Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association

MINUTES - Special Board Meeting of October 21, 2004

Meeting held at Sams' Restaurant

Meeting was called to order at 7:07 by President George Wolfberg.
Introductions:
Approval of Minutes. The minutes of October 5 were approved as corrected.
Committee Report. Mike Deasy reported for the Canyon Service Station Committee. The station has lost its appeal to continue the automobile detailing business. The entire property has been sold and is currently in escrow. Escrow will not close until the station’s tanks are empty and Brian Clark leaves. This is expected to occur around November 10 or 11. Although Brian Clark had made an offer that met the offering price, it apparently was not considered and another offer was accepted. No turn down or counter offer was received and the first notice came when a company came to do a soil test at the station—the test showed the soil was “clean.” Frank Langen stated that the buyer is an architect named Christopher Murray.
The board discussion stressed a desire to preserve the gas station and not harm the Marquez family. It is believed Coastal Commission approval of any development will be required. An EIR may also be required.
Brian Clark has been in touch with Ken Bernstein of the LA Conservancy to determine steps for obtaining landmark status of the station. The buyer has apparently stated an intention to donate the station to the Peterson Automotive Museum. The proper venue for obtaining historic landmarking is the City Board of Cultural Affairs Commissioners. .George Wolfberg talked with Jay Oren of the Commission who provided information on proper forms to fill out to apply for historic-cultural monument status. Mike Deasy has the forms and instructions.
Quentin Fleming proposed the following motion:
That the board authorize the application to the City of Los Angeles for Cultural-Historical Monument status for the Canyon Service station in its present form and location and that the Service Station Committee prepare and file the necessary documents with the City by October 26 and that this motion be liberally construed, as necessary, to meet the City’s application requirements.
The motion was seconded by Cynthia Winter and unanimously approved.
Other Business. None presented.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 PM.

NEXT MEETING: November 9, 2004