Colorado Avenue | City Council | 06.14.2022 Landmark Eligibility
Criterion 1, The property does not exemplify, symbolize, or manifest elements of the cultural, social, economic, political, or architectural history or development of Santa Monica.
The existing buildings are not associated with the African American neighborhood that was around the development site prior to the 1937. The property may have been an early example of industrial development in this area of downtown, and there was not typically industrial development downtown but further east on Colorado Avenue.
The property was a location for Aztec Brewing Company operations while the aviation industry was the primary source of industrial development at this time.
Appeal of Landmarks Commission Designation 631 Colorado Avenue | City Council | 06.14.2022 Landmark Eligibility
Criterion 4, The property does not embody distinguishing architectural characteristics valuable to a study of a period, style, method of construction, or the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship, or is a unique or rare example of an architectural design, detail or historical type valuable to such a study. Industrial buildings constructed at this time were not intended to attract pedestrians, and Streamline Moderne elements are minimal and buildings are not notable examples of the style
Brick industrial buildings were not and are not a rarity in the city. Not an example of Groutlock brick, or special brick technology that was important or influential.
Appeal of Landmarks Commission Designation 631 Colorado Avenue | City Council | 06.14.2022
1. Approve Appeal 22ENT-0015, appeal of the Landmarks Commission’s decision to designate the property located at 631 Colorado Avenue as a City Landmark; and
2. Deny Designation Application 21ENT-0125 to designate the property located at 631 Colorado Avenue as a Landmark or Structure of Merit.
Alternatively
1. If the City Council disapproves the appeal and approves the designation application to designate the property as either a City Landmark or Structure of Merit, as described in Alternative Actions, adopt the Landmarks Commission findings and alternative findings under “California Environmental Quality Act Compliance”.
Recommended Action