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Santa Monica Assemblyman's "Granny Flats" Bill Signed into Law

09/28/2016 2:33 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

September 28, 2016 -- A bill sponsored by Santa Monica Assemblyman Richard Bloom that will make second units, commonly known as "granny flats," easier to build was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown on Monday.

City Attorney Marsha Moutrie Announces End-of-Year Retirement

09/25/2016 10:09 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica City Attorney Marsha Moutrie publically announced that she will be retiring at the end of the year.

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http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2016/September-2016/09_26_2016_Santa_Monica_City_Attorney_Announces_Retirement.html

City Proposes Santa Monica Rent Assistance Program

09/23/2016 11:24 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

September 23, 2016 -- Santa Monica residents most in need of assistance to afford their monthly rent could soon get help from the local government with a proposed pilot program.

Details of the program titled Preserving Our Diversity (POD) are still being finalized, but a report to the council says it would assist “extremely low-income residents” and “mitigate economic displacement by reducing household rent burden and achieving a feasible level of affordability.”

Clueless In Santa Monica

09/23/2016 11:06 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

SM.a.r.t has been watching closely both sides of Measure LV, which is on the November ballot in Santa Monica. The majority of “vested interests” in Santa Monica have uniformly decided to oppose the measure, including an organization entitled Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE.) They recently declared opposition to the Land Use Voter Empowerment Measure (LV), holding a public forum Thursday Sept. 15, citing concerns that the measure would unduly burden low-income people.

Having examined the group’s fact sheet, SM.ar.t. believes it reflects more fiction than fact.

Another Step This Week in Transformation of Santa Monicas Lincoln Boulevard

09/20/2016 12:21 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

September 20, 2016 -- Moving from Santa Monica’s backlog of proposed developments, a project to replace the now vacant site of Aaron Brothers Art and Framing on Lincoln Boulevard with a five-story mixed-use apartment complex heads to the Planning Commission on Wednesday. Included are five “affordable” units ...

Santa Monica Coalition Endorses Slow Growth Initiative

09/20/2016 12:18 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) voted to support Measure LV, bucking a city political establishment that strongly opposes the initiative –- and includes some elected officials who have been coalition allies.

OpEd: S.M.A.R.t Macro Problems and Micro Planning Put City’s Future At Risk

09/19/2016 8:35 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

For example, it would seem that good planning would reduce rather than increase the number of permanent cars in the Downtown area. Actually, the opposite is the case. Of the 55 Development Agreements in the pipeline, about two-thirds of those pending or approved are slated for Downtown and two-thirds of those will be on Lincoln Boulevard.

These new projects will require parking for around 8,560 new cars – almost as much as currently exists in all of the City’s 14 lots – 8,683 cars.

Tenant privacy protections passed!

09/15/2016 10:18 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Governor Jerry Brown just signed AB 2819* to protect the privacy, credit, and reputation of tenants who are involved in eviction lawsuits.

NMS Developers Have Bought Six of Seven City Council Members

09/14/2016 11:32 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

By Armen Melkonians, City Council Candidate

I can't recall a single project proposed by developer NMS that was not approved by our city staff or our City Council.

How to avoid the contractor blues. By Gary Rhoades, Deputy City Attorney

09/14/2016 11:18 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Not all contractors are fair or honest. But there are things you can do to protect your rights:
Three bids

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