ACTION Apartment Association

City and developers poised square off over affordable housing requirements

03/20/2017 8:39 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A major question concerning affordable housing in Santa Monica remains unanswered after the Planning Commission reluctantly approved a massive new development on Lincoln Boulevard.

The project is part of a sea of change coming to the stretch of the boulevard between the freeway and the Expo Line. The complex at 1613-1637 Lincoln Boulevard will bring 191 new apartments to the street, replacing the JoAnn Fabrics and old Wertz Brothers Antique Mart. Century West and a subsidiary of USAA Real Estate Company, a national developer based in San Antonio, Texas, are developing the five-story property.

Out of nearly 200 units, the owner of the project has reserved 15 for affordable housing at the lowest income level, 30% of the average medium income. By providing the housing at the lowest possible rent, it meant the developer had to provide fewer affordable units overall.

“I’d like these people to have 30 affordable units or 20 affordable units,” Commissioner Richard McKinnon said at the contentious Wednesday night meeting before reluctantly voting for the project. In the end, only Commissioner Mario Fonda-Barnardi voted against it.

City plans April launch of major planning document

03/20/2017 8:37 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

After two years of public meetings, committee discussions and redrafts, the City will unveil the finished Downtown Community Plan (DCP) Wednesday, April 12, at a public meeting.

That night the Planning and Community Development Department will host an informal event at 6:30 p.m. at Civic Center East Wing to hand out booklets and flash drives containing the plan.

SMa.r.t.- A Six Pack of City Defining Areas

03/17/2017 11:49 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In our built-out city, there are six significant areas of land whose eventual development will have an inordinate impact on Santa Monica’s future. Development of these areas, if left to today’s “market forces” without considering the big picture, may result in in an irretrievably lost opportunity that could distort our city for decades.

Elaine Polachek Announces Plans to Leave the City

03/17/2017 7:40 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

After nearly 27 years with the City of Santa Monica and nine years serving in the City Manager’s Office, Assistant City Manager Elaine Polachek has announced she will leave her post in July.

Cole a Key Player as “New Urbanism” and Fears of Over-Development Clash in Santa Monica

03/16/2017 7:21 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

By Niki Cervantes
Staff Writer

Last in a series

March 15, 2017 -- The Santa Monica of 2030 could be a far cry from its days as an eclectic mix of hipsters and tourists lolled into a mellow state of mind by perpetually sunny skies, swaying palm trees and the glittering views and soothing sea breezes of the Pacific Ocean.

Gridlock on the city’s streets -- a by-product of popularity -- was already shattering what was left of the Santa Monica's original vibe when City officials, proud of their leading-edge reputation, started on a quest almost two decades ago to remake Santa Monica into a role model for “new urbanism.”

5 Things To Know About Renting To Millennials

03/16/2017 7:14 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

By Larry Arth

5 things Millennials look for in housing and landlords need to know

They prefer to live near employment and activities. One large reason they finally moved out from the parents’ home is to cut the time or expense of commuting.
They grew up with gadgets so they seek out the latest amenities. They can afford them and are willing to pay for them. Even my daughter, during a recent move, inquired as to whether the apartment’s floor plan was open enough to allow for a good Wi-Fi signal.
Social space is important, and so is a single-family home or an apartment that offers community space for entertaining guests.
Safety and security such as double locks on doors. Plus, they like apartments in a gated community. (This gated community requirement was a hot button for my daughter and the deciding factor that prompted her to rent.)
Nice kitchens are important. This group tends to eat out less and dine in more, so nice kitchens with nice amenities are a requirement.

"Granny Flats"

03/15/2017 8:00 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

CITY OF SANTA MONICA

Ordinance Numbers 2536 (CCS) (City Council Series) The following ordinance summary was adopted by the City Council at its meeting of February 28, 2017: Ordinance Number 2536 makes minor changes to the City’s zoning code in order to correct inconsistencies and omissions that were inadvertently included during the complex process of adopting a new zoning ordinance as well as other changes related to accessory dwelling units to be consistent with recent changes in state law. This ordinance will become effective thirty days after adoption.

The full text of the ordinance is available from the Office of the City Clerk located at 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, California 90401; phone (310) 458-8211

Read the Notice on page 7: http://backissues.smdp.com/031517.pdf

Reckless Bill to Repeal Limits on Rent-Control will make Housing Crisis Worse

03/15/2017 7:38 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

By Susan Shelley, Columnist and speaker

Talking about repealing Vacancy Decontrol by itself, could reduce the supply of housing.

The Costa-Hawkins Act put statewide limits on the rent-control ordinances that local governments are allowed to enact. The law, passed in 1995, prohibited rent control on newly constructed residential housing starting in 1999. It also guaranteed owners of rent-controlled buildings the right to raise the rent to market rate for new tenants when former tenants moved out voluntarily.

Repealing Costa-Hawkins would allow local governments everywhere in California to enact new rent-control laws on any type of rental property, even your own home or condo, if you chose to rent it.

Critics Zero in on Santa Monica City Manager's Spending Priorities

03/14/2017 3:17 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

March 14, 2017 -- Arriving in Santa Monica in June 2015, City Manager Rick Cole pledged to provide transparency, connect with a community divided over crucial issues like development and use the innovation and practices of good governance for which he was already reputed.

“I found it outrageous that as one of his first moves as City Manager, Cole hired himself not one but five new PR people,” said Tricia Crane, a board member of Northeast Neighbors, a neighborhood association that Cole met and spoke with in January.

Commissioners scrutinize 3.5 acre apartment complex coming to Lincoln Boulevard

03/14/2017 8:06 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The developers of a 3.5 acre apartment complex on Lincoln Boulevard will have another go-around with the Planning Commission Wednesday in an effort to get one of the largest projects on the Boulevard underway.

“It’s a policy concern,” Rand said when Commissioner Mario Fonda-Bonardi complained about the number of affordable units. “You guys adopted an ordinance. It’s a zoning ordinance that gives the applicant the option to choose one of the options in the code.”

“If there’s buyer’s remorse over the ordinance, then this body as a policy-making body should look into that…compliance is the only standard that’s required (of us).”