ACTION Apartment Association

Santa Monica politics upended by pandemic

12/20/2020 8:52 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Many of the forces that have shaken America in 2020 — the pandemic, a sharp economic downturn, rising inequities and the protests fueled by the killing of George Floyd — are also upending politics in Santa Monica.

States grapple with next steps on evictions as crisis grows

12/18/2020 9:44 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

About one-third of U.S. households say they’re behind on rent or mortgage payments and likely to face eviction or foreclosure in the next two months, according to data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Eyes are on congressional leaders who are closing in on a massive COVID-19 relief package, including an extension of the federal eviction moratorium until February and $25 billion in rental assistance as well as a new round of stimulus checks, bonus unemployment benefits and many other efforts to deliver aid.

How Many Renters Face Eviction when the Eviction Bans End?

12/17/2020 8:43 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

About 44 million households (107 million people) rent their home: 33% a single-family house; 62% an apartment; and 4% a mobile home. Even before the Pandemic, a large number of renters paid their rent late, or made partial payments, or were a month or more behind and faced evictions. That’s the business of being a landlord, even during the Good Times. But how much worse is it now, on the eve of the expiration of the CDC eviction ban?

Apartment Owners Sue City Over Leasing Requirements

12/17/2020 8:27 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The owners of 32 apartment buildings and projects in Santa Monica filed a lawsuit in federal court Monday challenging the City's new restrictions on residential leases.

The ordinance adopted September 8 -- which requires leases to be at least one year -- violates the constitutional rights of both landlords and tenants, the plaintiffs' attorneys said.

New Council Kills Plaza Project

12/16/2020 8:09 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

More than seven years of negotiations on The Plaza project ended Tuesday after three newly-elected City Council members cast their first significant vote.

Councilmembers Phil Brock, Oscar de la Torre and Christine Parra joined Mayor Sue Himmelrich in a 4-3 vote that killed the proposed 357,000-square-foot mixed-use hotel development on City owned land Downtown.

Dilg to Leave City Manager Post

12/15/2020 8:15 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Interim City Manager Lane Dilg -- who has steered the City through the coronavirus pandemic -- announced she would leave her post next spring, City officials announced Monday evening.

The announcement came shortly after Dilg, who previously served as City Attorney, told the City Council and staff that her family will relocate for public service outside of Santa Monica.

Neighboring Condo Residents File Lawsuit to Halt Miramar Project

12/15/2020 8:14 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Residents of an oceanfront condominium tower have filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the redevelopment of the neighboring Miramar Hotel approved by the City Council in September.

The lawsuit filed last week contends that the 502,157-square-foot project at 101 Wilshire Boulevard violates the coastal land use plan (LUP)), the Downtown Community Plan (DCP) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Venice Boardwalk Development Passes Hurdle

12/14/2020 8:57 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A proposal to build a three-story, mixed-use development on Venice Boardwalk recently passed a hurdle in the planning process.

Santa Monica Under SCAG’s Boot

12/14/2020 8:55 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

As most of you know the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is now forcing Santa Monica to permit 8873 new housing units (of which about 6000 need to be affordable) in the next 8 years (2022-2029). Buttressed by all kinds of interlocking laws and severe financial penalties, SCAG is coercing the City to accept this constitutionally illegal unfunded mandate.

Former Santa Monica Mayor Bob Holbrook Is Dead at 79

12/14/2020 8:15 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Former Santa Monica Mayor Bob Holbrook -- whose love for his native city steered his positions during a record 24 years on the City Council -- died on Friday after a long illness. He was 79.

Holbrook was long viewed as an independent voice on a Council sometimes prone to ideological pronouncements, serving as an elder statesman whose pragmatic approach was reflected in his campaign slogan -- "the voice of reason."