1 David Yakobson
From: susan Loughmiller <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2026 10:45 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Please appoint Carol Lemlein to Landmarks
EXTERNAL
Carol has been a great partner to the historic Church in Ocean Park, and has a great knowledge of city laws and policies, is well versed in the field, and is smart and caring. We highly support her! Sent from my iPhone
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
2 David Yakobson
From: Richard Orton <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2026 10:42 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Carol Lemlein for Landmarks Commissioner
EXTERNAL
City Council.
I have know Carol over 10 years and as president of the Santa Monica Conservancy for much of that time there is no one more familiar with the issues before the Landmarks Commission than Carol.
Please appoint her to a post on that board.
And if you are at all interested in Santa Monica, please ask Dan Hall to show you the copies of my history book he has borrowed until April 1st. Lots of great stories there about old Santa Monica that will delight you. Later in April copies of the books will be available at all branches of the Santa Monica Library.
All the best,
Richard Orton
Ocean Park
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
3 Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Susan McCarthy <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2026 11:41 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Landmarks Commission Appointment
EXTERNAL
Carol Lemlein is exceptionally well qualified to serve the City of Santa Monica as a Landmarks Commissioner. She is a long time resident of the city and a long serving leader of the Santa Monica Conservancy with close ties to state and national preservation leadership.
Carol's knowledge, pragmatism and skill will help to ensure that our city meets today's challenging development issues without losing the essence of its historic appeal as a place to live, work and visit.
Thanks to all of you for your service to our community.
Susan E. McCarthy
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Andrew Hoyer <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2026 2:48 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya; Barry Snell
Subject: 03-24-26 CC Agenda Item 16-B
EXTERNAL
Councilmembers,
In regards to the unplanned vacancy on the Landmarks Commission, it is clear that the best candidate for the position is Carol Lemlein. She has been a constant source of historical data for me since I began my civic journey in 2011. I trust you will make the correct choice.
Thank you,
Andrew Hoyer
SMMCN Board President
There is only one moment in time when it is essential to awaken. That moment is now. - Buddha
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
2 David Yakobson
From: Janet Gollery McKeithen <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, March 23, 2026 3:26 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Comment on Item 16 B Landmarks Commissioner
EXTERNAL
Good afternoon, Council Members and Mayor,
I’m writing to voice my support for Carol Lemlein for Landmarks Commissioner. Carol has decades of experience in historic preservation - in Santa Monica and in the larger region. She is the only candidate with that depth of experience. She is extremely intelligent, organized and dedicated. She not only says she is interested in diversity, equity and racial justice, she has shown it with her actions. Through the Conservancy, she has worked closely with African American historian Alison Rose Jefferson, PhD, and the Quinn Research Center in developing programs that highlight the history and influence of the Black community in Santa Monica.
Social Justice and Equity are important in Landmark decisions. As we just saw with Cesar Chavez, what we preserve is important. We are living in a time when history is being erased. This is a time when some people (particularly white, straight men) in power are trying to rewrite history. Let’s not be those people. I believe that Carol listens, learns and cares deeply about the truth. Her voice will be one of equity and justice. We need that voice on our Landmarks Commission.
Janet Gollery McKeithen
Minister, The Church in Ocean Park
Co-Founder, Queer Prom Santa Monica
Co-Founder, The Committee for Racial Justice
Member, Santa Monica Bay Human Relations Council
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Leslie Lambert <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2026 3:53 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete
Subject: Item 16B
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis and Councilmembers,
I am writing to express my strong support for the appointment of Carol Lemlein to the Landmarks Commission.
I have known Carol for many years and can attest to her historic preservation expertise and integrity. I can also attest to Carol's ability to take a pragmatic approach to furthering historic preservation objectives. I appreciate this because she understands that meeting these objectives and housing production objectives are not mutually exclusive. It is not one or the other. Her work on the EAH affordable housing project at 14th and Michigan is a good example of a win win outcome.
Please appoint Carol Lemlein to the Landmarks Commission. The Commission will greatly benefit with her appointment. Thank you.
Leslie Lambert
Former Landmarks Commissioner
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Morgan Sykes Jaybush <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2026 7:52 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Santa Monica Landmarks Commission Recommendation Letter for Carol Lemlein Attachments: Santa Monica Landmarks Commission Recommendation Letter for Carol Lemlein
03.23.26.pdf
EXTERNAL
To the Santa Monica City Council,
I am writing to enthusiastically recommend Carol Lemlein for a seat on the Santa Monica Landmarks Commission. I have known Carol since 2024 when I joined the Board of the Santa Monica Conservancy, and a year later, I had the honor of taking over her position as Board Secretary.
As a fourth-generation Angeleno and the Creative Director at Omgivning, my architectural work is deeply rooted in the adaptive reuse of historic buildings. Throughout my 21 year career, I have collaborated extensively with the Los Angeles Office of Historic Resources, the California Office of Historic Preservation, the National Parks Service, and both the Los Angeles and Santa Monica Conservancies to help protect our endangered historic fabric. Through this professional lens, I can confidently say that no other candidate has more direct experience with our city's historic preservation program, our laws, and our local history than Carol. In addition to being exceptionally qualified, she is brilliant and thoughtful.
Carol has been a resident of Santa Monica for 39 years. Stepping into the Board Secretary role, I gained a profound appreciation for the strong organizational foundation she built during her nearly two decades with the Conservancy, particularly during her tenure as Board President from 2008 through 2019. She possesses a comprehensive understanding of local, regional, and national preservation policies. Given my own focus on complex adaptive reuse projects, I highly value her specific expertise regarding the California Historical Building Code and her recognition of the unique construction challenges inherent in maintaining and reusing historic structures.
Furthermore, Carol is widely respected for her ongoing dedication to community outreach and her commitment to bringing our city's history to the public. She consistently advocates for a holistic approach to preservation, ensuring that the cultural heritage of all our diverse neighborhoods is recognized and celebrated.
Carol’s profound expertise and inclusive vision perfectly align with the Landmarks Commission's mission to safeguard our cultural and architectural history for the education, pleasure, and welfare of the people. Her goal to make the historic designation process more accessible and transparent is exactly what our community needs. I can think of no one better suited for this role.
Sincerely,
Morgan Sykes Jaybush
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
2 Creative Director, Legacy LEED AP
O: 213.596.5602 ext 717
M: 323.687.8065
Located at:
söm co-space
1301 N. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
3 David Yakobson
From: Bea Nemlaha <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2026 8:36 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: 3/24/36 Council Agenda 16B - Landmarks Commission Appointment: Carol Lemlein
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and Council Members,
Please appoint Carol Lemlein to the Landmarks Commission vacancy.
As most of you know, Carol has been an active and knowledgeable member and supporter of Santa Monica’s historic preservation community for many years, including her service on the Santa Monica Conservancy Board.
No other candidate before you has the depth and breadth of knowledge Carol will bring to the Commission regarding our local, state, and federal laws defining and impacting local preservation. No other candidate has Carol’s experience with Santa Monica’s Landmarks Commission’s historic preservation decisions and outcomes. Carol is the only candidate who knows Santa Monica history suƯiciently to understand why, how, and where historic preservation matters.
We are truly fortunate that Ms. Lemlein wishes to serve. Thank you for appointing her.
Bea Nemlaha
3 rd Street Neighborhood Historic District
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
4 David Yakobson
From: Elizabeth Van Denburgh <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 23, 2026 10:22 PM
To: Caroline Torosis; Lana Negrete; Barry Snell; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems
Cc: Oliver Chi
Subject: 3/24/26 City Council Mtg. Item 16b - Carol Lemlein for unscheduled vacancy on Landmarks Commission
EXTERNAL
Mayor Torosis and City Council Members,
I strongly recommend Carol Lemlein to fill the unscheduled vacancy on the Landmarks Commission. No other candidate has the direct experience with our city's historic preservation program, our laws, and our local history that Ms. Lemlein does.
Many thanks,
Elizabeth Van Denburgh
Wilmont Chair
[email protected]
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Mario Fonda-Bonardi <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 10:35 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Landmarks Commission Appointment of Carol Lemlein
EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members,
Please appoint Carol Lemlein to the open position of Landmarks Commissioner. She is by far the most qualified person for the job having spent about two decades in the field of preservation and historical legislation. She understands the nuances and trade offs in preservation, is extremely well connected in the development and preservation community, and would bring her valuable experience to the Commission for the entire City's benefit.
Your favorable consideration of this request is greatly appreciated.
Mario Fonda-Bonardi AIA
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Barry Rosenbaum <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 11:57 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Landmark Commission Appointment
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor and City Council members:
I am writing to encourage you to appoint Carol Lemlein to the Landmarks Commission tonight. I observed Carol’s expertise with the City’s historic preservation program and our local history firsthand during the many years that I advised the Landmarks Commission as its City Attorney and during the time I served on the Landmarks Commission. I am quite confident that no other candidate is as qualified for this position as Carol is. It is wonderful that a person of her integrity and skill set is offering to volunteer for such an important role with the City.
Thanks so much for your consideration. She will serve you well.
Sincerely,
Barry Rosenbaum
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Amanda Seward <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 3:49 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; [email protected]; Natalya Zernitskaya
Subject: Appointment of Carol Lemlein to Landmarks Commission-Item 16B March 24 Council Meeting
EXTERNAL
I am writing to encourage your appointment of Carol Lemlein to the Landmarks Commission. She has direct experience with Santa Monica's historic preservation program and laws, a deep understanding and appreciation of the local history, and in addition is brilliant, hard working and thoughtful. There could not be a better candidate.
Amanda Seward
Law Offices of Amanda Seward
3530 Moore Street
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 439-2422 - telephone
[email protected]
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026
Item 16-B
March 24, 2026