City Over Gardens
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City Over Gardens |
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One of Redondo's most valuable historic assets, the Sweetser house at the corner of Beryl and PCH, has been in the news quite a bit recently. The new owner, Scott Leonard, wants to make some changes to the landscape, for which he submitted plans to the Preservation Commission. The plans call for some new hardscape to allow for ADA compliance plus the addition of a walkway and formal garden with a fountain on the existing lawn. This would require removal or significant alterations to the existing gardens and, to some, would dramatically affect the property's historic character. The Commission indicated that they would be willing to grant approval on most of the changes but that they would need to be scaled back a bit and be more sensitive to the property's historic aspects. While the Commission says they are basing their decisions on national preservation guidelines, the owner feels that the Commission is being too restrictive and is planning to take the matter to the City Council. The new owner maintains that his plans fall within the recommended preservation guidelines and feels a denial to approve his plans will leave him with no other option other than to sell the property to developers who would most certainly demolish the existing buildings. The City Council has sent the matter back to the Preservation Commission for further work to reach a compromise. Here are some comments of varying opinions on this matter including viewpoints from the property owner and the City of Redondo Beach. Its My Backyard by Scott Leonard Plans Impact Historic Features by Dean Francois 
These Sweetser House Gardens are at the center of dispute. Photo: Dennis Sullivan |