By Gregory Poirier Santa Monica
On Monday, March 11, the Santa Monica City Landmarks Commission will meet to continue a discussion that could lead to the designation of several “Historic Districts” in the area north of Montana.
Residents of our neighborhood should be aware of this very real threat. Under city statute, any home within a historic district falls under the explicit and complete control of the Landmarks Commission. This is as true for a home built yesterday as it is for a home built in 1929! Without the express written consent of the Landmarks Commission, in the form of “Certificate of Appropriateness,” homeowners are prohibited from making ANY alterations to their house, either inside or out (at the Commission’s Feb. 11 meeting, a resident of the Third Street historic district was before the panel because they did not approve of the color she had painted her shingles, and they were forcing her to have the paint removed. Not painted over; removed). This basically represents a partial taking of our homes, by the city, without our consent or any compensation.
The members of the Landmarks Commission have been extremely disingenuous throughout this whole process. They have continually gone on the record stating that the statute only covers the façade of homes in the district, although this is clearly not the case. Like I said above, the statute covers ANY alterations, no exception. The consequences of such restrictions on private homes would not only be intrusive and frustrating, they could have a devastating effect on property values.
Although many members of the community (over 100 at their December meeting) have spoken out against the districts, they continue to move forward with them. They have designated three houses on 18th street as structures of merit, prohibiting their demolition until the historic district can be rammed through their committee (one of these is my house). They have treated the citizens in a callous and rude manner, adopting the attitude that we are only opposed to historic districts because we are ignorant of what is good for us (and of course, they know what is good for us). They have even gone so far as to continue the issue to a later meeting to prevent the citizens from speaking out.
Have no doubt — the Landmarks Commission WILL impose these districts if the people do not stand up against them. I urge all residents of north of Montana to write to the City Council and the Mayor stating your opposition, and to attend the Landmarks Commission meeting on March 11, at 7 p.m., in the City Council chambers to make your voice heard.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 26, 2002. Read the original PDF.