November 15, 2016 -- After a final shuffle of paperwork, the City of Santa Monica is bidding farewell to two of the last affordable apartments along its storied boardwalk.

Late last month, the City approved an occupancy permit to the owner of 10 apartments at 1401 Palisades Beach Road, a move that clears the way for rents to be raised to market value, officials said.

Read More:  http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2016/November-2016/11_15_2016_Affordable_Apartments_Along_Famed_Santa_Monica_Boardwalk_Bid_Farewell.html

Exactly why do 105 Santa Monica City employees, make more than $300,000 a year?

Why do 105 Santa Monica City employees, make more than $300,000 a year? Tune in to the channel 2 News at 11 pm Monday, and find out. Good luck explaining that one, guys. "Small City, Big Pay."

Read More:  http://www.smobserved.com/story/2016/11/12/news/astonishing-pay-of-santa-monica-bureaucrats-attracts-attention-of-cbs-news/2247.html

See More: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqBtMJA_yAY&feature=youtu.be&t=3s

November 14, 2016 -- Santa Monica City Councilmember Kevin McKeown is drafting a compromise to allow public votes on proposed projects that exceed buildings limits, although the proposal's future is unclear in the bitter aftermath of the defeat of slow-growth Measure LV.

The olive branch from McKeown backers of the measure -- which would have required voter approval of most projects taller than 32 feet -- is expected to go to the council at its next meeting, on November 22, he said.

Read More:  http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2016/November-2016/11_14_2016_Development_Combatants_in_Santa_Monica_Consider_Post_Election_Compromise.html

Information and Discussion of the Updates to Technical Standards of

the Seismic Retrofit Provisions of Article VIII of the Santa Monica

Municipal Code and Recommendations to City Council on the

Technical Standards

Read More: Commission Staff Report November 3 2016.pdf

November 9, 2016 -- After failing to follow its own law for years, Santa Monica City officials are banking on a sales-tax infusion from two successful measures on the November 8 ballot meant to, in part, provide more affordable housing.

Santa Monica voters Tuesday approved a half-cent sales tax (bringing it to 10.5 percent) via Measure GSH, which breezed to victory with 63 percent of the “yes” vote.

Voters also passed Measure GS, which advises splitting the $16 million a year raised by GSH equally between local schools and affordable housing, although GS is non binding. It won 70 percent of the vote.

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2016/November-2016/11_09_2016_Santa_Monica_Hoping_Election_Cleared_Way_for_Affordable_Housing.html

 Santa Monica does have a no-smoking law for all multi-unit apartments and condos:

Read More: http://smdp.com/clearing-the-air-in-santa-monicas-apartments-and-condos/158602

As is usually the case, the candidates backed by Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights (SMRR) were the winners in the Rent Control Board election.

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2016/November-2016/11_09_2016_Santa_Monica_Council_Incumbents_Sweep_LV_Loses_Big.html

and

http://smdp.com/early-results-favor-council-incumbents/158612

The City Planning Commission next Wednesday will delve into an analysis that finds that 3.22 million square feet of new floor space could be built downtown through 2030 without exceeding the City’s goal of creating no net increases in peak evening rush-hour trips.

A 2012 study by RCLCO Real Estate Advisors found downtown Santa Monica had the potential to add as many as 2,500 new residential units, 200,000 square feet more of regional retail space, 58,000 square feet of local retail/office space and 1,500 hotel rooms.

Read More: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2016/November-2016/11_08_2016_Santa_Monica_Set_to_Tackle_Downtown_Community_Plan_Again.html

Transparency Project

DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS ARE DECIDED BY A SIMPLE equalitarian equation: one person, one vote. The most votes win, whether for a candidate or a measure. But the price of one vote? Now that’s a very different equation, as the 2016 Santa Monica election makes clear. One vote can be pricey indeed. 

Read More on page 6: http://backissues.smdp.com/110716.pdf

The Consumer Protection Division of the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office and the Rent Control Agency will host a free forum on landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities. The event will be held Dec. 6, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Thelma Terry Center in Virginia Avenue Park, located at 2200 Virginia Avenue in Santa Monica. 

Read More on page 5: http://backissues.smdp.com/110716.pdf