ACTION Apartment Association

SM.a.r.t Column: Can California ARBs Balance Affordable Housing with Community Character

03/18/2024 12:24 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

By suggestion, I attended the March 4th ARB (Architectural Review Board) meeting that addressed the Gelson Lincoln Boulevard Project. After the session, I came away with thoughts about the process that the state has initiated and has seemingly tied the hands of our ARB. Particularly the ability to provide professional guidance within the ARB member’s capabilities. This meeting highlighted how California municipalities face a pressing (affordable) housing crisis, and state lawmakers took action to increase housing production, though seemingly not with providing affordability as a guiding light.

WORLD PREMIER OF URGENT SANTA MONICA DOCUMENTARY

03/15/2024 9:06 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

See the Santa Monica portion at: https://youtu.be/x1TNe7A8yiA

See the full documentary at: https://dailycaller.com/stream/lawless/

Two Santa Monicas in Numbers

03/12/2024 9:31 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

We do not have a homeless crisis in Santa Monica. We have an enforcement problem, a transient addict problem, and a mental illness crisis that won't be solved by apartments

Beverly Hills Residents Up In Arms Over Judge's Order To Build Affordable Housing Inside City Limits

03/12/2024 9:30 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Builder's Remedy is the other, even more drastic, enforcement provision of the 2017 amendment to the HAA. It prevents the Beverly Hills government from vetoing or rejecting any proposed multifamily housing project as punishment for the city's failure to submit an affordable housing plan that meets the California state government approval.

It means Beverly Hills is almost powerless to stop new developers from proposing new multifamily construction that reserves a minimum of 20% of its total units for affordable housing. To date, at least 14 new developments, almost all of which would be multistory buildings, have been proposed. Builders would theoretically be free to keep making these proposals until Beverly Hills hits a state-mandated target of 2,328 affordable units in the next eight years.

Two Top City Officials Cancel Vienna Housing Trip

03/12/2024 9:12 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

City Manager David White and Planning Director David Martin canceled their planned study trips, which charge a $7,800 registration fee for each participant that does not include air fare or hotel accommodations.

Councilmembers Gleam Davis and Caroline Torosis will attend the study trip using their travel funds and stipends to cover the cost ("Council Authorizes Funds for Trip to Vienna," February 15, 2024).

What you need to know about housing and corporate landlords

03/11/2024 12:54 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

by CalMatters

Some of the state’s most powerful legislators want Big Landlord out of California’s single family neighborhoods. The Legislature will consider at least three bills this year to keep so-called institutional investors from gobbling up too many of the state’s widely coveted single-family homes.

S.M.a.r.t Column: On the Need for Safety

03/11/2024 12:43 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Those who keep abreast of the city’s crime reports, whether through traditional media outlets or official announcements, recognize that this issue transcends the boundaries of Santa Monica. It is a pervasive problem, affecting communities regionally, statewide, and even nationally. Despite these broader implications, we look to our local leaders to come up with effective solutions. While commendable efforts have been made, such as the expansion of the police force, heightened patrols, and the engagement of private security, an increasing number of residents are directly experiencing the effects of crime, which inexorably chips away at our sense of safety.

Our Community Already Pays the Highest Taxes in the Nation. So Why is the School District Appealing for Funds?

03/07/2024 11:17 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

by Houman David Hemmati M.D. Ph.D., and Ellen Goldstein

This is a response to the SMMUSD's recent appeal for private donations

We propose the following solutions for consideration:

· Conduct a thorough and fully transparent audit of current spending, with an aim to identify and reduce or eliminate expenditures on non-essential or redundant administrative roles and overhead costs.

Gelson's Project Gets First and Final Board Approval

03/06/2024 11:26 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The proposed 521-unit Lincoln Center -- composed of 12 separate six-story structures at Lincoln and Ocean Park boulevards -- was approved 5 to 0 by the Architectural Review Board (ARB), with two members required to recuse themselves.

Over 750 residents sign open letter to Gelson’s to reduce its unpopular project

03/04/2024 1:22 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

This is one of the biggest projects of its type ever proposed for Santa Monica. It is poorly conceived, out of scale with the neighborhood, and disregards how it will affect traffic, water usage, lack of open space, and City infrastructure.