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Horizons/Zephyr Nomination Postponed:

Community members who hoped to see the Horizons/Zephyr surf and skate shop at 2001-2011 Main Street designated as a landmark will have to wait, as the Santa Monica Landmarks Commission has put off any action on the property for the time being.

At its December 11 meeting, the Commission decided that inasmuch as the property owner, 2001 Main St. LLC, has withdrawn its request to demolish the building pending community input into the matter, it was inappropriate to nominate the property at this time. The issue will be re-agendized for the February 2007 meeting, at which time the Commission will be updated on the owner’s progress in finding a practical solution to commemorating the Horizons site, a significant contributor to the history of surfing and skateboarding.

Juli Doar, granddaughter of the longtime owner, who has taken over administration of the property, explained to the Commission that the concept of the proposed development is to build rental units with retail space on the ground floor, only 14 units so that the building will not be overwhelming in mass, and that the building will be the first privately-owned LEED-standard building in Santa Monica, complete with solar panels on the roof. Doar has not abandoned this plan, but in the light of the worldwide support for the surf shop by concerned fans, she came to realize that she could not dismiss the historical importance of the site.

“I feel very strongly that there is some significance and I would like to investigate it,” said Doar. “I would love to commemorate and incorporate [the site] but we don’t feel that we can do it on our own.” She has called for more community input and has already received support from local activist Abby Arnold.

Arnold, who also spoke, said she wants to pull together a coalition of community members, including the Santa Monica Conservancy, SMASH School and members of the Arts Commission. Some of the ideas suggested so far have included a museum of surfing located in the new building and a commemorative mural.

Marcelo Vavala, of the Santa Monica Conservancy, and Jerry Rubin also spoke in support of finding a compromise solution. A different view was expressed by community member Jacob Samuel, who deplores “the changing nature of the neighborhood.”

In other actions, the Commission approved two Certificates of Appropriateness, one for on-site relocation and a 148- square-foot addition to a house at 2617 3rd Street in the Third Street Historic District, and one for approval of a 769-square-foot addition to a non-contributing residence within Hollister Court at 2402 4th Street, #15.

The Commission rejected a Certificate of Appropriateness application for the design of a new residence in the Third Street Historic District, to be located at 2646 2nd Street. Neighbors, many of them members of the Third Street CPC (Citizens Participation Committee) spoke out in protest against the owner’s plan due to the design for parking being unworkable on a narrow lot.

The Commission also continued discussion on a Certificate of Appropriateness for brickwork on the front porch steps of a house in the aforementioned Hollister Court at 2402 4th Street, #4. The Commission agreed that the brickwork did not conform to Landmarks guidelines, but could not decide on an immediate solution to the issue.

The Commission passed a Statement of Official Action declaring the Teriton Apartments at 130-142 San Vicente Boulevard as a City Landmark. However, an appeal of the designation will be discussed at the February 2007 City Council meeting.

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