ACTION Apartment Association

Council gives final feedback on 2023-2025 proposed biennial budget before adoption

06/09/2023 12:45 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

City Council held a study session to review the Financial Year (FY) 2023-25 proposed biennial budget last week and among the instructions to staff were a block of actions to bolster the city’s landmark and preservation process.

Council want to reestablish monthly meetings for the Landmarks Commission, waive application fees for non-profits and Landmarks Commissioners for Landmark Designations and Certificates of Appropriateness, review legal considerations for placing pending Demolition Permit applications on the Landmarks Commission agendas and explore the possibility of limiting consultant review of Landmark Designation applications.

‘Godzilla next door’: How California developers gained new leverage to build more homes

06/09/2023 12:43 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

WS Communities put forward its not-so-modest proposal at a moment when it had extreme leverage over the city thanks to a new interpretation of a 33-year-old housing law. Santa Monica’s state-required housing plan had expired and its new plan had yet to be approved. According to the law, in that non-compliance window, developers can exploit the so-called builder’s remedy, in which they can build as much as they want wherever they want so long as at least 20% of the proposed units are set aside for lower income residents.

Impact of Supreme Court Ruling on Local Voting Rights Case Debatable

06/09/2023 12:34 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The 5-4 decision affirms a lower court ruling that struck down a map drawn by the state's Republican-led Senate that voting rights activists say discriminates against Black voters.

The map carved out one majority Black district and spread other black voters into districts dominated by Whites, diluting the Black vote.

California bill would limit security deposits for prospective renters

06/08/2023 12:49 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The state Assembly passed Bill 12 in May and now sits in the state Senate, where the policy committee will review it. The bill, which was introduced in December, could be signed into law by September if it passes the Senate. The bill would limit security deposits to one month’s rent, but would not change any of the liability on renters for damages, according to its author, Democratic Assemblyman Matt Haney.

Transfer Tax Hike Lawsuit Hearing Set for August

06/08/2023 10:55 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The parties in a lawsuit that seeks to void Santa Monica's transfer tax hike have filed motions for a hearing in Los Angeles County Superior Court set for August 3.

The lawsuit filed January 9 by the California Business Roundtable against the City and School District claims that Measure GS violates the California Constitution's “single-subject” rule because it generates funding for two separate purposes

OPINION -- A Call for Action from the Trenches

06/08/2023 10:52 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Jen Rush is the owner of Blue Plate Oysterette and Blue Plate Taco in Downtown Santa Monica.

To all who do business, live, work and manage our City of Santa Monica,

This week a group of us went to visit 10 local hotel concierges to try and drum up business for our restaurants, as it has been painfully slow in Santa Monica.

I have spoken to many colleagues in the Santa Monica hospitality business and they have also confirmed very slow business. The gray weather does not help, but I wanted you all to know that several of the hotels commented that they are no longer seeing foreign tourists as they are being advised to stay away from Santa Monica specifically, due to the increase in homelessness, unsafe streets and beaches that are populated by homeless.

SMa.r.t. Column: Improving Santa Monica’s Future: A Resident-Oriented Master Plan

06/07/2023 9:04 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Why Santa Monica Needs a Resident-Oriented Master Plan

To make the case for a resident-oriented master plan in Santa Monica, let’s break down the specific reasons and raise important questions:

1. Managing Growth

School budget hits the red starting next year

06/07/2023 8:59 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

SMMUSD will formally adopt its budget at the end of this month but the Board heard a preliminary update last week with bad news in the short term.

The District projected total revenues for next school year as $132,538,788. That is projected to increase slightly to $137,119,554 for the 24/25 school year. Expenses are estimated to be $141,918,920 for next year and $139,110,031 for the 24/25 year.

Solid Waste Rates Set to Rise

06/07/2023 8:49 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Single-family customers in Santa Monica could see their bi-monthly solid waste bill rise over the next five years -- from about $84 to $141 -- under rate hikes the City Council will take up Tuesday.

Under the 11 percent per year hikes, rates for a four-unit apartment building would go up from about $199 to $363, while those for a 10-unit building would rise from about $263 to $472.

Few Approve of Council's Performance, Poll Finds

06/06/2023 10:54 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A monthly poll of Santa Monica residents found that crime and homelessness remain the top concerns, while few approve of the new City Council's performance so far.

The text message poll of some 140 residents concerned with public safety also found that nearly two-thirds support an agreement that averts about a dozen "builder's remedy" projects.