ACTION Apartment Association

Big changes coming to Lincoln Boulevard

12/19/2016 7:53 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Hundreds of new apartment units are poised to appear along Lincoln Boulevard in the coming years, as the city green-lights developments near the new Expo Light Rail Station.

AND

http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2016/December-2016/12_19_2016_Commission_Grants_Further_Approvals_for_Lincoln_Mixed_Use_Development.html

OpEd: SM.a.r.t: Santa Monica’s Path to Net Zero

12/16/2016 12:01 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City Council recently voted to accelerate Santa Monica’s adoption of the State’s new “Net Zero Energy” policy (NZE.)

The path to get there, however, should not be focused on the residents that are already doing their part and do not have as large an impact due to their smaller energy “footprint”.

New mayor sees divided city

12/15/2016 10:13 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The housing issue directly plays into development challenges the city will face while finalizing the Downtown Community Plan, or DCP. Right now, strategic planners with the city are crunching the numbers, trying to figure out how high new apartment buildings need to go in order to reach goals for increasing the city’s housing stock. The Planning Commission is still divided over how to balance affordability and live-ability in the city, as residents complain traffic congestion is at an all-time high.

Downtown Community Plan approaches final stage

12/14/2016 10:17 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

City planners are hammering out the final draft of the Downtown Community Plan, or DCP: the comprehensive document that will guide development in downtown Santa Monica for the next 20 years.

While most new development in the district will stay relatively low, the Commission is still split on just how high to allow three major development projects: The Miramar Hotel, the Frank Gehry hotel at Ocean Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard and the city-owned development at 4th Street and Arizona.

Help – I’m Being Evicted!

12/14/2016 10:16 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

By ANDREA CAVANAUGH, a Consumer Specialist with the City Attorney’s office.

Cristina rented her Santa Monica apartment about ten years ago. A new owner recently bought the building. She started getting a lot of three-day notices to correct problems, even though the prior owner never had any issues with her.

Meet Your New Mayor: Ted Winterer

12/14/2016 10:12 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

At its special meeting Tuesday, December 13, Santa Monica City Council unanimously voted to select Ted Winterer as Santa Monica’s next mayor and Gleam Davis as mayor pro tempore.

AND

http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2016/December-2016/12_14_2016_Council_Member_Ted_Winterer_Chosen_as_Santa_Monica_Mayor.html

City Council exploring new hurdles for big developments

12/12/2016 1:18 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Following the defeat of Measure LV in November, the City Council is continuing to look into ways to abate large development projects in Santa Monica, either by requiring voter approval or a City Council super-majority vote for projects that exceed the general plan or zoning code.

“I’ve been at this a long time and development has always been a contentious issue in Santa Monica,” Councilmember Kevin McKeown said, who introduced a motion Tuesday for staff to look into the two options. “Some people think that they won the battle but I want to end the war.

Local developer faces city scrutiny amid fraud scandal

12/12/2016 1:17 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica’s largest residential property owner has filed a lawsuit against a Boston-based hedge fund, alleging AEW attempted a “hostile takeover” of seven of their properties in the city and two others in Los Angeles County.

The suit is the latest battle in a legal war that has waged between NMS Properties and AEW over a joint venture to finance 9 properties in Southern California.

City to Review Agreements With Shekhter/NMS

12/12/2016 1:11 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

"We are told that next week's City Council Agenda 13C, reads: "Request of Councilmembers McKeown and Himmelrich that Council, in light of recent news coverage and Superior Court action, direct staff to review all existing and pending agreements with Neil Shekhter, NMS, and associated entities, verifying information provided as part of such agreements, and attempting to ensure that the municipal corporation, residents/taxpayers, and occupants of NMS buildings are fully protected from possible misstatements and their consequences."

Santa Monica Backs County Sales Tax for Homeless Services

12/12/2016 1:06 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

December 12, 2016 -- Ballot-weary Santa Monica voters will return to the polls for a rare March election to determine the fate of yet another tax measure.

The quarter-cent tax measure -- which would generate about $355 million per year for its proposed 10-year lifetime -- was placed on the ballot last week by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to fund homeless services.