April 22, 2015
Landmarks Commission
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Re: San Vicente Blvd. Courtyard Historic District
Dear Commission Members:
The Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (“SMCLC”) joins the many other community groups in Santa Monica who have requested that the Landmarks Commission move forward expeditiously to initiate the filing of a historic district application to protect the dozens of contributing courtyard structures along San Vicente Boulevard between Ocean and 7th Street.
This unique multi-family courtyard housing should be preserved. There are a significant number of architecturally noteworthy buildings designed around abundant open green space and harmonious scale that are becoming rare in our community.
Protecting the massing, scale, design and landscaping of these courtyard buildings is vitally important in promoting a sense of strong community and quality of life for the residents. Retaining these multi-family complexes is also the environmentally superior, sustainable practice.
Living in this proposed district (though not in any of the contributing buildings) I understand these buildings’ importance architecturally and to the fabric of our community.
Thank you for taking the lead in the creation of this historic district so that future generations can continue to appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Diana Gordon
Co-Chair
Cc: City Council
San Vicente Historic District Coalition
Scott Albright