Walk down Ocean Park Boulevard, and you can feel something coming. Development signs announce seven- and eight-story buildings that will tower over local shops and restaurants. Almost 1,000 mostly luxury units. Across Santa Monica, neighbors who love their “Neighborhood Commercial” streets are wondering: Could this be coming to my neighborhood? To Main Street? Pico? Montana Avenue? 

If you aren’t, you should be. Because it can. And it is. A quick check of the City’s development projects shows multiple 8-story buildings across the city, an 11-story on Broadway, and even a 23-story on 7th Street. 23 stories! So much for ’nothing taller than the clock tower.’

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2026/05/sm-a-r-t-column-get-into-the-weeds-with-us/

The interesting thing to note in the article of eight years ago is that incumbents have a much higher chance of re-election than a new name on the ballot…even if the ‘incumbent’ is a recently appointed council ‘newbie’. And history may be close to repeating itself if one current council member chooses to resign and the new ‘hat-in-the-ring’ candidate gets an ‘appointment’. I don’t think I am going to be too surprised, and don’t think ‘you’ should be either.    

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2026/05/sm-a-r-t-column-more-bull-more-b-s/

Unlike the 2024 race that saw Santa Monica's liberal establishment regain control after a historic loss in 2020, the November 3 election for three open seats won't flip the Council majority.

One slate will be headed by Mayor Caroline Torosis, the top vote getter in 2022, and likely won't include fellow incumbent Jesse Zwick, who has indicated he is unlikely to seek a second term.

The rival faction will be headed by Councilmember Lana Negrete, who has been the lone anti-establishment vote on the Council after two of her allies were swept from office two years ago and a third chose not to run.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2026/May-2026/05_04_2026_Council_Race_Taking_Shape.html

Rental assistance is a key part of homelessness prevention for good reason — eviction for nonpayment of rent is driving homelessness across the state, because of high housing costs. A third of the state’s unhoused adults were long-term leaseholders who had been evicted, many for the first time, a recent study by the UC-San Francisco Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative found. 

Read More on page 3: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp_backissues/042926.pdf

The one-hour session, titled “Understanding Turnkey Building,” is scheduled for April 29 from 6 to 7 p.m. PDT and will be conducted via Zoom. Organizers say the event is designed as an informational resource for community members exploring rebuilding options.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2026/04/builders-alliance-to-host-webinar-on-turnkey-construction-for-local-residents/

The Planning Commission is advising the City Council to take a targeted approach to a controversial new State law that allows large housing developments in residential areas near major transit stops.

The recommendations the Council will take up Tuesday focus on "a two-track approach" to implementing SB 79 that adopts a "tailored" interim ordinance, while developing a more comprehensive plan to replace it.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2026/April-2026/04_28_2026_Council_Takes_Up_Plan_to_Implement_Transit_Housing_Bill.html

Negrete joins Mayor Caroline Torosis as two of three incumbents who have declared their candidacy. Councilmember Jesse Zwick has not announced whether he plans to run for one of three open seats.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2026/April-2026/04_28_2026_Negrete_Announces_Bid_for_Reelection.html

The proposed 256-foot skyscraper near the E Line would replace existing rentals with 119 luxury units and five affordable residences.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2026/04/hankey-capital-unveils-23-story-condominium-tower-plans-for-downtown-santa-monica/

Instead, the site should be used for the 3,000-unit affordable housing development SMRR and other pro-housing advocates have been pushing for on the 192-acre site that will become available when the Airport closes at the end of 2028.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2026/April-2026/04_27_2026_SMRR_Asks_Council_to_Study_Housing_at_Airport.html

he Santa Monica Rent Control Board voted unanimously Thursday to advance four proposed amendments to the city's rent control charter toward a public hearing, with commissioners debating the merits of new tenant protections and a revised fee structure they hope to place before voters in November.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-rent-control-board-eyes-ballot-measures-on-tenant-protections-fees/