By Peter Spelman
Re: 08APP-004 (2617 Third St. project) I am a 30-plus year Santa Monica resident, and 17 or 18 years ago lived on Third Street and was part of the group that helped form the wonderful, unique and tiny Third Street Historical District. The entire process was a beautiful example of democracy at work. The residents and concerned citizens came together to protect a very small portion of our communal heritage. We met for hours and hours (and hours), did all our homework, and presented our findings to the council, who approved the district. For all these years our work has brought pleasure and a better understanding of our history to those who live there, to those who live nearby, and to the thousands and thousands who visit our sweet neighborhood every year.
The person whose project you’re now considering moved into the district fully knowing where he was about to live. He chose to live in a historic district. He chose to live in a neighborhood with special rules and regulations. He made that choice knowingly and consciously. No one made him purchase a home in the district; he did it because he wanted to.
That person now seeks to build something totally out of character with the historic district and in clear violation of district guidelines. His design would be lovely in the 99.99 percent of Santa Monica that is not the Third Street Historic District; because he chose to live in this.01 percent of town, it is inappropriate and therefore unacceptable.
The residents of the district, and those of us who live nearby and/or who participated in its creation, are united in opposition to the project. We thought we’d fought this battle 18 years ago, when we formed the district. Why are we fighting it again? What’s the purpose of democracy if the citizens’ almost unanimous choices are overridden on a whim?
Your choice is clear. You can protect our heritage and our democratic process, or you can ignore the citizenry and vote to override the Landmarks Commission. As before, the citizens of our wonderful city are watching and hoping you do the right thing.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 21, 2008. Read the original PDF.