SR-402-007 (2)
PCD:SF:JT:AS:KC:f:\plan\share\council\stoas\01APP017.doc
Council Mtg: October 9, 2001 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Certification of the Statement of Official Action for Appeal 01-017 of a
Decision of the Landmarks Commission Designating the Structure
Located at 1333 Ocean Avenue as a City Landmark (Case No. LC-01-LM-
001). Appellant: Sherman Stacey, Esq. Property Owner: Dr. Sirros
Farzam, Ocean Avenue Management LLC.
INTRODUCTION
This staff report transmits for City Council certification the Statement of Official Action
for Appeal 01-017 of the Landmarks Commission’s decision designating the structure
located at 1333 Ocean Avenue as a City Landmark (Case No. LC-01-LM-001).
On August 14, 2001, the City Council voted 5-0 with one Council member abstaining to
uphold the Landmarks Commission’s determination and deny the appeal. The City
Council’s decision was based upon the findings contained in the attached Statement of
Official Action.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT
The recommendation presented in this report does not have any budget or fiscal impact.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve the attached Statement of Official
Action.
Prepared by: Suzanne Frick, Director
Jay Trevino, AICP, Planning Manager
Amanda Schachter, Principal Planner
Kimberly Christensen, AICP, Senior Planner
Planning and Community Development
Attachment: Statement of Official Action
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
CITY COUNCIL
STATEMENT OF OFFICIAL
ACTION
PROJECT
CASE NUMBER: Landmarks Designation Case No. LC-01-LM-001
LOCATION: 1333 Ocean Avenue
APPLICANT: Santa Monica Landmarks Commission
APPELLANT: Sherman Stacey, Esq. (01APP-017)
PROPERTY
OWNER: Dr. Sirros Farzam, Ocean Avenue Management, LLC
CASE PLANNER: Kimberly Christensen, Senior Planner
REQUEST: Appeal of the Landmarks Commission’s decision to
designate the structure at 1333 Ocean Avenue a City
Landmark.
CEQA STATUS: The proposed project is categorically exempt from the
provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) pursuant to Class 31, Section 15331 of the State
Implementation Guidelines in that the approval of the
landmark designation consists of a project limited to the
preservation of a historical resource in a manner
consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards
for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for
Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing
Historic Buildings.
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CITY COUNCIL ACTION
August 14, 2001 Date.
Approved based on the following findings and subject to the
conditions below.
X Denied Appeal 01-017. Designation of Landmark Case No. LC-
01-LM-001 upheld.
______________ Other.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF ACTION:
August 14, 2001 Designation of Landmark Case No. LC-01-LM-001
Following a public hearing held on August 14, 2001, the City Council denied the appeal
and upheld the Landmarks Commission’s approval of LC-01-LM-001 based upon the
following finding:
(1) The structure at 1333 Ocean Avenue exemplifies, symbolizes, or manifests
elements of the cultural, social, economic, political, or architectural history of the
City.
This circa 1906 structure retains its architectural integrity and historical context to reflect
the early residential development of the City. The building’s architectural features that
make it a strong example of a typical Queen Anne structure include the two story,
shingle clad tower, the steeply pitched roof with multi-gables, and boxed eaves.
Residential structures of this size, scale and architectural style lined Ocean Avenue at
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the turn of the 20 century. This residential character slowly changed as the area
urbanized and increased commercial development occurred along Ocean Avenue and
the nearby commercial districts, including the Third Street Promenade, which was the
first developed commercial area in the City. The subject property is one of the few
surviving examples of the Victorian style homes that characterized development along
Ocean Avenue, illustrating the early architectural history of Santa Monica.
(2) The structure at 1333 Ocean Avenue 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 to such a study.
This Queen Anne-style building was originally designed as a single-family residence.
Queen Anne architecture, which was prevalent during the late 1800s and early 1900s, is
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characterized by steeply pitched roofs with irregular shapes; dominant front-facing
gables; patterned shingles, bay windows, front porches, and balconies. Details such as
corner brackets, dentils, and spindle work are also common. The structure still retains
its architectural integrity, and incorporates many of the trademarks of this style,
including clapboard cladding, roof treatments with boxed eaves and exposed rafter tails,
dentils, and a steeply pitched roof. The two-story shingled tower is another classic
feature associated with this idiom. Other Queen-Anne style features, which distinguish
this structure, include its multi-gable roof, which is treated with boxed eaves, exposed
rafter tails, and dentils. The stout, two-story tower sheathed with shingles and capped
by a very low-pitched conical roof is attached to the southwest corner of the building.
The primary (west) elevation is punctuated by a recessed, centrally located entry, large
fixed-paned windows, and a recessed balcony. The main entry into the building is
approached by a concrete walk and concrete steps. Brick stoops with cast stone lion
statues flank the steps. It appears that the porch area, located along the south half of
the primary elevation, has been enclosed, however this change is reversible. The
second-story balcony is recessed under a pent roof and is enclosed by a low, wood
railing. Fenestration (window patterning) is primarily fixed pane or double-hung.
(3) 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 structure is a rare example of a turn-of-the-century residential property
representative of the original building type and architectural style that once lined Ocean
Avenue. The small remaining cluster of structures, including this property and the
Gussie Moran House, mark the few surviving properties that illustrate Ocean Avenue’s
early history as a residential street. Ocean Avenue stands out in Santa Monica as one
of the City’s most scenic corridors. This quality stems from the Avenue’s ocean view
location, adjacency to Palisades Park and its mix of architectural styles and building
types that provide a snapshot of the City’s development history. Located at this site for
almost 100 years, the 1333 Ocean Avenue structure is an important contributor Ocean
Avenue’s character, notable for its architecture, building type, and picturesque location.
These facts combine to make the 1333 Ocean Avenue structure a familiar visual feature
of the community.
VOTE
Ayes: Bloom, Genser, McKeown, O’Connor, and Mayor Feinstein
Nays: None
Abstain: Holbrook
Absent: Katz
NOTICE
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If this is a final decision not subject to further appeal under the City of Santa Monica
Comprehensive and Zoning Ordinance, the time within which judicial review of this
decision must be sought is governed by Code of Civil Procedures Section 1094.6, which
provision has been adopted by the City pursuant to Municipal Code Section 1.16.010.
I hereby certify that this Statement of Official Action accurately reflects the final
determination of the City Council of the City of Santa Monica.
_____________________________ _____________________________
MARIA M. STEWART, City Clerk Date
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