§ 16.52.310. The Farmers and Merchants Bank Office Tower.

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2.63 and with the recommendation of the Planning Commission, the City Council designates the following building as an historical landmark in the City: The Farmers and Merchants Bank Office Tower.

A.

Location, Description and Reasons for Designation. Located at 320 Pine Avenue in the City of Long Beach, the Farmers and Merchants Bank Office Tower is a ten-story steel and terra cotta structure, designed by Curlett and Beelman and built in 1923 by the McNeil Construction Co. The structure was the City's first "skyscraper" and introduced the modern era of building design to the City. The building is characterized by classic detail along the top floor and along the second floor in the form of urns, scrollwork and a shell pattern. Many locally prominent attorneys, physicians and other professionals occupied offices in the bank tower, including two (2) of Long Beach's Mayors.

B.

General guidelines and standards for any changes. The "Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings" prepared by the Secretary of the Interior (February, 1978), as amended, are incorporated by reference, and the following additional guidelines and standards as recommended by the Cultural Heritage Committee are adopted:

Any alterations, modifications or repair of the above structure shall be done so in keeping with its historic character.

No environmental changes shall be allowed unless a certificate of appropriateness has been applied for and approved by the Cultural Heritage Committee or by the City Planning Commission, upon appeal, authorizing such environmental changes.

(Ord. C-6547 § 1, 1988)