SR 05-14-2019 3I
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: May 14, 2019
Agenda Item: 3.I
1 of 2
To: Mayor and City Council
From: David Martin, Director, City Planning
Subject: Approval of Statement of Official Action Designating 610 California Avenue as
a Structure of Merit
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council approve Statement of Official Action for 18ENT-
0316, designating 610 California Avenue as a Structure of Merit.
Executive Summary
When Council conducts occasional land use appeal hearings, it is acting in a “quasi-
judicial” mode and must make legal findings supporting its decisions. On March 5,
2019, the City Council held a public hearing to consider Appeal 19ENT-0016 of the
disapproval of Structure of Merit designation application 18ENT-0316. The Council
upheld the appeal, thereby designating the single-unit residence located at 610
California Avenue as a Structure of Merit. Included in the motion to uphold the appeal
were minor changes to the Structure of Merit designation findings provided in the staff
report, as suggested by the appellant. The Statement of Official Action has been revised
accordingly, and is attached for Council approval (Attachment A).
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action as a result of the recommended
action.
2 of 2
Prepared By: Steve Mizokami, Senior Planner
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. PCD - STOA - Structure of Merit 610 California - 05.14.2019
FINDINGS AND DETERMINATION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA IN THE MATTER OF
THE DESIGNATION OF A STRUCTURE OF MERIT
_____________________________________________________________________
DESIGNATION OF A SINGLE-UNIT RESIDENCE
LOCATED AT 610 CALIFORNIA AVENUE
AS A STRUCTURE OF MERIT
18ENT-0316
SECTION I. On August 15, 2018, the property owners, Gershon Gabel and Betina
Pomerantz, filed a demolition permit application to remove the subject single -unit
residence and detached garage. On October 18, 2018, the Santa Monica Conservancy
filed an application to designate the single -unit residence as a Structure of Merit. On
January 14, 2019, the Landmarks Commission was scheduled to conduct a public hearing
on the application for designation; however, due to a lack quorum, the Commission was
unable to hear or act on the application. As a result, required processi ng time period
expired, and the application was deemed disapproved. On January 23, 2019, Nina Fresco
filed an appeal of the disapproval. The City Council, on appeal, having held a Public
Hearing on March 5, 2019 hereby designates the Craftsman bungalow residence located
at 610 California Avenue as a Structure of Merit based on the following findings:
9.56.080(a). The structure has been identified in the City’s Historic Resources Inventory.
The subject property has been identified in the City’s Historic Resources
Inventory (2018) as a potential City of Santa Monica Landmark (5S3).
Therefore, the subject property satisfies this criterion.
9.56.080(b). The structure is a minimum of 50 years of age and meets the following
criteria:
The subject property was constructed in 1912 and is a minimum of 50 years
of age. Therefore, the structure is eligible for further consideration under the
following criteria:
9.56.080(b)(1). Structure is a unique or rare example of an architectural design, detail or
historical type.
The subject residence is a rare intact early example of the Craftsman
bungalow style in this section of the Town of Santa Monica tract. It is one of
the oldest remaining residences in the area, constructed during the area’s
earliest period of development. Given the period of significance (1912)
during which it was constructed and its rarity as an intact early “transitional”
Craftsman bungalow in this section of the large tract, the subject property
satisfies this criterion.
9.56.080(b)(2). It is representative of a style in the City that is no longer prevalent.
Constructed in 1912, the subject residence is an example of an early style
Craftsman bungalow. This “transitional” Craftsman-style cottage was
popular in Santa Monica during the first quarter of th e 20th century. Based
on its complex hipped roof, wide lap siding, fenestration, and date of
construction, the modest bungalow exhibits a transitory phase between the
hipped-roof cottage and Craftsman bungalow. Craftsman -style residences
were prevalent in residential neighborhoods throughout much of Santa
Monica in the 1910s and 1920s. The earliest examples of the style in this
portion of the old township have become increasingly rare due to the
demolition of older, small-scale residences to accommodate higher-density
residential development in the 1950s to the present. As a formative example
of early 1910s Craftsman architecture, a style and type no longer prevalent
in this section of the Town of Santa Monica tract neighborhood north of
Wilshire Boulevard, the subject property satisfies this criterion.
Character-defining features of its original design include: its general scale
and massing, horizontal wood lap cladding, hip and gable roof, prominent
gabled dormer on the sloping front side of the roof, wide overhanging eaves,
ridge beams and fascia boards, projecting wood window sills and flat wood
surrounds, and Craftsman inspired door with original hardware and flat wo od
surround.
SECTION II. The rear detached accessory structure/garage is excluded from this
designation.
SECTION III. I hereby certify that the above Findings and Determination accurately
reflect the final determination of the City Council of the City of Santa Monica on March 5,
2019 as determined by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Jara, Winterer, McKeown, Himmelrich, Morena, Mayor
Pro Tem O’Day, Mayor Davis
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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 part on that fact.
Respectfully Submitted
May 14, 2019
____________________________________
Gleam Davis, Mayor
Attest:
____________________________
Steve Mizokami
Landmarks Commission Secretary