ACTION Apartment Association

Downtown’s housing conundrum

04/16/2016 8:25 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Our recently adopted City Zoning Ordinance envisions adding dense new housing in the downtown area. We can now see how well that housing goal is being met. What is undoubtedly true is that recent housing approvals have been massive. In the past nine months the Planning Commission has permitted four large downtown mixed-use projects

City Could Sell Santa Monica Trailer Park

04/15/2016 8:41 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

April 14, 2016 -- Nearly 16 years after the Santa Monica government purchased the Mountain View Mobile Home Park to settle a legal dispute, the City is looking for a new buyer of the 4.8-acre property with 105 rent-controlled lots.

LA Area Rental Prices to Continue Soaring, Report Predicts

04/15/2016 8:39 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

April 14, 2016 -- Santa Monica is already part of the most expensive rental market in the country, and rents are expected to continue rising in the Los Angeles area through 2018, according to two studies released this week.

Planning for our Future [Rick Cole and David Martin]

04/14/2016 8:22 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

It will come as no surprise to anyone reading this that land use planning is a hot topic in Santa Monica. Despite the ongoing debates, much progress has been made toward establishing clear rules to govern future development. We are at an important crossroads to find common ground and shape consensus for the future instead of fighting over individual developments because of scars left by controversial projects many argue do not reflect our community’s overall vision.

Sterlings Sued for Drop Cloth in Santa Monica Apartment Building

04/14/2016 8:17 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Donald Sterling and his wife were sued today by a woman who says she slipped and fell on loose drop-cloths laid on a laminate floor at a Santa Monica apartment building they own.

What if the landlord won’t accept my rent?

04/13/2016 7:49 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

California law says rent payments are generally governed by the lease agreement between the landlord and tenant, whether it’s written or oral. However, in some cases, the landlord is allowed to change the method or delivery of rent if the tenant is given 30 days notice in writing (60 days for rent increases greater than 10 percent).

City sued over at-large election policy

04/13/2016 7:46 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica and Malibu activists have filed a lawsuit against the City of Santa Monica to try to force the city to move to district-based elections.

Santa Monica Slow-Growth Group Extends Petition Deadline

04/08/2016 8:50 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Volunteers for Residocracy will continue collecting signatures until the end of the month for the proposed Land Use Voter Empowerment initiative – or LUVE -- it hopes to place on the November ballot, said Armen Melkonians, who heads the group.

Council asked to act on tenant protections

04/07/2016 7:58 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A dense consent calendar will give way to a pair of substantive issues at the April 12 council meeting.

City Hall has spent the past 20 years debating tenant protections and the longstanding tradition debating how to protect renters will continue this week with a recommendation to revise municipal code and hire a new staff position dedicated to aid with tenant relocation.

Upcoming elections – development No. 1 issue [Bill Bauer]

04/04/2016 7:27 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

With an election coming in eight months, the question is whether the local political powerhouse Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights (SMRR) will be able to maintain its grip for a fourth decade. The venerable renters’ rights organization must walk a tightrope between slow growth or accelerated development.