“At the end of the day, the argument that [the gallery] is resident-serving is thin,” Commissioner Rob Zur Schmiede said. “There is a small amount of objective criteria and a large amount of subjective criteria.”
Gallery owner Peter Blake is credited with raising the bar for quality art in Laguna.
Blake’s architect, Anders Lasater, claimed the renaissance of Gallery Row in North Laguna and the success of the First Thursdays Art Walk are attributed to Blake.
The move is expected to energize Ocean Avenue.
Blake said he would never have thought of leaving his gallery’s home of 15 years if not for a huge rent increase.
“I think this will bring other galleries [to Ocean Avenue],” commission Chairman Norm Grossman said. “But I don’t want to play the game we played with the Diane Nelson Gallery.”
Nelson was approved for a framing and consultation service at the site. The commission stipulated that no art was to be displayed, but the City Council overturned the condition. The business became a de facto gallery, later replaced by a beauty supply businesses, which was patronized by locals.
City staff recommended approval of the Blake relocation, but proposed a 10% limit on retail sales, based on income, to ensure that the use remains resident-serving and not evolve into solely an art gallery. Commissioners rejected the condition.
“The only way you could enforce that would be to audit the books,” Commissioner Bob Whalen said.
Resident-serving?
Commissioner Linda Dietrich, who formerly served on the Arts Commission, said the condition was not necessary because the gallery is resident-serving.
“What are the criteria for future resident-serving galleries?” Whalen said.
