Council Wrap: Landmark, Room for a View and Overhauling Samoshel

By Lookout Staff

Nov. 15 -- The City Council saved a Spanish Colonial Revival home, tackled visual obstacles adjacent to driveways and sidewalks and approved a number of contracts at its meeting Tuesday night.

Plans to replace the nearly 70-year-old home -- which is part of the Gillette Regent Square Tract north of Montana -- were nixed by the council, which upheld a Landmarks Commission decision designating the structure at 224 18th Street as a city Structure of Merit.

In addition, the council directed staff to determine the best ways of making sure realtors disclose the City's Landmarks law to prospective buyers and research its ability to require disclosure.

In a separate item, the council approved an ordinance that would allow driveway curbs, low planter walls and landscaping not more than 24 inches in height within the five-foot Hazardous Visual Obstruction area, a safety zone adjacent to driveways.

The new change will maintain the "see and be seen" safety criteria of the existing requirement, while allowing reasonable flexibility in designing projects. The ordinance -- which still must be approved on second reading -- allows planter curbs, landscaping or a neighbor's flower bed adjacent to a new driveway.

In addition, the proposed ordinance would authorize the Zoning Administrator and Transportation Planning Manager to approve other low-profile encroachments within this area on a case-by-case basis.

The council also approved on consent several contracts for the following:

• Additional public outreach services for the Transit Mall project
• Lease of offices at 1918 Main Street for the City's Engineering Division
• Storm drain catch basin maintenance services to be provided by Chrysalis, a work training program for the homeless.
• Master planning services for Santa Monica Place (to be paid for by the mall) to be conducted by the Roma Design Group as part of their Civic Center Specific Plan update work
• Agreements related to completion of new Fire Station No. 2.

The Council also approved resolutions on consent accepting $500,000 in grant funds for an urban runoff treatment system and $53,000 in grant funds to be provided to the Venice Family Clinic for their Infant Car Seat Program.

In a separate vote, the Council approved contracts to replace the exterior of Santa Monica Shelter (Samoshel) -- the homeless shelter adjacent to the bus yards between Colorado Avenue and the freeway -- and add insulation, heating and air conditioning.

The council also took actions to settle two claims against the City for a total of $75,000 and appointed Diana Sahagun to the Commission on the Status of Women..