Landmarks commission ponders historic designation
Older homes are rapidly being replaced in Santa Monica’s north side neighborhood by mansions, a city survey has found.
The homes were listed in a historical survey taken of homes North of Montana Avenue that was officially released Tuesday night before a raucous crowd of home owners.
Consultants who prepared the report characterized Santa Monica as losing its older historical properties and said city officials need to make important decisions about how they want to preserve the remaining buildings before they are demolished or significantly altered.
The consultants looked at 3,900 homes north of Montana and found about 9 percent, or 358 homes, were historically significant, meaning they should be designated and protected from future development.
The number of homes on the inventory didn’t change very much from 1986, the last time a historical survey was taken. At the time, many of the homes were not old enough to be considered historic but now they are. Meanwhile, many of the homes that were older than 50 years have been razed and replaced.
About two thirds of the 158 homes in an area known as the “Palisades Tract” were identified in 1986 as having historical merit. But they have been either demolished or altered to the point that they have no historical significance, consultants said. The homes were located from Palisades Avenue to Georgina Avenue, between Seventh Street and Ocean Avenue.
3C7,“It used to be the whole area could have been designated, but now many of the homes have either been demolished or had so many additions added that they are no longer eligible,” said Christy McAvoy, a consultant with Historic Resources Group, the Hollywood-based firm that was hired by the city of Santa Monica.
The city spent $29,000 to have the survey done, according to city planner Amanda Schachter.
“It certainly wasn’t a surprise considering the pace of construction in Santa Monica,” Schachter said. “Unless those buildings are designated that trend will likely continue.”
Landmarks Commissioner Roger Genser said the commission considers about 12 demolition permits a month, the majority of which are for homes north of Montana Avenue.
“I think it is alarming. I think the historic fabric of the city is rapidly disappearing,” he said. “Homes that were not considered significant 20 years ago are now significant because of the rapidly disappearing homes.”
“I think it is alarming. I think the historic fabric of the city is rapidly disappearing.” — — ROGER GENSER Santa Monica Landmarks Commissioner
The report identifies six potential areas for designation as historic districts — the Palisades Tract, the San Vicente Apartment Group, parts of Adelaide Drive and Georgina Avenue, several homes along 18th Street, and parts of La Mesa Drive.
Consultants said the area includes some of the oldest and most significant historic resources in Santa Monica. Included within the area are 10 historic properties that have been designated on the national, state, and local level.
However, the report said less than 1 percent of the potential historic properties north of Montana Avenue have been designated or preserved.
Residents at the meeting were vehemently against historic districts and the idea that their homes may become “structures of merit.”
“I was unhappy when I first heard about this project and I’m unhappy about it now after hearing the results of this survey,” said Michael Burger, an 18th Street resident. “If you asked the residents if they wanted this, they would tell you that they don’t.”
They believe that if their homes are designated as historic buildings, it will cause their properties to drop in value and the city will prohibit them from making alterations or remodeling their homes. They also say the designation will bring crowds of tourists through their neighborhoods.
“We’re going to have tour buses running down our streets,” said John Bone, an 18th Street resident. “Privacy is a concern. I want to retain the privacy of the neighborhood.”
The crowd of about 80 people applauded after each speaker denounced historic districts. And they booed the one speaker that spoke in favor of the idea — Jerry Rubin, who lives in Ocean Park.
Tom Larmore, a local property rights attorney who lives north of Montana Avenue, has helped organize a movement that fights the historic designation effort.
Larmore is spearheading “Homeowners for Voluntary Preservation,” a newly-formed committee that will be circulating a petition in an effort to allow homeowners a choice as to whether their homes should be classified as landmarks or as historical buildings. The group needs 6,000 signatures to place the measure on the November ballot. The measure would prevent the city from deeming homes historic without the consent of the owner.
Committee members believe restrictions on private property constitutes an unwarranted intrusion of personal freedoms.
“If this was to be mandatory, it would be downright frightening,” he said.
The Landmarks Commission did not make a decision on the survey but it will discuss the issue at its Monday meeting.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 4, 2002. Read the original PDF.