ACTION Apartment Association

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

Licensing

Only 10% down/$1,000 max

Follow the Money – Local Ballot Measures

09/12/2016 8:36 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

By Guest Author [Mary Marlow, a member of the Santa Monica Transparency Project] on September 12, 2016

Five ballot measures qualified for inclusion in the November 8, 2016 Santa Monica election. Money and political endorsements now gravitate to both sides of each measure as local elected officials, prominent residents, members of advocacy groups, political organizations and specifically targeted political action committees (PACs) – which have no limits on financial contributions – all battle to sway public opinion and garner votes. In this article and a follow-on next week, here is the field of play:

pinion

OpEd: SMa.r.t. on The Soul of Wilshire Boulevard

09/09/2016 12:45 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

I was surprised to read an article recently that stated Wilshire Boulevard was in desperate need of height and density.

Santa Monica Sued by Airbnb

09/07/2016 10:07 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

September 7, 2016 -- Nearly 15 months after imposing some of the nation’s toughest limits on booming short-term vacation rentals, City of Santa Monica officials were served Tuesday with litigation by Airbnb alleging multiple violations of federal law.

DANCE TO DEVELOPMENT By Charles Andrews

09/07/2016 7:23 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

We are already jammed, we have so much in the pipeline, we have limited resources (especially water), our traffic is rapidly grinding to a standstill, we have a light rail now so those who work or play in Santa Monica don’t have to live here. And yet the chorus rises up from throats paid to sing — We need more!

Repeat Santa Monica Council Candidates Struggle for Victory

09/06/2016 10:07 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

September 6, 2016 -- Of the six challengers seeking a seat on the Santa Monica City Council this fall, three have run before. The large number of repeat candidates is not unusual in this city, although the success rate is not high.

In the past two decades, 20 candidates who were not elected incumbents have sought council seats after losing in a previous election--several doing it more than once. Just five have won.