News & Advocacy

Another historic district has been nominated by the Conservancy. Located at 4th Street and Ocean Park Boulevard, it comprises 15 contiguous, intact structures without no intrusion from modern apartments. It represents layers of Ocean Park architectural history in a variety of styles, including a late Victorian cottage, Craftsman homes, a courtyard configuration, Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival. In addition, a group of nearly identical small Craftsman cottages along the steep hillside of Ocean Park Boulevard marks the opening of this important roadway in the neighborhood. Strong resident and owner support was evident at the community meeting in January.

Major rehabilitation of a formerly neglected courtyard complex at 227 Beach Street received a Certificate of Appropriateness for new landscaping, lighting as well as a four foot fence to secure the courtyard. The courtyard is a contributing building in the Third Street Historic District. The Landmarks Commission recommended design improvements and a reduction in the scale of the fence to preserve the open courtyard feeling.

In January, a 1916 Craftsman Bungalow at 1129 Ashland Avenue received landmark designation. Elegantly designed and with a high level of original architectural integrity, it was a pioneering home in an area of Sunset Park which was primarily agricultural at that time. The house was featured on a Conservancy architectural tour a few years ago. The builder, Charles Warren Brown, designed his own Craftsman house on Third Street, which was already landmarked in 1997.

In December 2018, the Landmarks Commission initiated a new procedure for preliminary review of Demolition Permit Applications for buildings and structures 40 years and older, based on an Emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance adopted by City Council in November. The Commission considers whether there is credible evidence in the record to proceed with a future public hearing, avoiding the perception of bias in making a recommendation for further investigation of the merits of a threatened building. Such factors as whether the property is listed on the Historic Resources Inventory or whether a member of the public has provided evidence of historic significance are considered. Following this new process, the Commission has recommended additional assessments for the 1954 Fire Station at 1447 7th Street and the Tudor Revival residence at 401 19th Street.

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