ACTION Apartment Association

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.

SMCLC Demands City of SM Halt Processing of 18 Development Applications by NMS

12/09/2016 12:38 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City has just confirmed to us that NMS has 18(eighteen) pending Santa Monica projects, 15 in our Downtown, that have not yet been approved. And we understand that NMS has additional sites in Santa Monica that will likely lead to even more NMS development applications.

OpEd: SM.a.r.t: Money and Energy in Santa Monica

12/09/2016 12:31 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Now the City is embarking on a new experiment: the new City Services building, to be constructed on a narrow lot behind City Hall. The costs of the project have increased to new highs for municipal support buildings. The City expects the 50,000 square-foot building to cost nearly $85 million, or about $1,700 per square foot.

Lawrence Picked as Santa Monica Interim City Attorney

12/09/2016 12:23 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

December 9, 2016 -- While the City Council searches for the first new head of Santa Monica’s legal department in more than 20 years, longtime Assistant City Attorney Joseph Lawrence will fill that role on an interim basis beginning December 31.

Santa Monica Council Orders Review of NMS Holdings

12/08/2016 11:16 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

December 8, 2016 -- The City Council on Tuesday ordered a review of Santa Monica ’s dealings with its largest local housing developer after a judge found evidence of wrongdoing during a recent contract dispute with a Boston developer.

The motion, which was unanimously approved, asks staff to verify the information that NMS Properties, led by developer Neil Shekhter, and all related entities provide in agreements to build and operate housing in Santa Monica.

Santa Monica City Council Reconsiders Public Vote on Development

12/08/2016 11:14 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

December 8, 2016 -- Trying to mend fences after the defeat of a contentious slow-growth measure in November’s election, the Santa Monica City Council on Tuesday ordered staff to study giving voters final say on major development proposals or requiring a council super majority for approval.

The council, whose members generally opposed Measure LV as too restrictive, “won the battle” in seeing it solidly rejected by voters, said Council Member Kevin McKeown.

But the only way to “win the war” over development in Santa Monica is to start a “conversation” with those who supported the initiative, he said.

City says thousands of apartments vulnerable to earthquake damage

12/08/2016 8:43 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In January, staff members will publish the list of buildings they consider “seismically vulnerable.” Once the building’s owners are notified of the city’s concern, they will have a strict timeline to get their building inspected and then fix any problems.