A new 300-page policy framework for development along the city’s coastline is heading into its final stages but concerns remain over two key policy areas: parking and short-term rentals like Airbnbs. A March letter from the state’s official authority on beach access, the California Coastal Commission, worries some of Santa Monica’s proposed policies could hurt visitor access.

Parking:

The Coastal Commission is concerned reduced parking standards for new development downtown...

Short term rentals:

Coastal Commission staff is suggesting a require all new hotels provide at least 25 percent of the units as lower cost accommodations, either on-site or at some other property in the coastal zone. If a low-cost hotel is redeveloped, the Coastal Commission says cheap rooms should be replaced at a one-to-one ratio, either on-site or within the coastal zone. Staff also suggests an in-lieu payment option that would go into a city fund.

In addition, the Commission says Santa Monica shouldn’t take Airbnbs completely off the table.

Read More: http://smdp.com/planning-commission-to-review-final-draft-of-coastal-plan/167584