ACTION Apartment Association

Planning Commission supports eliminating downtown development agreements

05/21/2020 2:24 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Development agreements for housing projects in downtown Santa Monica could soon be a thing of the past.

The Planning Commission voted 5-2 Wednesday to recommend that City Council to eliminate development agreements for downtown housing projects larger than 90,000 square feet and process such projects through a simpler development review permit.

Large housing projects would still go through public planning and design review hearings, Lambert added. Although the future of the Architectural Review Board is up in the air because of the city’s budget crisis, the Planning Commission will recommend that City Council maintain a public design review process for major projects.

Community Corp. to build 48 affordable apartments

05/20/2020 10:40 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica’s largest affordable housing developer is planning to construct 48 apartments on Pico Boulevard across the street from Santa Monica College.

Community Corporation of Santa Monica plans to demolish a church at 1819 Pico Blvd. to construct a four-story building for low-income renters. In addition to apartments, the 46-foot-tall building will house a food hall and community room on its ground floor, according to an Architectural Review Board report. Community Corp. plans to include 49 underground parking spaces and 109 bicycle stalls in the project.

Santa Monica Continues District Election Appeal Despite Budget Deficit

05/20/2020 10:05 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City of Santa Monica, facing a $224 million budget deficit, continues to appeal a court ruling mandating district elections–spending by some estimates over $10 million– saying that there are no further legal costs, a claim a lawyer for the plaintiffs describes as “disingenuous”.

City Launches New Section of SantaMonica.gov Focused on Economic Recovery and Community Resources

05/20/2020 10:03 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Today, the City of Santa Monica launched a new Economic Recovery section on its website santamonica.gov featuring a community survey and “Santa Monica Cares” business toolkit to aid the community with restarting the economy after the devastating impacts of COVID-19. The new web pages will serve as a hub for community and business-related information throughout the Santa Monica recovery effort.

Rent Board Sets Annual Adjustment, Explores Freeze

05/20/2020 8:15 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Santa Monica Rent Control Board asked staff on Thursday to explore the possibility of a rent freeze before voting to allow landlords to increase rents by 1.4 percent next month.

The proposed increase -- which will likely be capped at $32 per month for rents of $2,250 and higher -- is based on a calculation called for in the rent control charter.

The Board is scheduled to finalize the rent adjustments at it June 11 meeting.

Emergency Rule Suspending Evictions Ripe for Abuse

05/20/2020 8:10 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A major property rights advocacy firm is seeking the repeal of an emergency rule suspending evictions in California, claiming it "creates the perverse incentive" for all tenants to refuse to pay rent.

The Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF), one of the nation's most powerful public interest law firms, contends that the rule issued on April 6 by the Judicial Council of California is ripe for abuse.

The order issued by the the rule-making arm of the California court system is meant to protect tenants during the coronavirus emergency by barring landlord's from initiating unlawful detainer actions.

Rent increases for rent-controlled apartments capped at 1.4%

05/18/2020 1:55 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Rent increases for rent-controlled apartments in Santa Monica will be limited to 1.4% this year and the Rent Control Board could approve a maximum monthly increase of $32 for renters who pay $2,250 or more in rent.

The proposed rent adjustment, which will go into effect Sept. 1, is slightly less than last year’s 2% increase and $44 cap. The percentage increase the board approves each year is determined by a formula in the city charter, but the board may also choose to set a dollar increase cap based on a separate formula. The Rent Control Board will vote on the dollar increase next month.

LETTERS -- Enough Already with the Edicts

05/18/2020 1:51 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Dear Editor,

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti recently issued an order that escalated his coronvirus mask edicts to require a mask be worn outdoors.

This was quickly followed by a similar edict for Santa Monica residents ("Santa Monica Orders Residents to Wear Face Coverings Outdoors," May 14, 2020).

We are constantly told by our political leaders that they make these authoritarian decisions "based on the science."

Yet, they do not cite a single scientific study that concludes the virus is readily transmissible in a brief outdoor encounter -- let alone in a beach city such as Santa Monica where there is virtually a continuous ocean breeze.

Billions in cuts proposed as California revenue plunges

05/15/2020 9:12 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Reflecting the financial hit California is already seeing from the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday proposed cutting $6.1 billion from a variety of programs in a state budget he says prioritizes education, health and safety.

Newsom’s 2020-2021 budget estimates unemployment will climb to nearly 25 percent and overall tax revenues will drop by about a quarter, he said. It also calls for a 10% pay cut for all state workers.

Planning Commission to consider doing away with downtown development agreements

05/15/2020 9:09 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The city of Santa Monica could streamline the approval process for large housing projects downtown as part of ongoing efforts to fulfill a state mandate for the city to accommodate about 9,000 new homes by 2029.

The Planning Commission voted 4-2 Wednesday to consider recommending that downtown developments larger than 90,000 square feet be subject to a development review permit rather than a development agreement. The commission will vote whether to recommend the proposal to City Council next week.