September 22, 2105 -- Trying to find housing in Santa Monica has become difficult for families making less than $75,000 a year, one of many challenging statistics that the City’s Housing Commission will grapple with Saturday.

Read More: 

http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2015/Sept-2015/09_22_2015_Affordable_Housing_Shortage%20in_Santa_Monica_Subject_of_Special_Hearing.html

A proposal for another new, big and ugly apartment building was approved by the planning commission Wednesday night. 1601 Lincoln Boulevard, formerly the location of Norm’s ...

Read More: http://smdp.com/monstrosity-coming-lincoln-boulevard/150882

September 21, 2015 -- The ongoing dispute about the remodeling of the rent-controlled home in Ocean Park occupied by former Santa Monica mayor Mike Feinstein will continue for at least a few more weeks.

Read More:  http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2015/Sept-2015/09_21_2015_Commission_Delays_Decision_on_Former_Santa_Monica_Mayors_Home.html

The planning commission has approved a development agreement for a new mixed-use building at the former Norm’s location (1601 Lincoln Boulevard).

Read More on page 1: http://smdp_backissues.s3.amazonaws.com/091915.pdf

September 18, 2015
 -- Although some members called for changes to the proposal, the majority of the Santa Monica Planning Commission on Wednesday endorsed a 78,000-square-foot mixed-use proposal for the former Norms Restaurant site on Lincoln Boulevard off Colorado Avenue.

Read More:  http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2015/Sept-2015/09_18_2015_Norms_Replacement_Project_Gets_Santa_Monica_Planning_Commission_Nod.html

September 17, 2017 -- An online slow-growth group on Wednesday posted a proposed initiative to require a public vote before Santa Monica development agreements can be approved.

Read More:  http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2015/Sept-2015/09_17_2015_Santa_Monica_Slow_Growth_Group_Launches_Petition_Drive.html

And See: http://smdp.com/activists-anti-development-ballot-measure/150814

The Santa Monica community is invited to the Housing Commission's next two meetings: the regular meeting Thursday, Sept. 20 at 4:30 pm and a special meeting Saturday, Sept. 26 from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. 

Read More: http://www.smmirror.com/articles/News/Discuss-the-Future-of-Affordable-Housing-in-Santa-Monica/44180

September 15, 2015 -- An agreement between the California Legislature and the state Department of Finance could mean millions of dollars will be released to cities like Santa Monica that lost huge sums after the state abolished local redevelopment agencies, a local assembly member said.

Read More:  http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2015/Sept-2015/09_15_2015_Santa_Monica,_Could_Recover_Some_Redevelopment_Funds%20_Assembly%20Member_Says.html

We’ve been hearing for years about the coming City Hall fiscal “bomb” when the cost of retirement packages employee benefits and rapidly rising health care costs will outstrip revenues.

Read More: http://smdp.com/city-halls-expensive-pr-machine/150709

Water wasters will get a break on initial fines this year thanks to an update to Santa Monica’s water shortage response plan.

Read More: http://smdp.com/council-revises-water-waster-fines/150703