With the future of downtown Santa Monica’s skyline up for debate, development groups, architects and business advocates are pushing for more height and greater density in the Downtown Community Plan (DCP). The City document will dictate development standards, fees and affordable housing requirements for the next two decades.

The plan aims to create a predictable process for new projects to encourage more housing between Interstate 10 and Wilshire Boulevard. The City claims the plan will bring thousands of new apartment units to the downtown area over the next twenty years in an effort to curb the region’s housing crisis.

The plan allows buildings up to 84 feet (approximately seven stories) near the Expo Line but limits much of downtown’s other areas to 60 feet (four or five stories).   Current zoning allows buildings up to 84 feet throughout the area.

The Planning Commission will vote on the plan at the end of the month before it heads to the City Council for more debate this summer.

Read More: http://smdp.com/developers-architects-and-chamber-fight-to-change-downtown-community-plan/160952