To: PUBLIC AMENITIES COMMISSION
From: JOHN CIAMPA, SENIOR PLANNER
TITLE
title
A PUBLIC HEARING CONSIDERING A REQUEST FOR DESIGNATION OF THE BUILDING AND PROPERTY AT 519 GARNET STREET AS A LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK, PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 4, TITLE 10 OF THE REDONDO BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE
APPLICANT: DIANE L. CLITES LIVING TRUST, DIANE L. CLITES TRUSTEE
ADDRESS: 519 GARNET STREET
APPLICATION NO: LM-2026-0778
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Open public hearing and administer oath;
2. Take testimony from staff, applicant, and interested parties;
3. Close public hearing and deliberate; and
4. Adopt a resolution by title only approving the request subject to the findings and
conditions contained therein:
A RESOLUTION OF THE PUBLIC AMENITIES COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 519 GARNET STREET PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF CHAPTER 4, TITLE 10 OF THE REDONDO BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE
end
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The applicant is requesting that the Public Amenities Commission grant local landmark designation for the property at 519 Garnet Street. The Los Angele County Tax Assessor records indicate that the residence was likely constructed in 1908. The earliest recorded City building permit was not issued until 1937. This home is consistent with the several other designated properties of a similar scale and design along the 500 block of Garnet Street. As such, this property serves as a meaningful contributor to the block and potential future expansion of the Garnet Street Historic District.
BACKGROUND
Description of Nominated Property
The nominated property consists of a 576 square foot one-story single-family residence with a detached structure at the rear of the property. The property is located on the northern side of Garnet Street, between South Francisca Avenue and South Guadalupe Avenue. The rectangular-shaped parcel is approximately 2,000 square feet in size (25 feet in width and 80 feet in depth). The property is zoned R-3, Low Density Multi-Family Residential.
Per the Los Angeles County Assessor, the records indicate that the property was developed in 1908. The property was not identified in the City’s Historic Resources Survey, however, it is immediately adjacent to ten other landmark properties on the 500 block of Garnet Street. Additionally, earlier in 2026 four contiguous “Landmarked” properties (501, 505, 509, and 511) became part of the Garnet Street Historic District. Similarly, 517 Garnet Street was not evaluated in the Historic Inventory but was added as a historic landmark and obtained a Mills Act in 2023.
Design and Architecture
The nominated structure is another neighborhood example of the Cottage architectural style which was popular in the United States from 1905 until the early 1920’s. Cottage houses from this period feature functional, informal floor plans and simple box-like shapes. These buildings generally harmonize with their surroundings, with low proportions and little ornamentation. Typical of this style is the heavy use of wood including exposed beam-ends, and wood clapboard or board-and-batten siding.
The house is a small 575 square foot one-bedroom, single-family residence Cottage, with many of the classic character-defining features including the covered front entry porch, hipped roof, wide overhanging roof eaves, and clapboard wood siding. Some of the house’s windows appear to be original; however, over the years several were modified to sliding aluminum windows along the front, side and rear elevations. The floor plan is simple and rectangular in shape, which is common for these small beach homes.
Historic Research and Permit History
The Los Angeles County Tax Assessor’s office shows that the property was built in 1908 with additional records indicating the first recorded occupant as Rev. L.A. Husson in 1911. The earliest permit on record is permit no. 3267, issued in 1937 for “res. alterations” to Jacob Nagel, implying that a house was already constructed. Additional permits followed: permit no. 46285 issued in 1976 to Leonard Roe (same owner as 519 Garnet Street) for an 272 square foot aluminum patio at the rear of the structure and not visible from the street, an inspection in 1977 occurred, and permit no. E40242 was issued in 1987 to Leonard Roe for new service, electrical permit. The above modifications to the property over the years have not resulted in a change to the front elevation’s form and scale.
Reverend Husson is the first identified resident to occupy the cottage in 1911, and a local phone directory lists George Love at this address in 1912. The applicant’s brother, Leonard Roe has resided at the property for the last fifty years until his passing in 2023, at which time ownership was transferred to the applicant.
The applicant has provided the following timeline of residents at this property gleaned from City records, telephone directories, obituaries, and newspaper articles:
• 1911: Rev. L.A. Husson - pastor at First Christian Church, came from Nebraska to Redondo with his spouse and four daughters. Shortly thereafter, he became first resident of the landmark property at 512 Garnet, now named in his honor.
• 1912: George Love - shipping clerk, Standard Oil Company
• 1913: W. Barlow
• 1923-1937: Theodore B. Thompson - long-time Redondo resident, moved here from Montana where he retired as a sheep rancher. When Theodore died, his pallbearers included neighbor Otis Frame and Jacob Nagel. Frank L. Perry (who later served as a city attorney) acted as his Attorney for Executor.
• 1937: Jacob Nagel - brother to Bertha Nagel Thompson (who married Frank Thompson, Theodore’s brother) and son of Redondo resident Peter Nagel. Jacob testified in support of Frank L. Perry in a Superior Court Damage suit.
• 1941: Christine Lefler - Cap and Apron Club met at the address
• 1941: Delbert Schaper and Gladys Poole Schaper
• 1942: Kenneth A. Hunter, his spouse, and newborn son
• 1947: Paul M. Kreinbring and Betty Jane Kreinbring
• 1952: Eugene M. Iverson and Leota Nancy Iverson - mechanic at South Shore Motor Co, Hermosa Beach
• 1960: George Washington Terrill and Mary B. Terrill
• 1961: Alexander McBride, his wife, and newborn daughter
• 1964: Midred Irene Perry
• 1975-2023: Leonard Roe
• 2023-2026: Shawn Henderson, Diane Clites’ son
Local Landmark Designation and Criteria
In order to be eligible for designation, a structure must be at least fifty years of age and meet one or more of the following criteria, as stated in Section 10-4.201 of the Preservation Ordinance:
A. It exemplifies or reflects special elements of the City's cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering or architectural history.
B. It is identified with persons or events significant in local, state or national history.
C. It embodies distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period or method of construction, or is a valuable example of the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship.
D. It is representative of the notable work of a builder, designer or architect.
E. Its unique location or singular physical characteristic(s) represents an established or familiar visual feature or landmark of a neighborhood, community or the City.
In the evaluation of the records of the property and the structures’ condition it is City Staff's
position that this home embodies criteria C and meets the required criteria for Landmark
designation.
MILLS ACT CONTRACT
The applicant has made the application for designation as a landmark contingent upon City approval of a Mills Act Agreement. If the Commission were to approve the designation, a Mills Act Agreement would subsequently be considered by the City Council.
Summary and Conclusion
The age and cottage design make the house eligible for historic Landmark Designation and a potential future contributor to the Garnet Street Historic District. There are several original homes along this street face, many of which are already locally designated buildings and included in the Garnet historic District. The addition of this property to the Landmark list would maintain the character of the 500 block of Garnet Street. This property was also developed in a time when Redondo Beach was transitioning from industrial activities at the wharves into a seaside destination. The fact that so many families lived at the site further supports how the property represents the cultural, social, and economic history of the City. They were the working-class individuals that helped shape and grow Redondo Beach.
ATTACHMENTS
Draft Resolution 2026-08-PA-03
CEQA Exemption Declaration
Application for Landmark Designation 20260778
Location Map
Property Photos