Last Wednesday night, the Planning Commission approved the Santa Monica Conservancy’s application for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and variance to allow it to relocate the landmark Shotgun House to the parking lot across from the Ocean Park Library, and operate it as a Preservation Resource Center for the community.

The CUP is the first major step in a series of reviews required before the project can move forward. The Landmarks Commission, the Architectural Review Board, and the California Coastal Commission must also approve the project at public hearings expected early next year.

The Conservancy signed a 20-year renewable lease for the Shotgun House with the City of Santa Monica in January. Its rehabilitation as a Preservation Resource Center will serve as a model of adaptive reuse and will provide a base from which we can offer expanded educational programming as well as one-on-one support and technical assistance with historic preservation questions.

If you would like to help with the rehabilitation of the Shotgun House and the creation of the Preservation Resource Center, please send a check to the Santa Monica Conservancy, P.O. Box 653, Santa Monica, CA 90406.

To volunteer, contact the Conservancy by email at info@smconservancy.org or leave a message at 310-496-3146.