CITY OF SANTA MONICA – CITY PLANNING DIVISION
LANDMARKS COMMISSION
DESIGNATION and STRUCTURE OF MERIT
APPLICATION
Landmark Designation Application Page 1
November 2024
Applications are submitted online through a virtual appointment system.
If you have questions about completing this application, please email City Planning at [email protected].
GENERAL INFORMATION
PROJECT ADDRESS: 1125 18 th Street
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Nomination for Structure of Merit for front house constructed 1923 with some distinctive architectural features. Behind it, a secondary structure was built in 1950. By applying for a permit, I understand and agree that contact information, including but not limited to, email addresses and telephone numbers, will become part of a disclosable public record pursuant to the California Public Records Act and that the City may elect not to redact contact information contained in this application prior to disclosing a copy of this application to the public. I further agree that I do not object to the City’s disclosure of contact information contained in this application in response to public records requests.
APPLICANT (Note: All correspondences will be sent to the contact person) Name: Organization Name:
Address: City/State: Zip:
Phone: Email:
CONTACT PERSON (If different from applicant)
Organization Name:
City/State: Zip:
Name:
Address: QG6WUHHW
Phone: Email:
Relation to Applicant:
PROPERTY OWNER
Name:
Address: City/State: Zip:
Phone: Email:
How is the ownership structured?
Person(s) Trust LLC Other______________________________________ Designation Requested Choose One, or Both:
Landmark Structure of Merit
I hereby certify that I have reviewed the subject application and declare, under penalty of making a false declaration, that to the best of my knowledge and belief, the information provided within this application is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. I authorize the applicant or contact person to make decisions that may affect my property as it pertains to this application.
Applicant’s Name (PRINT) Applicant’s Signature / Date
Mario Fonda-Bonardi, President
Kaitlin Drisko, Executive Director
Santa Monica Conservancy
2520 2nd Street 6DQWD0RQLFD 90405
(310) 496-3146 [email protected]
Santa Monica Conservancy
Santa Monica, CA 90405
[email protected]
Executive Director
Houshmand Joseph Naim
301 N. Avalon Blvd Wilmington, CA 90744
(310) 270-5695 [email protected]
Unknown.
Santa Monica Conservancy
(310) 948-5311
4/30/2025
Landmark Designation Application Page 2
November 2024 PROPERTY INFORMATION/ SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
Completed Application
All materials must be submitted digitally. Prepare one PDF file with the SIGNED application and all supplemental materials and a second PDF file of the Project Plans. Resolution should allow legible printing at 11" x 17".
Copy of ANY Relevant Permits
Digital Color Photographs:
Photographs of elevations or improvement organized to represent the current and past condition of the property.
Brief description of site or structure
Additional Information
Any information you feel would be of assistance in reviewing the application, such as original plans, old photos, or other historical information.
Description of site or structure (Optional).
PROPERTY INFORMATION
FOR STRUCTURES ONLY:
x Date of Construction: ______________ Factual Estimated x Historic Use of Structure(s): ___________Present Use of Structure(s): _________________ x Occupancy Status: Occupied Unoccupied
Statement of historic importance (Optional):
1923
Dwelling Dwelling
UNKNOWN
See Attached
Landmark Designation Application Page 3
November 2024 SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
OAKS INITIATIVE DISCLOSURE FORM
** Required for all Applications **
Pursuant to City Charter Article XXII, The Taxpayer Protection Amendment of 2000, the applicant is required to disclose all of its trustees, directors, partners, officers, and those with more than a ten percent (10%) equity, participation or revenue interest in Applicant / Contractor.
Identify the names of the following individuals
Applicant / Contractor: __________________________________________________________ Trustees, directors, partners, officers of the Applicant / Contractor (attach additional sheets if necessary):
Those with more than a 10% equity, participation or revenue interest in Applicant / Contractor (attach additional sheets if necessary):
Santa Monica Conservancy
Mario Fonda-Bonardi, President
Carol Lemlein, Vice President
Alec Nedelman, Secretary
Judith Meister, Treasurer
Catherine Conkle, Board Member
Carolyne Edwards
Nina Fresco
Karen Ginsberg
Albin Gielicz
David Kaplan
Ruthann Lehrer
Sharon Reyes
Amanda Seward
Morgan Sykes Jaybush
Laurel Schmidt
None. The Conservancy is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. , Board Member
, Board Member
, Board Member
, Board Member
, Board Member
, Board Member
, Board Member
, Board Member
, Board Member
, Board Member
Landmark Designation Application Page 4
November 2024
SANTA MONICA CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
TO: Public
FROM: City Attorney’s Office
RE: Levine Act Disclosure Form
DATE: January 25, 2024
The Levine Act (Government Code 84308) is a California law aimed at preventing “pay to play” practices by prohibiting parties, participants, and their agents in a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement from contributing more than $250 to an officer of the City during a 12-month period. The prohibition applies to any 12-month period while the proceeding is pending and for 12 months following the date a final decision is rendered in the proceeding.
State law requires a party to a proceeding to disclose any contributions exceeding an aggregate $250 that the party and their agents have made to an officer of the City within the preceding 12 months. The Disclosure Form is intended to assist City officials with recognizing when they have an obligation to disclose and recuse themselves, and to aid parties with their disclosure obligations.
1. To what sort of proceedings is the disclosure form applicable?
The Levine Act applies to all discretionary entitlements and contracts, with the exception of labor contracts, personal employment contracts, and contracts that must be awarded to the lowest responsive/responsible bidder. It does not apply to ministerial approvals. For instance, the Levine Act applies to the following:
• Building and development permits
• Conditional use permits
• Contracts generally (unless an exception applies):
o Contracts for goods, services, professional services
o Real property contracts for purchase, sale, lease
o Contract amendments o Settlement agreements
o Small contracts, including purchase orders, and zero dollar contracts (no de minimis exception)
• Public street abandonments
• Private development plans
• Professional license revocations
• Rezoning of specific real estate parcels
• Event permits
• Rulemaking procedures affecting a particular industry where only a small number of businesses are affected
Landmark Designation Application Page 5
November 2024
• Special district formation proceedings involving the creation of a special use or benefit to the person in the district
• Tentative subdivision and parcel maps
• Zoning variances
• Vacation of a public easement across private property • Pre-applications, such as for General Plan Amendment, considered by the legislative body prior to filing of formal application
• Contracts entered under the City Manager’s Authority
• Closed session items that may result in a contract/settlement agreement approved by Council (real estate or litigation)
It does not apply to:
• Purely ministerial decisions
• General policy decisions or rules where the interests affected are many and diverse • Ordinances and resolutions (except items like development agreements adopted by ordinance)
• Ballot measures
• Departmental policies
• Council rules
• Contracts awarded to the lowest responsive/responsible bidder (not applicable in Santa Monica)
• Labor contracts and project labor agreements
• Personal employment contracts
• Allocation of resources in the City budget
2. Who is required to disclose?
A “party” to a proceeding is any person who files an application for, or is the subject of, a proceeding. In general, a person or company who applies for a permit, license, or right to use property in a particular way, which requires the City’s discretionary approval, will qualify as a party.
Parties are also required to disclose contributions by their agents. An “agent” is someone who (1) represents a party to a proceeding for compensation; and (2) appears before or otherwise communicates with the City for the purpose of influencing the pending proceeding.
This can include law firms, architects, engineers, consultants, and similar entities. Both the individual and their employer or firm are considered “agents.”
A party should also disclose contributions of other entities majority owned by the party, as well as contributions of any other entity whose contributions it directs or controls.
3. What must be disclosed?
A party must disclose campaign contributions over $250 made in the prior twelve months. A “contribution” is anything of value for which the party has not received full consideration, including money, nonmonetary items, payments made for advertising or Landmark Designation Application Page 6
November 2024
other expenses coordinated with a candidate or committee, loans, tickets to political fundraisers, etc.
4. Who is considered an officer of the City?
An “officer” is anyone who may make, participate in making, or attempt to influence a decision in the proceeding or who exercises authority over officers who may do so. This includes elected officials, members of appointed boards and commissions, the City Manager, and any individual who is a candidate for elected office or who has been a candidate in the twelve months prior to the decision. This definition is included on the Disclosure Form.
5. When should the disclosure occur?
The Disclosure Form must be completed (1) by a party to a contract with the City (or that party’s agent) at the time the party submits a response to a Request for Proposal or other competitive solicitation, enters into contract negotiations with the City, or executes a contract with the City, whichever is earliest; or (2) by a party to a license, permit, or other entitlement proceeding before the City at the time the party (or their agent) submits the license, permit, or entitlement application to the City. The party (or their agent) must submit a supplemental form if they make any new reportable contributions while the same contract, license, permit, or other entitlement is being considered. The party (or their agent) must also use the form if they need to correct any previously submitted form.
Parties are solely responsible for completing the form accurately, and could face penalties for failure to do so. The California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) is the body who enforces violations of the Levine Act. If a party is uncertain about whether they are required to report or combine a contribution, they should consult with their attorney.
Nothing herein constitutes legal advice and individuals are urged to consult with their own attorney regarding the requirements of the law. To the extent there is any inconsistency, the language of the Levine Act and FPPC Regulations govern over this notice. Resources for officers, parties, participants, and agents, are available on the FPPC’s website at https://www.fppc.ca.gov/learn/pay-to-play-limits-and-prohibitions.html Landmark Designation Application Page 7
November 2024
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CALIFORNIA LEVINE ACT DISCLOSURE
In 2022, California’s SB1439 extended requirements under Government Code Section 84308, also known as the "Levine Act", to prohibit City “Officers” from participating in any action related to a contract, license, permit, or entitlement if such Officer received campaign contributions totaling more than $250 within the previous twelve months, and for twelve months following the date of a final decision, from a party or participant to the proceeding, or their agent.
Section 84308(a)(4) of the Levine Act defines an "Officer" as follows: “Officer” means any elected or appointed officer of an agency, any alternate to an elected or appointed officer of an agency, and any candidate for elective office in an agency. The term “Officer” is further defined 2 Cal. Code Regs. Section 18438.1, which states:
An officer of an agency includes only those persons who make, participate in making, or in any way attempt to use their official position to influence a decision in the license, permit, or entitlement for use proceeding, or who exercise authority or budgetary control over the agency or officers who may do so, and:
(1) Serve in an elected position, including an official appointed to an elected position due to an interim vacancy or an election otherwise canceled because the official was the sole candidate for the position;
(2) Serve as a member of a board or commission;
(3) Serve as the chief executive of a state agency, or county, city or district of any kind; or
(4) Have decision making authority with respect to the proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use and is also a candidate for elected office or has been a candidate for elective office in the 12 months prior to the proceeding.
A list of Santa Monica Elected Officials and members of boards and commissions can be found at the following links. The party making this certification is responsible for determining whether a recipient of a political contribution is a City Officer prior to completing this form.
https://www.smgov.net/departments/council/
https://www.santamonica.gov/departments/rent-control https://www.smgov.net/ /boards/.
Have you, your company, or any agent on behalf of you or your company, made any political contributions of more than $250 to any City Officer in the twelve months preceding the date of the submission of your application or proposal?
____YES ____ NO
Name of Councilmember or City Officer: _________________________________ X
Landmark Designation Application Page 8
November 2024
City of Santa Monica Levine Act Disclosure Form
Name of Contributor: _________________________________________________ Date(s) of Contribution(s): ____________________________________________ Amount(s) ________________________________________________________ Please specify below and/or add additional sheet(s) to identify additional Councilmembers or City Officers to whom you and/or your agents made campaign contributions.
Answering YES does not preclude the City of Santa Monica from awarding a contract, license, permit, or entitlement or taking any subsequent action related to the item. It does, however, preclude the identified City Officer from participating in any actions related to such item.
By signing below, you certify you also agree to disclose to the City any future contributions made to Councilmembers or other City Officers by you or your agent(s) after the date of signing this disclosure form, and within 12 months following the approval, renewal, or extension of the requested contract, license, permit, or entitlement.
I HEREBY CERTIFY UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA THAT THE FOREGOING IS TRUE AND CORRECT.
Signed: ____________________________ Date: ____________________ Print Name: _________________________ Title: _____________________ Company: ___________________________
Additional Disclosures:
Please note this form is a public record and subject to a California Public Records Act request.
City of Santa Monica Levine Act Disclosure Form
4/30/2025
Mario Fonda-Bonardi President
Santa Monica Conservancy
P.O. BOX 653
SANTA MONICA, CA 90406
310-496-3146
www.smconservancy.org
DATE: April 30, 2025
RE: Structure of Merit Nomination – 1125 18th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Dear Ms. Reich,
The Santa Monica Conservancy is submitting a nomination for Structure of Merit designation for the property at 1125 18th Street in response to the property owner’s demolition permit application.
The subject property is listed on the HRI as a potential Structure of Merit, and the Conservancy concurs that a full historic assessment should be conducted to confer status and apply resulting privileges, entitlements, and standards. We find that the structure is a rare example representing the first phase of residential development in an area that today consists primarily of multi-unit housing, and that it is an unusual and late representative of Craftsman design. Its setting with a deep frontyard setback, green lawn and mature landscape conveys the name of the subdivision as the Green Acres tract.
Our application states that the property meets Structure of Merit criteria A, B1 and B2.
We understand that the owner’s intention is to develop the site for six units of new housing.
Because this is a large lot, and the existing structure at the front of 1125 built in 1923 occupies a small part of the parcel, there remains substantial space to construct new housing inclusive of preservation of the existing front house. There are many successful examples of this type of development in Santa Monica.
The Conservancy intends to reach out to the owner as part of the process for consideration of a Structure of Merit designation, to present the benefits of designation as well as to discuss future development scenarios that include preserving the historic resource.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Mario Fonda-Bonardi
President, Santa Monica Conservancy
1125 18th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Nomination for Structure of Merit
4/30/2025
DESCRIPTION OF SITE AND STRUCTURE
The parcel at 1125 18th Street is 160 X 50 ft. in size and is located between Wilshire Boulevard and California Avenue in the Green Acres tract. The primary structure on 18th Street is a late Craftsman bungalow constructed in 1923 with some distinctive architectural features. Behind it, a secondary structure was built in 1950. A large mature tree with a spacious canopy is situated in the front yard. A garage on the south side of the parcel, built at the same time as the house, was demolished recently, but the ribbon driveway remains.
The HRI lists this property as eligible for Structure of Merit designation:
“1125 18th Street appears eligible for local listing as a Santa Monica Structure of Merit. The property conveys patterns of residential development that shaped the Wilshire Montana/MidCity neighborhoods of Santa Monica in the early decades of the twentieth century. Constructed in 1923, it is an example of a residential building from this formative period of neighborhood growth. The building does not rise to the level of significance needed to be eligible as a Landmark, but it appears eligible as a Structure of Merit.” The Craftsman bungalow displays characteristic features of that style, with one notable variation: the front entry, rather than frontally facing the street, is placed on a side elevation, offset from the street. The low-pitched front gable roof intersects with a sidefacing gable that projects over the entry door. This roof form caps a mass that projects slightly forward from the mass under the main roof gable, creating a stepped façade profile.
The cladding is narrow wood clapboard and the roof is composition shingles. The main façade feature is a continuous series of rectangular windows with wide board surrounds, wood sash double-hung with Craftsman-style crossed muntins; they are original. Exposed prominent rafter tails and angular wood braces over the entry door are typical Craftsman features. A slanted wheelchair ramp accesses the front door, altering the original front steps.
The green front lawn and mature tree with an expansive green canopy are integral to the significance of the site, alluding to the name of the original subdivision: Green Acres. The neighborhood today consists primarily of multi-family properties, making this Craftsman bungalow and its landscaped setting a “window into the past.”
STATEMENT OF ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
1125 18th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Nomination for Structure of Merit
4/30/2025
The Craftsman bungalow at 1125 18th Street was built in 1923, a late example of an architectural style that was prevalent from c. 1905-1920, with a peak of popularity from 1910-1915. By the early 1920s, Spanish Colonial Revival had become predominant in residential design along with other historical revival styles. Chronologically, this example is an outlier, but it indicates that the appeal of Craftsman architecture lingered into the 1920s.
This house is a pristine and intact example of Craftsman bungalow design, unaltered except for the handicapped ramp. The wood cladding consists of narrow clapboards, and the roof forms are low-pitched gables. The windows are double-hung wood sash, with crossed muntin detailing, framed with wide board surrounds. Structural members are prominent design features: exposed rafter tails, roof gable ends, angular brackets supporting the entry door gable. It has a high level of architectural integrity.
As an example of Craftsman design, the house displays variations on the traditional template for Craftsman homes. Typically, the entrance faced the street in a frontal position.
Here, the entry door is offset at a side elevation. Rather than an expansive front porch, the entry porch is smaller, compressed to fit the size of the front door. The elevation that faces the street consists of two groups of windows in rows, crowned with intersecting roof gables. The window detailing with the crossed muntins is a feature with aesthetic interest, with the novelty of asymmetry – the lower muntin is omitted.
STATEMENT OF HISTORIC IMPORTANCE
The house at 1125 18th Street represents the original housing development of the midWilshire area when it first became a residential neighborhood in the 1920s. Today, this house is relatively unique in its neighborhood, which consists primarily of multi-unit buildings. Its survival provides a glimpse back in time to understand the Green Acres tract as it was first developed in the 1920s, part of the boom in Santa Monica neighborhood development beginning in the 1920s. In later decades, multi-family construction replaced the original first-generation homes, so that this property today is a virtual “window into the past.” The attached Sanborn maps show the evolution of this mid-Wilshire area, and the gradual replacement of the original housing stock. The original tract name, Green Acres, is evoked by the landscaped setting of a grass lawn and sturdy tree with an expansive canopy in front of the house.
1125 18th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Nomination for Structure of Merit
4/30/2025
APPLICABLE CRITERIA FOR DESIGNATION AS A STRUCTURE OF MERIT Section 9.56.080
Criteria A, B1 and B2.
A. The structure has been identified in the City’s Historic Resources Inventory.
B. The structure is a minimum of 50 years of age and meets one of the following criteria:
1. The structure is a unique or rare example of an architectural design, detail or historical type.
The subject property is a Craftsman bungalow that was constructed late in the time period for that style’s prevalence – 1923 – and has design features that are unique within the typical framework of that style: the offset entryway placed at a side elevation rather than at the front; the small entry porch reduced to frame the front door; the intersecting cross roof gables; the bank of windows on the front façade with crossed muntins which are asymmetrical, lacking the lower muntin.
2. The structure is representative of a style in the City that is no longer prevalent.
Single-family one-story Craftsman homes represent a style that is no longer prevalent.