Only two members of the public spoke on the ordinance at the council meeting, both praising the law as a step in the right direction for all sides.
Under the new ordinance, the owner or real estate agent representing a property being sold must disclose to potential buyers as soon as possible if it is designated as a landmark, a structure of merit, or if it contributes to a historic district. The law also requires property sellers to file a document with City Hall.
Tom Cleys, president of the nonprofit Santa Monica Conservancy and a local real estate financier, said before the new law, the situation was problematic because home buyers often purchased real estate before they realized there were limitations on properties.
“This basically solves that problem,” he said. “The average home buyer is not as knowledgeable in acquiring real estate.”
Local historian and Landmarks Commission member Roger Genser agreed, saying, “This ordinance really just directs the real estate industry to really make that disclosure... It’s really simple, straightforward.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 11, 2003. Read the original PDF.