ACTION Apartment Association

City moves forward with plan to build affordable housing on three city-owned sites

03/21/2024 11:21 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The proposed projects, which ultimately will come back for final approval by the City Council, include approximately 130 units on three city-owned properties at 1217 Euclid Street, 1211-1217 14th Street and 1146 16th Street, in line with the city’s approved Housing Element.

Once built, the projects would serve individuals and families making anywhere from 30 to 80 percent of the Area Median Income, as well as people experiencing homelessness.

$2M to Bolster Safety on Lincoln Blvd., Improve Affordable Housing Access

03/21/2024 11:18 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Nearly $2 million will go toward additional safety features in neighborhoods along Lincoln Blvd. and enhancing two Santa Monica affordable housing programs after Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA 36th District) secured the federal funds, the congressman announced.

Santa Monica Should Not Give Special Treatment to Local 11

03/21/2024 10:07 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Why should the City of Santa Monica prioritize a labor union that's not based in the city, over peace and quiet for local taxpayers whose lives are disrupted by the union's antics?

Unlike Winterer's questions, this one is not rhetorical and the answer is clear: Santa Monica should not give special treatment to Local 11, which has only sought to make the city a less-attractive place to live and visit.

Are Emails Sent to the Santa Monica City Councilmembers Being Diverted - Or Possibly Deleted?

03/20/2024 12:02 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

John Alle, Special to the Observer

It is my understanding that over 18,000 letters sent over the last 6 months to individual Councilmembers and our Mayor have not been received. One Santa Monica Councilmember informed me and another constituent of such, and stated there was a so-called "black hole" in which constituent letters were placed. The same Councilmember told me that letters expressing opposition to the ongoing Needle Distribution Program had never been received.

L.A. County approves regulations for short-term rentals

03/20/2024 7:38 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors gave final approval Tuesday to regulations for operating short-term rentals in unincorporated areas.

Under the new rules, hosts with Airbnb or Vacation Rentals By Owner, VRBO, will be required to register and pay a fee of $914 on an annual basis.

The county rules also restrict short-term rentals to a host's primary residence -- prohibiting the use of accessory dwelling units, rent-restricted primary residences and vacation rentals for short-term rental use.

Land Reparations, Needles and Noise on Council Agenda

03/19/2024 9:00 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Tuesday's agenda also includes items that would express disapproval of LA's needle exchange program in Santa Monica parks and make minor changes to the noise ordinance.

An item placed on the agenda by Mayor Phil Brock, Negrete and Parra asks staff to draft a resolution that "should reflect the City’s opposition to the program in Santa Monica, as it is misguided and does not achieve the goal of reducing harm.

"The program encourages continued use of illegal and dangerous drugs, and people are dying as a result," according to the item.

LA County Board of Supervisors Expected to OK Rules for Short-Term Rentals

03/19/2024 8:22 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is scheduled Tuesday to give final approval to regulations for operating on short-term rentals in unincorporated areas.

Under the new rules, hosts with Airbnb or Vacation Rentals By Owner, VRBO, would be required to register and pay a fee of $914 on an annual basis.

Lawsuits undermine Neil Shekhter’s once grand real estate empire

03/18/2024 12:40 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Neil Shekhter, who was once the city’s most prolific and controversial developer, has lost control over another three local properties as part of an ongoing inability to repay bank loans.

Real estate settlement upends policies that helped set agent commissions

03/18/2024 12:37 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

As part of the settlement, the NAR agreed to no longer require a broker advertising a home for sale on MLS to offer any upfront compensation to a buyer’s agent. The rule change leaves it open for individual home sellers to negotiate such offers with a buyer’s agent outside of the MLS platforms, though the home seller’s broker has to disclose any such compensation arrangements.

First candidate declares run for City Council

03/18/2024 12:34 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Dan Hall is the first person to formally declare their intent to run for City Council in this year’s election.

Four seats will be up for election in November, all currently occupied by incumbents (including Gleam Davis, Phil Brock, Oscar de la Torre and Christine Parra). Hall is the first person to publicly announce an intent to run but formal paperwork to become a candidate won’t be available for several months.