By Roger Genser Landmarks Commissioner
Regarding the op-ed column by City Manager Lamont Ewell (“Seeing the forest for the trees,” Oct. 4), with all due respect to Mr. Ewell, I think it is not correct to suggest that the Landmarks Commission approved the removal of the trees for the streetscape project. About one and a half years ago, the Landmarks Commission was given a “courtesy review” of the extensive Second and Fourth streets proposal. My recollection is that the Landmarks Commission was quite critical of the project, including the replacement of street lamps and the addition of a now-dropped public art lighting project and the removal of trees.
The net effect, we thought, was to compromise the historical look of the streets.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 6, 2007. Read the original PDF.