1 MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
LANDMARKS COMMISSION
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2026
MEETING BEGINS AT 7:00 P.M.
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1685 MAIN STREET, ROOM 250
CALL TO ORDER Chair Green called the meeting to order at 7:07 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Jack Hillbrand
Carol Lemlein
Joseph May
Pam O’Connor
Neal I. Payton
Amy Green, Chair
Absent:
Jodi Summers, Vice-Chair
Also present:
Stephanie Reich, AIA, LEED AP, Design & Historic Preservation Planner, Commission Liaison Michelle M. Hugard, Deputy City Attorney
Caroline Yeh, Staff Assistant III
1. SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS
1-A. 7:05 PM
Oath of Office
Joseph May
Carol Lemlein
Pam O’Connor
Docusign Envelope ID: 74D54CC8-03A6-83CA-81D7-295093C8D330 2 1-B. 7:11 PM
Election of Officers
Commissioner O’Connor made the motion to nominate Vice-Chair Summers as Chair and Chair Green seconded. A roll call was held for the motion and was approved unanimously by the following vote:
AYES: Hillbrand, Lemlein, May, O’Connor, Payton, Green
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Summers
Commissioner Payton made the motion to nominate Commissioner O’Connor as Vice-Chair and Commissioner Green seconded. A roll call was held for the motion and was approved unanimously by the following vote:
AYES: Hillbrand, Lemlein, May, O’Connor, Payton, Green
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Summers
Commissioner Green and Vice-Chair O’Connor agreed that Commissioner Green would continue to chair the meeting.
Commissioner Payton volunteered to be the Pier Board Liaison and Commissioner Green volunteered to be the alternate.
1-C. 7:14 PM
Report from Staff:
Stephanie Reich, Design and Historic Preservation Planner, provided the following staff report:
The World Cup, Coast and other Summertime events have been a great success! We are now preparing for upcoming international events including the Olympics. Many sites in Santa Monica will be included in event related hosting, such as national team event spaces. In particular, we anticipate investments, in maintenance and minor upgrades, to the Camera Obscura and Miles Playhouse, prior to hosting planned Olympics related activities. Special events will be continuing in September and throughout the Fall season.
There is also some infrastructure improvements and deferred maintenance across the City. In particular, the Coral Trees on the median along San Vicente have had some important work. Many Coral Trees across the region have been dying due to new pests Docusign Envelope ID: 74D54CC8-03A6-83CA-81D7-295093C8D330 3 and diseases introduced because of climate change. Unfortunately, our beloved Coral Trees are not immune. Many have died and become a hazard. Two have fallen over.
Public Landscape has had to remove a number of trees on the San Vicente median and a few in the San Vicente Courtyard Apartment Historic District. The focus right now is to preserve as many existing trees as possible and then look for an appropriate replacement tree, hopefully another species of Coral Tree that might have a better survival rate. There will be a Special Meeting of the Urban Forest Commission on Wednesday, October 14 at 6PM, in the Santa Monica Main Public Library in the second floor multi-purpose room.
The Commission reviewed a digital sign at 1355 3rd Street. Since the time of that review, the team has also included the reconstruction of a historic sign at the southeast corner of the building. This sign will be included in the Development Agreement moving forward to the City Council.
The Historic Pier Sign, a Santa Monica beacon since 1941, is set for dismantling and restoration in mid- to late-September. We want to emphasize that this is a preservation operation, not a demolition. As part of the work, electrical service will be disconnected; each neon tube labeled, removed, and crated; temporary supports will stabilize the sign cage; the sign be dismantled and will then travel to a specialty sign restoration facility in Las Vegas. Finally, when the new bridge is completed in 2027, the restored sign will return, mounted higher for better visibility and clearance, in time to welcome the world prior to the LA28 Olympics.
Mills Act Contracts are scheduled for City Council review on October 13.
Thank you to Roger Genser. Roger has been committed to the Landmarks Commission for decades, having been appointed several times. Originally appointed in 2001, he served three terms and then returned in 2018. Roger has often served as Local Historian and has also served as Commission Chair. He has always provided exceptional insight into the City’s history and thoughtful consideration of every item. 1-D. 7:20 PM
Landmarks Commissioner Announcements
Vice-Chair O’Connor stated while on the City Council, she voted for Roger’s 20 years of appointments to the Landmarks Commission and that his passion for protecting historic buildings in Santa Monica was unparalleled. He will be missed, but he’s not leaving town, so she hopes to see him in the future. The Commissioners agreed and spoke of great appreciation for Roger’s accomplishments and commitment to preservation.
Docusign Envelope ID: 74D54CC8-03A6-83CA-81D7-295093C8D330 4 2. CONSENT CALENDAR’
2-A. 7:22 PM
Meeting Minutes:
July 13, 2026
Vice-Chair O’Connor made the motion to approve the Consent Calendar and Commissioner Green seconded. A roll call was held and was approved unanimously by the following vote:
AYES: Hillbrand, Lemlein, May, O’Connor, Payton, Green
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Summers
3. STUDY SESSION
None.
4. CONTINUED ITEMS
None.
5. STAFF ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
None.
6. PUBLIC HEARING
6-A. 7:24 PM
1921 20th St (26ENT-0089): Landmark Designation Application Consideration of designation application 26ENT-0089 for the property located at 1921 20th Street to determine whether the residential structure in whole or in part, should be designated as a City Landmark and, if designated a Landmark, 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). Also included is consideration of compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), including an exemption under CEQA Guideline 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption).
Ex parte communications:
Commissioner Hillbrand visited the site.
Commissioner May spoke with the applicant.
Commissioners Lemlein and Payton, and Chair Green were familiar with the site.
Docusign Envelope ID: 74D54CC8-03A6-83CA-81D7-295093C8D330 5 Ms. Reich presented the staff report.
Nina Fresco, representing the Santa Monica Conservancy, presented for the applicant.
Lydia King, Property Owner, stated her opposition to the designation.
No Public Comment.
Ms. King provided Rebuttal.
Ms. Fresco provided Rebuttal.
Commissioner Discussion included:
The difference between condition and integrity
The distinguishing qualities and rarity of the building as an Airplane Bungalow Owner’s position of opposition
State of California designations and exclusion from consideration if the Owner disagrees with designation
Development of the tract and neighborhood during the early 1920s Question of significance of the early period of development Cultural relationship of building to the tract and neighborhood Setting on the site that changes visibility
Commissioners also noted that:
The tract was subdivided in 1904, and the building was built 9 years later. The building did nothing to stimulate the development of the area. This building does not appear to represent the development or the tract. It was also noted that the Airplane Bungalow was not popular in Santa Monica and that just because it exists as a subtype, does not mean it is historic.
The majority of the Commissioners also agreed that the property does not appear to have a cultural relationship to the neighborhood or the city. The building did not stimulate development in the neighborhood or the city.
Commissioner Hillbrand noted his disagreement. He dismissed the concern about the lack of development in the neighborhood prior to the 1920’s. He stated that the building is interesting in that it tried to be the early expression of the Craftsman Style and that there are elements that are interesting. He also identified that it would take substantial investment to rehabilitate the property.
Commissioner Hillbrand made the motion to designate the property under Criterion 4, including the CEQA exemption noted in the staff report. There was no second and the motion failed.
Vice-Chair O’Connor made the motion to deny the designation and Chair Green seconded. A roll call was held and approved by the following vote:
Docusign Envelope ID: 74D54CC8-03A6-83CA-81D7-295093C8D330 6 AYES: May, O’Connor, Payton, Green
NAYS: Hillbrand, Lemlein
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Summers
7. RESOLUTIONS
None.
8. WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
8-A. 8:50 PM
San Vicente Boulevard Medians from Ocean Avenue to 26th Street Ms. Reich stated that typically there is no public comment on written communications, but the bylaw reads that if the author is present, then they or anyone else can comment on the item. Otherwise, public comment would fall under item 10, Public Input.
Deputy City Attorney Hugard added that this was public testimony rule 18.
Caroline Dixon, author of the letter, spoke in support of the letter.
Diane Jenkins and Jerry Rubin also provided public comment.
9. DISCUSSION ITEMS
9-A. 8:58 PM
Discussion and possible selection of a Landmarks Commissioner to attend the City Council meeting on October 13 for Mills Act Contract presentation.
No Commissioners volunteered, might not be available that date.
9-B. 9:00 PM
Report from Landmarks Commission Liaison to the Architectural Review Board (ARB) on recent ARB consideration and action taken on proposed projects involving additions to or modifications of potential historic resources.
Nothing to report.
9-C. 9:00 PM
Report from Landmarks Commission representative to the Santa Monica Pier Corporation (SMPC) on recent SMPC activities and action taken on proposed projects involving the Landmark Santa Monica Pier
Docusign Envelope ID: 74D54CC8-03A6-83CA-81D7-295093C8D330 7 Ms. Reich passed along the following report from former Commissioner Genser:
There will be a special meeting of the Pier Corporation board scheduled for next Thursday, September 17 at 7pm. The meeting was requested by City Staff for an update about the 256 Santa Monica Pier space, formerly Rusty’s Surf Ranch.
10. PUBLIC INPUT
9:18 PM.
Jerry Rubin spoke regarding the electronic billboard at Santa Monica Boulevard and the Promenade. He stated that the Urban Forest Commission, in an advisory capacity, voted that the existing trees should remain. He suggested that ADA Access be provided for the Camera Obscura. He recognized Roger Genser for his service and for his vote to designate Chain Reaction as a City Landmark.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Green adjourned the meeting at 9:04 PM.
Attest: Approved:
Stephanie Reich Jodi Summers
Landmarks Commission Liaison Chair
Docusign Envelope ID: 74D54CC8-03A6-83CA-81D7-295093C8D330