No Simple Neighborhood Dispute

May 4, 2008

Dear Editor,

Tuesday evening the City Council remanded the Cantilever proposed for 2617 Third Street in the heart of the Third Street Neighborhood Historic District to the Landmarks Commission for a "substantial redesign." ("Council Punts Project Back to Commission," May 1, 2008)

Four of the six Council members present made it clear, either explicitly or implicitly, that the proposed project was not compatible with the character of the District as that character is set forth in the Landmarks Ordinance, called out in the District Design Guidelines, and described by scores of District and Santa Monica residents who have opposed the project in writing, in petitions, and in Landmarks Commission and Council appearances.

Much has been written since the Council meeting about the project and the year-long process it has taken to bring it before the Council on appeal from the Landmarks Commission’s failure to approve it. Of the many commentaries in your newspaper and other local press, a few bear emphasis here.

The opposition to the project has not been just a current, simple neighborhood dispute. For those who have invested honest, hard work for almost 20 years to create and protect the Historic District, this is a valuable City treasure which merits preservation.

None who opposed the 2617 Third Street project dispute the owner’s right to use his property within the ordinary limitations of the building code or the mandate in the Historic District that new construction and additions to existing buildings should be compatible with the character of the District.

Now the property owner has an opportunity to bring forward new and creative solutions to meet both his desires as well as the mandates of the Landmarks Ordinance and the Third Street Neighborhood Historic District Design Guidelines.

Historic District and Santa Monica residents have a new opportunity to respond to a seriously and substantially changed project and to a cooperative review process.

Bea Nemlaha
Santa Monica

Bea Nemlaha is a resident and one of the early organizers of the Third Street Neighborhood Historic District.