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Ken Genser Square

Additionally, the Commission unanimously voted to recommend to the City Council that the area currently known as Palisades Garden Walk be renamed

Santa Monica Commons

and it further recommended that in recognition of the historical significance of the land and history of the community, that the area currently known as Observation Hill be renamed Tongva Hill and that an appropriate area of the park be identified in honor of the Belmar Triangle Neighborhood.



• 1/19/12  Recreation and Parks Commission Agenda

The Landmarks Commission will develop name recommendations for the Town Square site in February (link to be posted at a later date) and will also consider recommending a name for the Palisades Garden Walk site as well.

In March, the City Council will take public input, and review the results of public surveys, recommendations by staff and the design team, and recommendations from appropriate Commissions. 

Last night City Council upheld the appeal of the Landmarks Commission decision and approved the Certificate of Appropriateness application on a revised design for Town Square.  City Council also approved updated Palisades Garden Walk Overlook Structures designs and streescape plans for Ocean Avenue and Main Street.   James Corner Field Operations and its team of experts will now work to completed the Construction Documents.  Construction of the parks will begin in Spring of 2012 and be completed by the end of 2013.

Today, the first of the 100+ ton, 60 year old, "Three Amigos" Ficus trees was moved.  Watch a video of the move under "Construction Updates" above.  The "Three Amigos" are being planted near "Morty" to form a Ficus grove in the new park.

Condition 1:  Retain all of the existing brick work;

Condition 2:  Reduce the number of Western Sycamore trees in each row of the north and south allees from the proposed 6 trees per row to 4 or 5;

Condition 3:  Minimize the amount of decorative grasses in the lawn areas; and

Condition 4:  Retain the existing accessible ramp and planter configuration and replicate it exactly on the north side of the City Hall entry.

The park design team carefully reviewed the four conditions and has modified the Town Square plan in response to them.  However, because the design response is not completely compliant with the conditions of approval, an appeal has been filed and will be will be considered by the City Council during its October 25^th meeting.  On October 20, 2011, the Recreation and Parks Commission will review the plans for Town Square and formulate recommendations for Council consideration.

On September 19, 2011 the Architectural Review Board approved the revised design or the Overlook Structures in Palisades Garden Walk. On October 25, 2011, the revised design will be presented to the City Council along with plans for the Main Street and Ocean Avenue streetscapes adjacent to the project.

• STAFF REPORT - appeal of the Landmarks Commission decision to approve Certificate of Appropriateness application which allowed for modifications to an approved design for the Town Square Park project.
  

• STAFF REPORT on the design of the Palisades Garden Walk Overlook Structures as approved by the Architectural Review Board; the streetscape plans for Ocean Avenue and Main Street adjacent to the park areas; and direction to move forward to proceed with construction documents.

The modified design includes the retention, rehabilitation and/or relocation of certain existing historic character defining elements of the site, in addition to reconfiguring the site topography and grade, the installation of new landscaping and hardscape materials, a central water feature, new benches and seat walls, and lighting. Pursuant to Santa Monica Municipal Code, a Certificate of Appropriateness is required for any proposed alterations in whole or in part, of or to a Landmark or Landmark Parcel.

• Landmarks Commission Agenda (see item 8-A)
• Revised Design of Town Square for Landmarks Commission Review

• ARB Agenda 8/29/11
• Staff Report to ARB for 8/29/11 on Item 7.3

• Coastal Commission Staff Report

The City's Architectural Review Board, during its Monday, July 18th meeting held at 7 PM in the City Council Chambers, will review refined designs for the park's overlook structures, pedestrian bridge and maintenance shed. 

• Architectural Review Board Agenda
• Architectural Review Board Staff Report
• Presentation to the Architectural Review Board

Finally, on Thursday, July 21st starting at 7:30 PM in the City Council Chambers, the Recreation and Parks Commission will listen to suggestions from members of the public before making a recommendation on a permanent name for the new Civic Center Park currently known as Palisades Garden Walk.  Results of the written and on-line public surveys will be presented to the Commission and are summarized in the report attached.

• Recreation and Parks Commission Agenda
• Report to Recreation and Parks Commission on Park Naming

• Watch Video (may require Windows Media Player)