TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney to prepare an ordinance to designate the roof-mounted “Fly DC Jets” sign located at 3860 North Lakewood Boulevard as a Historical Landmark. (District 5)
DISCUSSION
The “Fly DC Jets” sign is situated on the rooftop of the building located at 3860 N. Lakewood Boulevard between Conant Street and Carson Street. The property is the site of the former Douglas Aircraft manufacturing plant, which later became known as McDonnell Douglas. The Boeing Company took over the property in 1997 and closed the plant in 2006. The new property owners, Sares-Regis Group, leased the main hangar building to Mercedes Benz USA, which uses the building as a vehicle preparation facility, training facility and regional office for its western United States operations. On August 8, 2016, the Cultural Heritage Commission recommended the City Council landmark the sign (Exhibit A).
The building site is located within the PD-19 zone (Douglas Aircraft Planned Development District), which was originally adopted in 1986 and most recently amended in 2011. The PD-19 zoning permits a comprehensive list of land uses that are broadly consistent with the I-G (General Industry) district.
Last year, the City revised its Cultural Heritage Ordinance to make the landmark designation process more streamlined and consistent with State criteria. During this process, Development Services staff and the Cultural Heritage Commission discussed potential future landmarks that could be considered under the revised Ordinance and the “Fly DC Jets” sign was identified as a potential landmark. Staff approached the property owners with the idea to designate the sign. A site inspection was completed by staff and the property owners in March 2016. The property owners provided staff with rooftop access to inspect the sign. Staff found the sign to be in good condition with no signs of damage, alterations, or signs of deferred maintenance.
The “Fly DC Jets” sign remains at it...
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