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Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: November 10, 2009
Agenda Item: l'~~
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Eileen Fogarty, Planning & Community Development
Subject: Statement of Official Action Upholding Appeal of Landmarks Commission
Designation of 3030-3060 Nebraska Avenue as a City Landmark.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the City Council approve the attached Statement of Official Action
upholding Appeal 08APP-005 and reversing the decision of the Landmarks Commission
to designate the property at 3030-3060 Nebraska Avenue as a City Landmark.
Executive Summary and Discussion
This staff report transmits for City Council certification the Statement of Official Action
for Appeal 08APP-005. After holding a public hearing, the City Council upheld Appeal
08APP-005 and reversed the Landmarks Commission's designation of the structure
located at 3030-3060 Nebraska Avenue as a City Landmark, and of the real property
commonly known as 3030-3060 Nebraska Avenue (SANTA MONICA LOT COM AT
MOST N COR OF LOT 2 BLK 199 TH SE ON NE LINE OF SD LOT 110 FT WITH A
UNIFORM DEPTH OF 150 FT SW AT R/A PART OF LOT 2 BLK 199) as a Landmark
parcel, based upon findings contained in the attached Statement of Official Action.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The recommendation presented in this report does not have any budget or fiscal impact.
Prepared by: Scott Albright, AICP, Senior Planner
Eileen Fogarty
Director, Planning & Community
Development
Attachment: Statement of Official Action
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Approved: Forwarded to Council:
ATTACHMENT A
STATEMENT OF OFFICIAL ACTION
ity of
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
STATEMENT OF OFFICIAL ACTION
PROJECT
CASE NUMBER: Appeal 08APP-005
LOCATION: 3030-3060 Nebraska Avenue
APPLICANT: City of Santa Monica Landmarks Commission
APPELLANT: NMS Properties, Inc. and Nebraska Studios; LLC
PROPERTY OWNER: Nebraska Studios, LLC
CASE PLANNER: Roxanne Tanemori, AICP, Senior Planner
REQUEST: Appeal O8APP005 of Landmarks Commission Designation
of the Property at 3030-3060 Nebraska Avenue as a City
Landmark.
CEQA STATUS: The project is categorically exempt from the provisions of
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to
15331, Class 31 of the State Implementation Guidelines in
that the project consists of designating a property as a
Landmark thereby. aiding in the preservation of a historic
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 (1995),
Weeks and Grimmer. The project is also exempt pursuant
to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). Section
15061(b)(3) provides that CEQA only applies to those
projects .that have the potential for causing a significant
effect on the environment. Since the proposed action
would result in the retention of the existing structure and
would not change the existing environmental baseline,
there is no potential that the project would cause a
significant effect on the environment.
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CITY COUNCIL ACTION
September 8, 2009 Date
X
Appeal upheld and Landmarks Commission approval reversed
based upon the findings below:
Appeal denied and Landmarks Commission designation
upheld based on the following findings:
Other
EFFECTIVE DATE OF ACTION: September 8, 2009
The City Council, having held a public hearing on September 8, 2009, hereby upholds
Appeal 08APP-005 and reverses the Landmarks Commission's designation of the
structure located at 3030-3060 Nebraska Avenue as a City Landmark, .and of the real
property commonly known as 3030-3060 Nebraska Avenue (SANTA MONICA LOT
COM AT MOST. N COR OF LOT 2 BLK 199 TH SE ON NE LINE OF SD LOT 110 FT
WITH A UNIFORM DEPTH OF 150 FT SW AT R/A PART OF LOT 2 BLK 199) as a
Landmark Parcel based on the findings and determinations below.
Each and all of the findings and determinations are based on the competent and
substantial evidence, both oral and written, contained in the entire record relating to the
Project. All summaries of information contained herein or in the findings are based on
the substantial evidence in .the record. The absence of any particular fact from any
such summary is not an indication that a particular finding is not based in pait on that
fact.
Findings and determinations for Designation of the Landmark Parcel and Structure Per
SMMC 9.36.100(a)
(7) It exemplifies, symbolizes, or manifests elements of the cultural, social, economic,
political or architectural history of fhe City.
The subject building was initially constructed in 1951 to expand available
industrial/manufacturing space within the City. In later years (1972-1992), it
housed the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), an academic
institution that has achieved worldwide prominence and acclaim. While it is
agreed that SCI-Arc is significant to the City's cultural heritage, the property at
3030-3060 Nebraska Avenue is not emblematic of the school, its
teachingieducational philosophy, and does not symbolize one of the school's
founders, Ray Kappe. The City's Landmarks Ordinance has a specific purpose
to .protect and safeguard improvements that represent the cultural heritage and
history of the. City. This building, which has been significantly altered and its
historic architectural integrity compromised, does not embody or reflect the City's
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cultural heritage. Therefore, the subject property does not meet this criterion.
(2) It has aesthetic or artistic interest or value, or other noteworthy interest or value.
As a vernacular, utilitarian industrial building the subject property does not
articulate a particular or noteworthy concept of design sufficient enough to
express an aesthetic ideal beyond that represented by other properties of the
same type and style located in the City. Therefore, the subject property does not
meet this criterion.
(3) It is identified with historic personages or with important events in local, state or
national history.
The subject building housed SCI-Arc from 1972 to 1992. Its founder and Director
from 1972 to 1987, Ray Kappe, is an internationally recognized and published
architect. However, the building is not expressive or representative of his work or
philosophy and does not best represent his historic contributions to architectural
education. Therefore, the subject property does not meet 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 property does not appear to satisfy this criterion: The subject property is a
common example of a vernacular, utilitarian industrial building erected in the
1950s as represented in industrial areas along both sides of Olympic Boulevard
in Santa Monica. In addition, the original ground floor fenestration and entrance
area of the building's primary (north) elevation have been modified in recent
years such that it no longer exemplifies the type and style of industrial building
typical of the 1950s. Further, the building's modified interior spaces as the home
of SCI-Arc have since been reconfigured and no longer reflect the innovative,
acclaimed renovation of the building by students and faculty during its early years
of occupancy.
(5) It is a significant or a representative example of the work or product of a notable
builder, designer or architect.
Building permits indicate that there was no architect associated with the design of
the subject property; however, owner John F. Drescher was identified as the
building's contractor. Architect Otto Beyerle designed the nondescript penthouse
addition constructed one year later. Current research revealed no information
suggesting-that either Drescher or Beyerle were considered notable members of
their respective professions. Therefore, the subject property does not appear
eligible for local landmark designation under this criterion.
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(6) /t has a unique location, a singular physical characteristic, or is an established and
familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community or the City.
The subject property is located on the south side of Nebraska Avenue, a street
consisting primarily of industrial, office, and studio spaces. The subject building is
utilitarian in design and material composition and is not visually prominent in the
neighborhood. Therefore, the subject property does not meet this criterion.
VOTE (on motion to uphold appeal and reverse Landmarks Commission decision)
Ayes: Bloom, Davis, Holbrook, O'Connor, Mayor Genser
Nays: McKeown, Shriver
Abstain:
Absent:
NOTICE
If this is a final decision not subject to further appeal under Article 9 of the Santa Monica
Municipal Code, 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. STEWA T, City Clerk Date
F:\CityPlanning\Share\COUNCIL\STOAS@008\08APP-005,Councif STOA (3030-3060 Ne'6raska Avenue).docx