SR 07-23-2019 3I
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: July 23, 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 Upholding Appeal 18ENT -140 and
Denying the Designation of Sycamore Tree(s) at 1122 California Avenue as a
City Landmark
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the attached Statement of Official
Action for the Appeal 18ENT-140, denying the designation of the sycamore tree(s) at
1122 California Avenue as a City Landmark.
Executive Summary
On May 14, 2019, the City Council held a public hearing to consider Appeal 18ENT-140
of the approval of application 17ENT-211 to designate sycamore tree(s) located at 1122
California as a City Landmark. The Council upheld the appeal, thereby denying the
designation. The Statement of Official Action 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.
Prepared By: Stephanie Reich,
Approved
Forwarded to Council
2 of 2
Attachments:
A. STOA 18ENT-0140
B. Written Comments
FINDINGS AND DETERMINATION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA IN THE MATTER OF THE
DENIAL OF THE DESIGNATION OF THE
SYCAMORE TREE AT 1122 CALIFORNIA AVENUE
_____________________________________________________________________
DENIAL OF THE DESIGNATION OF THE
SYCAMORE TREE AT 1122 CALIFORNIA AVENUE
AS A CITY LANDMARK
17ENT-0211
SECTION I. On October 16, 2017, John C. Smith, on behalf of the Wilshire Montana
Neighborhood Coalition (Wilmont), filed application 17ENT -0211 to designate a western
sycamore tree located at 1122 California as a City Landmark. The Landmarks
Commission, after conducting two public hearings on the application, on Decemb er 11,
2017 and May 14, 2018, and, in consideration of all public testimony, reports and
materials introduced into the public record, designated the tree as a City Landmark by a
4-2 vote. On May 24, 2018, the property owners, Iradj and Lesley Shahriary, filed a timely
appeal (18ENT-0140) of the Landmarks Commission’s decision to designate the tree .
The City Council, on appeal, having held a Public Hearing on August 14, 2019, and in
consideration of all public testimony, reports and materials introduced into the public
record, hereby upholds the appeal and denies the designation of the sycamore tree at
1122 California Avenue based on the following findings:
(1) It exemplifies, symbolizes, or manifests elements of the cultural, social,
economic, political, or architectural history of the City.
Research did not reveal information in support of this criterion.
(2) It has aesthetic or artistic interest or value, or other noteworthy interest or
value.
The subject tree is not one but two trees, with one wrapping the other, not an
uncommon configuration for western sycamore trees . It is a large mature tree which
stands out on this portion of California Avenue, as other trees on this side of the street
appear to have been more recently planted. However, there are several notable trees
on this block, 153 mature and notable trees and 21 native Sycamores within the
neighborhood. While this tree may be prominent on its site and an excellent specimen,
there are western sycamore trees throughout the City of Santa Monica. Many trees
on the block and in the neighborhood are mature and notable, and this tree is not more
notable than other trees on the block or in the neighborhood. As there is no particular
noteworthy interest or value in the tree at 1122 California Avenue, it does not meet
this criterion.
(3) It is identified with historic personages or with important events in local, state
or national history.
It is likely that Joseph C. Gilbert and his wife Bess planted the tree. The property is
identified with the Gilberts and later, John Cornish and his wife Corinne. While both
families appear to have had successful careers and were involved in local
organizations, neither would be considered to be historic personages associated with
the history of the City of Santa Monica. The tree has not been identified with any other
historic personages or with important events in local, state or national history.
Therefore, it 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 to such a study.
This criterion is not applicable to the designation of a tree as a Landmark.
(5) It is a significant or a representative example of the work or product of a
notable builder, designer, or architect.
This criterion is not applicable to the designation of a tree as a Landmark.
(6) It has a unique location, a singular physical characteristic, or is an established
and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community or the City.
As the subject tree appears to have been planted around the time of the development
of the site, 1922, the tree is almost 100 years old. While the subject tree may appear
prominent, considering the size of existing younger and smaller nearby trees located
on the south side of California Avenue, there are several notable trees on this street,
across the street, and in the immediate neighborhood. The tree is located in the middle
of the block, on a typical street and its location is not unique or exceptional. For these
reasons, the tree does not meet this criterion.
SECTION II. 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 May 14, 2019
as determined by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Jara, McKeown, Mayor
Pro Tem O’Day, Mayor Davis
NOES: Himmelrich, Morena
ABSENT: Winterer
Each and all 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
July 23, 2019
____________________________________
Gleam Davis, Mayor
Attest:
____________________________
Stephanie Reich,
Design and Historic Preservation Planner
1
Vernice Hankins
From:Ruta Habnek <ruta1@verizon.net>
Sent:Monday, July 22, 2019 8:38 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Sycamore on 1122 California Ave
Dear Council Members:
I am writing to you regarding the deed restriction that was to be put into place for the sycamore tree on 1122 California
Ave.
I urge the Council to see to it that the deed restriction be executed as the owner had agreed to do during the May
14th meeting.
Additionally, i urge you to support reconstituting the Urban Forest Task Force and empower it to act as an advisory body
to support developmemt and implementation of a private tree ordinance.
Sincerely,
Ruta Habanek
Santa Monica resident
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Vernice Hankins
From:Debra Narvaez <debnar77@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, July 22, 2019 8:50 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:1122 California deed restriction
Hello Council members, I am a Santa Monica resident and Sycamore tree supporter. I would like to know why the deed
restriction agreed upon at the 5‐14‐19 meeting has not been signed?? Please follow through with the deed restriction!!
Please approve the reconstituted period of 7 years for the Urban Forest Task Force and as important, setting the
advisory board to implement a private tree ordinance ASAP. Thank you Debra Narvez
Sent from my iPhone
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Vernice Hankins
From:Tom <tommarinello@hotmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, July 23, 2019 12:50 PM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:Sycamore tree at 1122 California Ave
Dear Council members,
I urge you to get this deed restriction signed immediately as agreed upon previously and also to act IN THE
PUBLIC INTEREST and approve the 7 year period for the Urban Force Task Force.
This can and should be done immediately.
Thank you
K.Marinello
Sent from Outlook
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Vernice Hankins
From:MINDY BEARDSLEY <mindybear27@icloud.com>
Sent:Tuesday, July 23, 2019 5:15 PM
To:councilmtgitems; Councilmember Kevin McKeown
Subject:1122 California Avenue Sycamore
Dear Council Members and Mayor Davis,
I urge you to uphold the Landmark Designation (deny the appeal) on the 100 year old Sycamore Tree at 1122 California
Avenue until a private tree ordinance or the agreed upon 2 year deed restriction has been signed by owners.
Sadly, the owners agreed to a 2 year deed restriction and the time frame was supposed to be 2‐3 weeks. It has now
been 8 weeks and there has been no movement on signing.
Additionally, I urge you to support reconstituting the Urban Forest Task Force and empower it to act as an advisory body
to support development and implementation of a private tree ordinance.
Thank you,