City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: November 11, 2024
Agenda Item: 12.A
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: David Martin, Director, Administration
Subject: Appeal of Landmark Commission Decision to Designate the Compass Rose Located North of and Adjacent to Runway 3 at Santa Monica Airport as a City Landmark
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Deny Appeal 19ENT-0353 appeal of the Landmark Commission’s decision to designate the Compass Rose located north of and adjacent to Runway 3 at Santa Monica Airport as a City Landmark; and;
3. Approve Designation Application 19ENT-0353 to designate the Compass Rose as a City Landmark based on the findings provided in this staff report; and
4. Adopt the Statement of Official Action.
Executive Summary
This appeal asks the City Council to answer one question: Does the painted Compass Rose located north of and adjacent to Runway 3 at the Santa Monica Airport meet one or more of the criteria for designation as a City Landmark? As explained in more detail in this report, when answering this question, the City Council is limited to the jurisdiction of the Landmarks Commission under the Landmarks and Historic District Ordinance, Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 9.56. This limited jurisdiction does not include current operations of or the future closure of the Santa Monica Airport. Should the City Council determine that the Compass Rose 2 of 19
meets one or more of the criteria for designation as a City Landmark, this will not interfere with the City’s obligations to operate the Airport or close it in the future.
On May 30, 2019, Robert Chattel of Chattel Inc. filed an Application to designate the painted Compass Rose located north of and adjacent to Runway 3 at the Santa Monica Municipal Airport as a City Landmark. The Compass Rose is a diagram of a standard circular magnetic compass painted on the ground adjacent to the airport runway.
Magnetic compasses such as that depicted by the Compass Rose were used as an early aviation navigational tool and are a form of air marking common to airports.
On September 9, 2019, the Landmarks Commission held a duly noticed public hearing to consider the feature’s eligibility as a City Landmark. After considering all evidence presented, including oral and written testimony, an historic assessment submitted by the Applicant, and an historic assessment obtained by the City, the Commission found that the Compass Rose met Criterion 1 (“exemplifies, symbolizes, or manifests elements of the cultural, social, economic, political or architectural history of the City”), set forth in Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 9.56.100(A), in that the Compass Rose is a symbolic feature representative of the “ Ninety-Nines”, a social and professional organization whose goals were to encourage and support women in aviation and to enhance opportunities for women seeking careers in the male-dominated field of aviation that was established circa November 1929.
On September 19, 2019, Ben Wang filed a timely appeal of the Landmarks Commission’s decision to designate the feature. Per Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 9.56.180, an appeal of the Landmark Commission’s decision is heard by the Santa Monica City Council as a de novo hearing.
After numerous continuances, the public hearing for this matter was set for October 22, 2024 but was pulled from the agenda as the Appellant submitted additional written correspondence on the day of the hearing. In that correspondence, the Appellant indicated that they were in favor of the Landmark Designation for the Compass Rose but also submitted other questions that are not relevant to Council’s consideration of the 3 of 19
Landmark designation. Nonetheless, a supplemental memo has been prepared by the City Attorney’s Office addressing the Appellant’s questions (Attachment N).
Upon the review of the information available and applicable portions of the Santa Monica Municipal Code, staff recommends that the City Council deny the appeal and uphold the Landmarks Commission’s decision to designate the painted Compass Rose at Santa Monica Municipal Airport as a City Landmark.
Background
City of Santa Monica Landmark and Historic District Ordinance (SMMC 9.56) Adopted in 1976, the stated purpose of the City’s Landmark and Historic District Ordinance (the “Ordinance”) is:
[T]o promote the public health, safety and general welfare by establishing such procedures and providing such regulations as are deemed necessary to:
A. Protect improvements and areas which represent elements of the City’s cultural, social, economic, political and architectural history.
B. Safeguard the City’s historic, aesthetic and cultural heritage as embodied and reflected in such improvements and areas.
C. Foster civic pride in the beauty and noble accomplishments of the past.
D. Protect and enhance the City’s aesthetic and historic attractions to residents, tourists, visitors and others, thereby serving as a stimulus and support to business and industry.
E. Promote the use of Landmarks, Structures of Merit and Historic Districts for the education, pleasure and welfare of the people of this City. (SMMC § 9.56.020)
The Ordinance further establishes procedures and standards intended to achieve these purposes. Among these procedures, the SMMC grants the Landmarks Commission the power to designate Landmarks and Structures of Merit. The Commission has the option to designate an improvement as a Landmark or Structure of Merit to allow the City to protect and enhance improvements that are found to meet certain criteria to support 4 of 19
either designation. Currently, there are 141 designated City Landmarks, 16 designated Structures of Merit, and 5 Historic Districts within the City.
To guide the exercise of discretion by the Landmarks Commission in designating Landmarks and the Council in approving or disapproving the actions of the Landmarks Commission, the Ordinance sets forth six Landmark Designation Criteria:
[T]he Landmarks Commission may approve the landmark designation of a structure, improvement, natural feature, or an object if it finds that it meets one or more of the following 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 a 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.
(SMMC § 9.56.100)
In accordance with the Landmarks Ordinance, upon appeal, the City Council reviews the Commission’s designation of a Landmark, as well as any related decisions de novo.
The Council may review and take action on all determinations, interpretations, decisions, judgments or similar actions taken that were in the purview of the Commission, and the Council may approve, in whole or in part, or disapprove the prior determinations and decisions of the Commission.
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Historic Context: Santa Monica Airport
The Santa Monica Airport is located at the southeast portion of the City adjacent to the southwestern boundary line of the City of Los Angeles. The airport is owned by the City of Santa Monica and is operated under a division of the City of Santa Monica Public Works Department. The airport consists of 227 acres that includes non-aviation uses such as a City park, commercial office space, art studios, a museum, event venues, parking, and aircraft hangars.
The subject property was previously used as barley fields dating from 1916. As early as 1917, pilots of World War I biplanes began using the site as an informal landing strip. In the spring of 1923, the U.S. Army Air Corps officially converted the barley field airstrip into an operational military airfield and named it Clover Field. In April 1926, through the use of Park Bond revenue, the City of Santa Monica purchased 158 acres of land comprising the Clover Field site (adjacent to Ocean Park Boulevard) for use as a general aviation public-use airport. By 1929, the Douglas Aircraft Company completed the move of its factory to Clover Field, and by 1933, the Santa Monica Airport area was rectangular in plan with a straight 2,800-foot-long asphalt paved runway with an adjacent open airfield space to the immediate south.
Despite the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Douglas plant at the airport continued to grow, employing many local residents and developing the residential neighborhoods around the airfield. The company constructed large factory assembly structures, massive hangars, and modern administrative offices. During World War II, Douglas manufactured, housed, and transported newly built transport planes and bomber aircraft used extensively during the war. During its peak years, Douglas Aircraft employed up to 44,000 employees leading to the City’s transformation from a beach resort town into a blue-collar community. The Douglas Aircraft Company, which continued to flourish through the 1960s, left Santa Monica in 1975. During the 1950s through the 1970s, there was an increase in civilian aviation activity at the airport. In 1984, the City of Santa Monica adopted a new Airport Master Plan, followed by the City executing an 6 of 19
airport operational agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that same year.
In addition to the record-breaking events and flights that occurred at the Santa Monica Airport (aka Clover Field) during its formative years, the first National Women’s Air Derby of 1929 (Powder Puff Derby), which started at the Santa Monica Airport became the turning point for women in aviation. This first major transcontinental sanctioned air race for women proved that women pilots were as competent and determined as male pilots, and attracted women pilots locally, nationally, and abroad. By 1929, there were approximately 60 women pilots in the United States, potentially up to 117 worldwide, in which 20 women pilots participated in the event. The success of the air race encouraged pilot Amelia Earhart and others to form an organization of women pilots, which led to the formation of the Ninety-Nines.
Established in November 1929, the Ninety-Nines was a social and professional organization whose goals were to encourage and support women in aviation and to enhance opportunities for women seeking careers in the male-dominated field of aviation. Women pilots faced significant discrimination. They were discouraged from flying and were often negatively compared to their male counterparts. By the early 1930s, the Ninety-Nines were divided into regional sections with each section sponsoring activities furthering women flying and aviation in general. The organization officially incorporated in 1950 and later renamed The Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots in an effort to include members from around the world. In total, eight geographic sections that were further divided into chapters were established for its members. Today, there are currently 155 chapters of the Ninety-Nines in 44 countries with over 6,000 members, including the Los Angeles chapter based at the Santa Monica Airport. The Ninety-Nines continue to promote the advancement of aviation through education, scholarships, and mutual support while honoring their unique history and sharing a passion for flying.
The subject Compass Rose is not directly associated with The Ninety-Nines in terms of historic personages or with important events in local, state, or national history in which it 7 of 19
memorializes. As described below, the Compass Rose was used as an early aviation navigational tool and form of air marking common to airports. Although the first National Women’s Air Derby of 1929 was an important event in local history which began at the Santa Monica Airport and was the first sanctioned air race for women in the world, the Compass Rose itself is commemorative in nature and not directly associated with the event. Physical evidence of a Compass Rose at its original location at the airport dates to approximately 1947. The subject Compass Rose in its current location was painted as a volunteer effort by members of the local chapter of The Ninety-Nines in 1985 and has been repainted since that time. Therefore, any association with historic personages or important events is merely symbolic.
Santa Monica Compass Rose
Before radio navigation was widely available, pilots of small aircraft depended on natural landmarks, roads, or unusual structures visible from the air. Air marking is known as a program of painting or creating markings on the roofs of buildings or on ground areas to identify the location of airfields for pilots. The Compass Rose was multi-functional in that it was a form of air marking to assist pilots in navigating airfields, and it was also used to calibrate on-board aircraft compasses before departure.
It has been postulated that a navigational compass rose existed at the Santa Monica Airport at some unknown location as far back as 1929. It has also been hypothesized that a compass rose was painted on the tarmac at the northeast side of the airport adjacent the east end of runways 21 and 22 from around 1947 to roughly 1987-1988.
Research indicates that the Santa Monica Airport was known to have a functioning compass rose on its grounds adjacent to the airfield during its early years. It is uncertain if or where a compass rose was located on the airfield at the time of the 1929 Powder Puff Derby and in the years following the event. However, it is assumed that a compass would have existed at the airport for use by pilots and the Douglas Aircraft Company to calibrate the on-board flight compasses.
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The Compass Rose was removed from the airport or hidden from public view during the war period for security reasons. Photo documentation after the war in 1947 show the Compass Rose located at the northeast corner of the airport adjacent to runways 21 and 22. The Compass Rose is also visible in aerial photographs dating from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. In November 1974, the Los Angeles Chapter of the NinetyNines’ air marking committee obtained approval to re-mark the compass at the Santa Monica Airport and in 1985 painted its first Compass Rose at the airport. The painting/installation was one of several airport improvement projects completed between 1985 and 1989. In June 1989, the Compass Rose was relocated from the northeast portion of the airport to its current location and was last repainted by the LA 99s in 2010.
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As such, the Compass Rose painting itself, as recently repainted in 2010, is nonoriginal. Additionally, the current location of the Compass Rose is non-original and, therefore, its location does not appear to be historically significant. However, the Compass Rose has importance to Santa Monica in that it symbolizes the important contributions of women in aviation, which is significant to the City’s cultural history. As such, the Compass Rose appears to be eligible under Criterion 1 as described below.
The character-defining features associated with the Compass Rose include its location near or adjacent to the airfield, runway, taxiway, or other airport associated feature (as its current location is non-original and therefore not historic), its large size and distinct shape as an 12-point Compass Rose, its paint material, color pattern, and blue and white hue, and its block font type of “99” logo and arrangement as two interlocking number “9”s of varying size and shape.
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Landmarks Commission Action
As part of the Commission’s review, an historic assessment report evaluating the Compass Rose according to the Landmark designation criteria was prepared by one of the City’s historic preservation consultants, Ostashay and Associates Consulting (“OAC”). A copy of OAC’s report is attached as Attachment D. Based on the findings as provided in the report, the consultant finds that the Compass Rose is eligible for Landmark designation under the City of Santa Monica Landmark criteria 9.56.100(A)(1) due to it symbolizing an important chapter in the aviation history of women in Santa Monica.
Based on the Landmark designation findings and upon review of the Compass Rose feature, staff concludes that the feature is eligible for designation. However, the Compass Rose painting itself, as recently repainted in 2010, is non-original.
Additionally, the current location of the Compass Rose is non-original and therefore its location does not appear to be historically significant. However, the Compass Rose has importance to Santa Monica in that it symbolizes the important contributions of women in aviation, which is significant to the City’s cultural history. As such, staff is in agreement with the OAC report, that the feature is eligible for designation under City of Santa Monica Landmark criterion 9.56.100(A)(1) as symbolizing an important chapter in the aviation history of women in Santa Monica as outlined in the September 09, 2019, staff report.
On September 09, 2019, the Landmarks Commission held a public hearing to discuss the feature’s potential eligibility as a City Landmark. The Commission found that the Compass Rose met criterion 1 (“exemplifies, symbolizes, or manifests elements of the cultural, social, economic, political or architectural history of the City”) in that the Compass Rose is a symbolic feature representative of the “ Ninety-Nines” circa November 1929. The Ninety-Nines were a social and professional organization whose goal was to encourage and support women in aviation. The group was involved with the first National Women’s Air Derby of 1929 which originated at the Santa Monica Airport (Clover Field) and was part of a turning point for women in aviation. The Commission also found that the Compass Rose is a symbolic feature, and while they designated a 3- 11 of 19
foot area around the painted Compass Rose as a Landmark Parcel, the Commission noted that it is not a historic location at the airport. (See STOA Attachment F) Based on the Landmark designation findings outlined in the OAC report, evidence received prior to and during the Commission’s public hearing on September 09, 2019, and staff’s review of the appeal statement, staff continues to recommend that the feature is eligible as a City Landmark. Staff recommends that the City Council deny the appeal and support the Landmark Commission Designation based on findings that the improvement appears to meet one of the Landmark Designation criteria.
On November 11, 2019, the Landmarks Commission held a public hearing to discuss the feature’s potential eligibility as a City Landmark. In consideration of all written and oral testimony, staff and historic preservation consultant reports, and materials introduced into the public record, the Commission unanimously designated the Compass Rose and a 3-foot area around the painted Compass Rose under the City of Santa Monica Landmark criteria 9.56.100(A)(1) as symbolizing an important chapter in the aviation history of women in Santa Monica.
During its deliberations, the Commission held a thorough discussion on the Landmarks criteria and whether the feature would be eligible for designation. The Commission determined that the painted Compass Rose was eligible because it symbolizes the history of women in aviation and its relationship to the Santa Monic Airport.
Robert Chattel of Robert Chattel Inc. submitted an independent historic assessment as part of the application for consideration by the Landmarks Commission. The assessment concluded that the feature satisfies the criterion findings as a City Landmark. The report by Chattel Inc. is provided as Attachment C along with the original application materials.
The September 09, 2019, Landmarks Commission staff report (Attachment I) and approved meeting minutes (Attachment J) are provided for reference. The approved Statement of Official Action is provided as Attachment F. The link to the audio recording 12 of 19
of the September 09, 2019 meeting is included as Attachment L and posted on the City’s webpage:
http://santamonica.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=9&clip_id=4391 at 1:17.
Appeal
The appellant, Ben Wang, filed a timely appeal on September 19, 2019. The appeal contends that the Compass Rose does not meet the criteria for Landmarks designation because it:
1. Meets only one of the six Landmarks criteria;
2. Is a painted feature that has changed location over time, is non original, and has been repainted; and
3. Is inconsistent in design with the Ninety-Nines trademarked 16-point symbol.
Additionally, the appeal contends a designation may not be appropriate of the Compass Rose given the City’s obligations under the Consent Decree and the City Charter as they relate to the operation of the Airport.
Despite the appeal’s suggestion that the Landmarks Commission cannot designate the Compass Rose as a landmark under the Landmarks Ordinance due to the requirements of Santa Monica Charter Section 640 (Measure LC), such interpretation of the City Charter misunderstands the language of Section 640. Section 640 states that the City Council’s—and by extension the Landmarks Commission’s—authority to designate the Compass Rose a landmark is subject only to the City’s legal obligations covering its operation of the Airport. The City’s primary legal obligation governing Airport operations is the Consent Decree. Staff’s review of the Consent Decree finds that there is no basis in the Consent Decree or in its incorporated grant assurances that limit the City’s ability to designate the Compass Rose as a landmark since such designation does not affect the safe or efficient operation of the Airport as an aviation facility. Neither the Consent Decree nor Charter Section 640 is relevant to the City’s landmarks process as it relates to the Compass Rose.
Analysis
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Appeal Analysis
1. Appellant states the Compass Rose meets only one of the Landmarks Ordinance Criteria and “failed to meet the other 5 criteria”.
The Landmarks Ordinance states that “the Landmarks Commission may approve the landmark designation of a structure, improvement, natural feature, or an object if it finds that it meets one or more of the (Landmarks Ordinance) criteria. (SMMC § 9.56.100(A)).
As consistent with the Landmarks Ordinance and with the Commission’s typical practice, the Commission found that the painted feature meets Criterion 1 as symbolic of women in aviation history.
2. Appellant states that the Compass Rose is a painted feature that has changed locations over time is non-original and has been repainted.
In their deliberations, the Landmarks Commission recognized that the Compass Rose is a painted feature that has been relocated and repainted over time, and that information is included in the Statement of Official Action. The Commission found that the Compass Rose symbolizes the important aviation history of women in Santa Monica. It is also emblematic of the early air marking program with which the Ninety-Nines were and are still closely associated. Therefore, the Landmarks Commission found that the symbolic nature of the Compass Rose made it worthy of designation as a City Landmark.
3. The Appellant states that the Compass Rose is a 12-pointed symbol and as such is inconsistent in design with the Ninety-Nines trademarked 16-point symbol.
The appellant has observed that the symbol in the trademark image has 16 points while the Compass Rose is a 12-pointed symbol. However, the trademark states that, “the mark is comprised of a compass with the number “99” disposed in the center thereof, and is white and blue.” The symbol was painted by members of the Ninety-Nines, and the organization supported the designation.
Eligibility as Landmark or Structure and Proposed Findings The Ordinance requires the City Council, on appeal, to review the building’s eligibility as a Landmark based on the six criteria discussed below. In order to be designated as a 14 of 19
City Landmark, the Council is required to find that the painted feature of the Compass Rose meets one or more of these criteria.
Landmarks Ordinance/Findings
Based on the findings as provided in the Landmark Assessment Report, the consultant finds that the feature appears eligible as a landmark under the City of Santa Monica Landmark criteria 9.56.100(A)(1). Based on research and evaluation, staff agrees with the consultant’s findings that the Compass Rose satisfies Landmark Designation criterion 1. The following draft findings are provided to support this conclusion:
(1) It exemplifies, symbolizes, or manifests elements of the cultural, social, economic, political or architectural history of the City.
In addition to the record-breaking events and flights that occurred at the Santa Monica Airport (aka Clover Field) during its formative years, the first National Women’s Air Derby of 1929 (Powder Puff Derby), which started at the Santa Monica Airport (Clover Field), became the turning point for women in aviation. This first major transcontinental sanctioned air race for women proved that women pilots were as competent and determined as male pilots, and attracted women pilots locally, nationally, and abroad.
By 1929, there were approximately 60 women pilots in the United States, potentially up to 117 worldwide, in which 20 women pilots participated in the event. The event led to the formation of the Ninety-Nines in November 1929, a social and professional organization with goals to encourage and support women in aviation and to enhance opportunities for women seeking careers in such a male-dominated field. By the early 1930s, the Ninety-Nines were divided into regional sections with each section sponsoring some activities furthering women flying and aviation in general. The organization officially incorporated in 1950 and later renamed The Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots in efforts to include members from around the world.
There are references of a Compass Rose utilized at the Santa Monica Airport prior to the standardization of air marking during the 1930s and early 1940s, and prior to the creation of the Ninety-Nine’s distinctive Compass Rose logo (1939) that current exists at 15 of 19
the airport. In November 1974, the Los Angeles chapter’s air marking committee obtained approval to re-mark the compass at the Santa Monica Airport and the Compass Rose by Ninety-Nines was first painted in 1985. The painting/installation of the compass rose was one of several airport improvement projects completed between 1985 and 1989. In June 1989, Compass Rose was relocated from the northeast portion of the airport to its current location and was last repainted by the LA Ninety-Nines in 2010. Today, the compass rose is a symbolic feature and is not necessarily in a historic location at the airport.
The subject Santa Monica Airport Compass Rose symbolizes the important aviation history of women in Santa Monica. It is also emblematic of the early air marking program for which the Ninety-Nines were and still are so closely associated with. The Compass Rose symbolizes the important contributions of women in aviation, important to the City’s cultural history. Therefore, the Santa Monica Compass Rose appears to satisfy this criterion.
(2) It has aesthetic or artistic interest or value, or other noteworthy interest or value.
The Compass Rose does not appear to have the aesthetic or artistic interest or value necessary for such recognition under this criterion. Therefore, the subject Compass Rose does not appear to satisfy this criterion.
(3) It is identified with historic personages or with important events in local, state or national history.
Although the Compass Rose symbolizes the importance of women in aviation history in the City, it is not directly associated with historic personages or with important events in local, state, or national history in which it memorializes. Although the first National Women’s Air Derby of 1929 was an important event in local history which began at the Santa Monica Airport and was the first sanctioned air race for women in the world, the Compass Rose itself is commemorative in nature and not directly associated with the event. Physical evidence of a Compass Rose at its original location at the airport dates to approximately 1947. The subject Compass Rose in its current location was painted as a volunteer effort by members of the local chapter of The Ninety-Nines in 1985 and 16 of 19
has been repainted since that time. Any association with historic personages or important events is merely referential. Therefore, the subject Compass Rose does not appear to satisfy this 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.
The Compass Rose in its current location is considered a functional piece of art painted by the local chapter of the Ninety-Nines (Los Angeles Chapter, The Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots). As such, it does not possess any distinguishing architectural characteristics or embody the use of indigenous materials that would be valuable to a study of a period, style, method of construction. As it is a symbolic re-creation of the Ninety-Nine’s compass rose, it does not represent a unique or rare example of an architectural design, detail, or historical style valuable to such a study. Therefore, the subject Compass Rose does not appear to satisfy this criterion. (5) It is a significant or a representative example of the work or product of a notable builder, designer or architect.
The Compass Rose is not a significant or a representative example of the work or product of a notable builder, designer, or architect. While the design of the Santa Monica Compass Rose in its current location is based on the original scheme created in 1939 by Ninety-Nine member Wilma Fritschey, it was repainted by the Los Angeles chapter of the Ninety-Nines. There is no indication that this local group should be considered a master in the field of design, construction, or architecture. Therefore, the subject Compass Rose does not appear to satisfy this criterion. (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.
The Compass Rose is located adjacent to a runway and based on its siting on the property, is not readily accessible to the public or visible from the public right-of-way.
Therefore, it has not become an established or familiar visual feature of a 17 of 19
neighborhood, community, or the City. Therefore, the subject Compass Rose does not appear to satisfy this criterion.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council designate the Compass Rose located at 3223 Donald Douglas Loop as a City Landmark, described as a circular-shaped, twelve-point Compass Rose with a diameter of approximately 50 feet and a circumference of approximately 160 feet, based on the draft findings of designation Criteria 1 contained herein.
The character-defining features associated with the Compass Rose include the following:
• Location near or adjacent to the airfield, runway, taxiway, or other airport associated feature (its current location is non-original and therefore not historic); • Large size and distinct shape as a 12-point Compass Rose; • Material (FAA approved reflective paint) and color pattern and hue (blue and white)
• Block font type of “99” logo and arrangement as two interlocking number “9”s of varying size and shape.
Parcel Designation
The Ordinance grants the City Council on appeal, the power to designate a Landmark Parcel. The Compass Rose is described as a circular-shaped, twelve-point Compass Rose with a diameter of approximately 50 feet and a circumference of approximately 160 feet. Additionally, a three-foot perimeter around the Compass Rose is hereby defined as a Landmark Parcel in order to preserve, maintain, protect and safeguard the Compass Rose, as shown in the attached diagram.
Alternatives
As an alternative to the recommended action, the City Council may consider the following if supported by the full evidentiary record:
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1. Articulate revised findings resulting in the approval of the subject appeal, thereby denying the Compass Rose as a designated landmark.
Environmental Analysis
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that approving application and designating the Compass Ross and perimeter as a Landmark will result in any significant effect on the environment. This determination is based on the record as a whole, which includes, but is not limited to, evidence that the designation of the property as a Landmark will promote the retention and preservation of a historic resource, the designation would not result in any physical change to the property, and any future physical changes would be subject to subsequent CEQA review.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action as a result of the recommended action.
Prepared By: Beth Rolandson, Administrative Services Officer Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. 19ENT-0353 (3223 Donald Douglas Loop ) Appeal Application (1) B. Landmark Application 3223 Donald Douglas Loop
C. Landmark Application 3223 Donald Douglas Loop additional materials D. Compass Rose Landmark Assesment Report September 2019 Final E. City Council STOA 19ENT-0213 (3223 Donald Douglas Loop) Compass Rose F. STOA 19ENT-0213 (3223 Donald Douglas Loop) Compass Rose G. Compass Rose Correspondence
H. Airport Commission's Recommendation to Council 2 20191211 I. Landsmarks Commission 9/19/2019 Compass Rose Staff Report 19 of 19
J. Landmarks Commission 9/19/2019 Minutes Signed
K. Chattel Levine Act Disclosure Form 20240215
L. Landmarks Commission Minutes September 09 2019 (Web Link) M. Written Comments
N. Attachment N Supplemental City Attorney's Office Staff Report