The Santa Monica Conservancy posed questions to City Council candidates concerning preservation issues. The candidates’ responses are available to the public at the Conservancy’s Web site at www.smconservancy.org.
“It is very encouraging to see such broad enthusiasm for preservation among the council candidates,” said Joel Brand, Santa Monica Conservancy president. “A strong majority of the candidates participated in our written forum, and they unanimously supported preserving Santa Monica’s unique architectural character. While candidates differed on how best to protect the city’s historic fabric, they all recognized that it should be treasured. That’s a level of awareness that didn’t exist among candidates just a few years ago.”
The preservation movement in Santa Monica dates back to the 1960s and 1970s and was a response to an increase in development resulting from the completion of the Santa Monica Freeway, reports the conservancy. In 1973, the Santa Monica Pier was saved from demolition by a group called “Save The Santa Monica Bay.” The Santa Monica Landmark and Historic District Ordinance was passed in 1976. A few years ago, Proposition A, an initiative that would have required a property owner’s consent before a structure could be landmarked, was defeated.
The Santa Monica Conservancy, a nonprofit, nonpartisan volunteer organization, was formed in 2002. It is dedicated to the preservation of Santa Monica’s architectural, historic and cultural history through education and advocacy.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 15, 2004. Read the original PDF.