City of Santa Monica October 12, 2020 Landmarks Commission Meeting Agenda Page 1
MINUTES
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
LANDMARKS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
VIA TELECONFERENCE PURSUANT TO
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-29-20 ISSUED BY
GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2020
MEETING BEGINS AT 7:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE LANDMARKS COMMISSION:
Chair Genser called the meeting to order at 7:26 PM
1. ROLL CALL
Present:
Richard Brand
Kenneth Breisch
Roger Genser, Chair
Amy Green
Barry Rosenbaum, Chair Pro Tempore
Dolores Sloan
Jodi Summers
Also Present:
Stephanie Reich, AIA, LEED, AP, Design and Historic Preservation Planner Heidi von Tongeln, Deputy City Attorney
Wendy Radwan, Staff Assistant III
1-A. Oath of Office for New Commissioner Jodi Summers
Oath of Office for Reappointment of Commissioner Richard Brand 7:27 PM
Stephanie Reich, AIA, LEED AP, Design and Historic Preservation Planner and Liaison to the Landmarks Commission, administered the oath of office to Commissioners Summers and Brand.
City of Santa Monica October 12, 2020 Landmarks Commission Meeting Agenda Page 2
2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
7:30 PM
Chair Pro Tempore Rosenbaum nominated Chair Genser for a second term as Chairperson.
A voice vote was held and the nomination was approved unanimously.
Commissioner Breisch nominated Chair Pro Tempore Rosenbaum for a second term as Chair Pro Tempore.
A voice vote was held and the nomination was approved unanimously.
3. REPORT FROM STAFF:
7:33 PM
Stephanie Reich, AIA, LEED AP, Design and Historic Preservation Planner and Liaison to the Landmarks Commission provided the report from staff including upcoming items for Landmarks Commission review, information that an appeal on the designation of 1626 California as a Structure of Merit had been received, and noted that the ARB will be discussing additional streamlining in November, and she also stated that the November meeting of the Landmarks Commission will be cancelled with the next meeting to be determined.
Commissioners asked about liaison and subcommittee assignments. Deputy City Attorney Heidi von Tongeln identified that the subcommittees may be able to meet but asked the Commissioners work with staff as the Emergency Order limits items that can be discussed at the meetings.
4. COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS:
7:38 PM
Nothing to report.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
• August 24,2020
7:41 PM
Commissioners offered minor corrections. Commissioner Green made a motion to approve with corrections. Chair Pro Tempore Rosenbaum seconded the motion.
A roll call was held for the motion and approved by the following vote:
City of Santa Monica October 12, 2020 Landmarks Commission Meeting Agenda Page 3 AYES: Brand, Breisch, Genser, Green, Rosenbaum
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: Sloan, Summers
ABSENT: None
6. APPROVAL OF STATEMENTS OF OFFICIAL ACTION:
6-A. Landmark/Structure of Merit Designation Application 20ENT-0022, 1626 California Avenue: approval of the residential property as a Structure of Merit. 7:43 PM
Commissioners offered corrections. Chair Pro Tempore Rosenbaum made a motion to approve. Chair Genser seconded the motion. A roll call was held for the motion and approved by the following vote:
AYES: Brand, Breisch, Genser, Green, Rosenbaum
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: Sloan, Summers
ABSENT: None
6-B. Structure of Merit Designation Application 20ENT-0015, 124 Hart Avenue:
approval of the residential property as a Structure of Merit. 7:51 PM
Commissioner Breisch offered a minor correction and made a motion to approve as corrected. Chair Pro Tempore Rosenbaum seconded the motion. A roll call was held for the motion and approved by the following vote:
AYES: Brand, Breisch, Genser, Green, Rosenbaum
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: Sloan, Summers
ABSENT: None
6-C. Approval of Certificate of Appropriateness 20ENT-0199 for a proposed project located at 1413 Michigan Avenue consisting of a 4-story, 100% affordable housing project with 57 units, 1 manager unit, ground floor amenities, 12 parking spaces, and the rehabilitation of a one-story landmark structure (Santa Monica Nikkei Hall). 7:52 PM
Commissioner Brand made a motion to approve as submitted. Commissioner Green seconded the motion. A roll call was held for the motion and approved by the following vote:
City of Santa Monica October 12, 2020 Landmarks Commission Meeting Agenda Page 4 AYES: Brand, Breisch, Genser, Green, Rosenbaum
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: Sloan, Summers
ABSENT: None
7. PUBLIC INPUT: (On items not on agenda and within the jurisdiction of the Commission)
None.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR:
None.
9. OLD BUSINESS:
None.
10. NEW BUSINESS/PUBLIC HEARINGS:
10-A. Certificate of Appropriateness 20ENT-0160, 401 Ocean Avenue, consideration of an amendment to Certificate of Appropriateness 18ENT-0142 which included the rehabilitation, and restoration of the existing residence known as the Henry Weyse/Charles Morris House, a designated City Landmark, a new fourstory residential building and associated landscape improvements. Proposed is the inclusion of a new/ additional second entry door on the Landmark structure at the recessed porch facing Ocean Avenue, and a new/ additional fence at the corner of the property, including the west and north frontages. 7:53 PM
Commissioners provided ex parte communication disclosures:
All Commissioners visited the site. Commissioners Brand, Green, Rosenbaum, Sloan, Summers, and Chair Genser met with the applicant team.
Ms. Reich presented the staff report.
Commissioners had questions:
The following members of the applicant team presented to the Commission:
David Kaplan (architect) and Ken Kutcher (attorney representing HLKK). Mr.
Kaplan presented the additional front door and fence in detail, clarifying the varied height of the fence, as well as the color and size of the vertical pickets.
City of Santa Monica October 12, 2020 Landmarks Commission Meeting Agenda Page 5 Wendy Radwan, Staff Assistant, read public correspondence from Nina Fresco & Ruth Shari into the record.
Commission discussion included the following points: Commissioner Sloan noted that the corner appears slightly rounded and suggested the fence configuration reflect that geometry as a consideration. Commissioners noted that the fence should be a dark bronze color rather than black.
Chair Pro Tempore Rosenbaum made a motion that the project complies with Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for purposes of the CEQA analysis.
Commissioner Breisch seconded the motion. A roll call was held for the motion and approved by the following vote:
AYES: Brand, Breisch, Genser, Green, Rosenbaum, Sloan, Summers NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Commissioner Rosenbaum made a motion to approve and offered specific language for the STOA. Commissioner Brand seconded the motion with a condition that the color of the fence be bronze.
A roll call was held for the motion and approved by the following vote:
AYES: Brand, Breisch, Genser, Green, Rosenbaum, Sloan, Summers NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
10-B. Landmark Designation Application 20ENT-0130 for the property located at 818 Grant Street to determine whether the multi-family residential building in whole or in part, should be designated as a City Landmark and, if so designated, whether an associated Landmark Parcel should be defined and described in order to preserve, maintain, protect, or safeguard the Landmark. The Landmarks Commission will consider the application based on whether the application, research and public testimony presented demonstrates that the building meets one or more of the required criteria for Landmark designation pursuant to SMMC Section 9.56.100(A).
9:00 PM
Commissioners provided ex parte communication disclosures:
All Commissioners visited the site except for Commissioners Brand and Breisch.
Ms. Reich presented the Staff Report.
City of Santa Monica October 12, 2020 Landmarks Commission Meeting Agenda Page 6 The following members of the applicant team presented to the Commission:
Audrey von Ahrens and Laura O’Neill from GPA Consulting in support of the property as a City Landmark. Ms. Von Ahrens clarified that the windows have been replaced in the original openings, although a couple of original existing windows remain. Ms. O’Neill stated that since the property was included in the HRI and there is a historic context statement that is relatively recent (adopted September 2018) that research can be relied upon for the designation.
Ms. Radwan read a comment from Nina Fresco that included history of the property and included images and DPR sheets that Ms. Radwan shared on her screen.
Ms. Reich noted that while the information on the application exceeded requirements, this application has been treated differently than applications prior to the budget crisis brought on by the pandemic, in that there was a peer review of the application provided rather than a full assessment by the City’s consultant.
She also noted that going forward, the process will be different, as there will be a full assessment provided.
Commissioner Discussion
Chair Pro Tempore Rosenbaum asked for the City Attorney’s perspective on Ms.
O’Neill’s burden of proof arguments she made based on the fact that the property was on the HRI. Ms. Von Tongeln stated that has not been the position of the City or the Commission in the past. Mr. Rosenbaum stated that there is not sufficient information included in the application or presentation and suggested the item be continued rather than denied. Chair Genser stated his agreement.
Commissioner Sloan made a motion to continue the item and requested more information be provided by the applicant team. Chair Pro Tempore Rosenbaum seconded the motion. A roll call was held for the motion and approved by the following vote:
AYES: Brand, Breisch, Genser, Green, Rosenbaum, Sloan, Summers NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
10-C. Landmark Designation application 20ENT-0119 for the property located at 305 San Vicente Boulevard to determine whether the multi-family residential building in whole or in part, should be designated as a City Landmark and, if so designated, whether an associated Landmark Parcel should be defined and described in order to preserve, maintain, protect, or safeguard the Landmark. The Landmarks Commission will consider the application based on whether the application, research, and public testimony presented demonstrates that the building meets City of Santa Monica October 12, 2020 Landmarks Commission Meeting Agenda Page 7 one or more of the required criteria for Landmark designation pursuant to SMMC Section 9.56.100(A).
9:43 PM
Commissioners provided ex parte communication disclosures:
All Commissioners visited the property.
Stephanie Reich presented the staff report.
Audrey von Ahrens and Laura O’Neil from GPA Consulting representing the applicant team. Ms. Von Ahrens provided a presentation for the applicant team, emphasizing that the property meets the criteria for designation based on its association with architect Samuel Reisbord, detailing his accomplishments as an architect and details of the building including the interior courtyard.
Ms. Radwan read a public comment in opposition to the designation.
Daniel Negari, property owner, identified his intention to preserve and restore the property. He stated, in rebuttal to the public comment, that there is tremendous pride of ownership. Joseph Soleiman, property owner, stated that they do not intend to put the property up for sale.
Chair Pro Tempore Rosenbaum stated that one or both of criteria 2 or 4 could be included in a designation and asked the consultant. Ms. O’Neill stated that while those criteria are not excluded, they were not the focus of the study that was provided as part of the application.
Commissioner Breisch stated that while Samuel Reisbord had an interesting career this is not a significant representation of his work and can be associated with other similar apartment buildings of that era. While he stated that it may not be a badly designed building it doesn’t rise to the level of a landmark.
The Commission agreed that property doesn’t stand out as having anything remarkable that would make it be cited.
Chair Pro Tempore Rosenbaum stated that he may have been leaning to requesting additional information, but after the discussion is in support of the staff recommendation.
Chair Genser stated that the building and architect should be significant to be the criteria for designation.
Chair Pro Tempore Rosenbaum made a motion to deny based on the staff report and the peer review comments. Commissioner Brand seconded the motion. A roll call was held for the motion and approved by the following vote:
City of Santa Monica October 12, 2020 Landmarks Commission Meeting Agenda Page 8 AYES: Brand, Breisch, Genser, Green, Rosenbaum, Sloan, Summers NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
10-D. Landmark Designation application 20ENT-0120 for the property located at 621 San Vicente Boulevard to determine whether the multi-family residential building in whole or in part, should be designated as a City Landmark and, if so designated, whether an associated Landmark Parcel should be defined and described in order to preserve, maintain, protect, or safeguard the Landmark. The Landmarks Commission will consider the application based on whether the application, research and public testimony presented demonstrates that the building meets one or more of the required criteria for Landmark designation pursuant to SMMC Section 9.56.100(A).
10:21 PM
Commissioners provided ex parte communication disclosures:
All Commissioners visited the site.
Ms. Reich presented the Staff Report.
Audrey von Ahrens and Laura O’Neil from GPA Consulting representing the applicant team. Ms. Von Ahrens emphasized that the property exemplifies Kenneth N. Lind’s architecture and style. Ms. O’Neill stated that there may be sufficient detail for the building to warrant designation under criteria 4.
Commissioner Sloan asked about the metal ornamentation or sculpture on the façade. The property owner stated that he understood that the original owner commissioned the artwork.
Commissioner Brand made a motion to deny the application based on the staff report & peer review. Commissioner Summers seconded the motion.
AYES: Brand, Summers
NAYS: Breisch, Genser, Green, Rosenbaum, Sloan
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
The motion failed to pass.
Commissioner Genser made a motion to continue to request additional information on the property and the sculpture with investigation into criteria 2 and 4.
Commissioner Sloan seconded the motion. A roll call was held for the motion and approved by the following vote:
City of Santa Monica October 12, 2020 Landmarks Commission Meeting Agenda Page 9 AYES: Breisch, Genser, Green, Rosenbaum, Sloan,
NAYS: Brand
ABSTAIN: Summers
ABSENT: None
11:00 PM
Chair Genser made a motion for the meeting to proceed past 11pm. Chair Pro Tempore Rosenbaum seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved by a voice vote.
11. DISCUSSION ITEMS:
11-A. Selection of a representative to the City Council meeting on October 13, 2020 regarding Appeal of Certificate of Appropriateness 19ENT-0050 at 909 Montana Avenue.
11:01 PM
Chair Genser requested a volunteer, but none were available.
12. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: (Public and Commission discussion and comment is permitted.)
None.
13. NEXT MEETING DATE AND COMMISSION AGENDA:
Special Meeting of the Landmarks Commission: 7:00 PM Monday, December 14, 2020 Via Teleconference Pursuant to Executive Order N-29-20 Issued by Governor Gavin Newsom.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Brand adjourned the meeting at 11:06 PM on Monday, October 12, 2020.