March 29, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Downtown Parking In-Lieu Fee Program To Be Updated:

With everyone looking up and pondering whether the blue sky and sun will give way to high-rise developments, the Downtown Specific Plan is not the only blueprint for the future that Santa Monica’s civic leaders are currently deliberating.

Also on tap is what would be developing on the ground in terms of parking, as the Downtown Parking In-Lieu Fee Program begins to make its way through the Planning Commission en route to the City Council.

Placed on the Planning Commission’s Wednesday agenda, the Downtown Parking In-Lieu Fee Program in its current format is set to expire in 2016. Accordingly, city officials have brought forward the Downtown Parking In-Lieu Fee Program, last updated in 1986, to be revamped.

The Downtown Parking In-Lieu Fee Program, according to City staff, gives proposed projects or uses the option to pay a designated fee rather than provide some or all on-site parking spaces required by the zoning code.

With the current program expiring within three years, City Hall is now making it a priority to implement a restructured parking in-lieu fee program for Downtown Santa Monica.

“The proposed modifications would increase the amount of the fee to reflect current costs and market conditions,” City staff stated, adding the infusion of fee revenues would be used “to pay for a variety of tools that provide additional parking and access to parking.”

The extent of the Downtown Parking In-Lieu Fee Program’s boundaries would be finalized after the DSP is adopted.

When the Downtown Parking In-Lieu Fee Program was adopted in 1986, new developers coming into town were given the option to pay $1.50 per square foot of building area. City Hall, in turn, would use the income to finance new parking spaces.

According to City staff, a fee of $1.50 per square foot of building area is now “insufficient to finance the current costs of new parking spaces.”

Going forward, the Downtown Parking In-Lieu Fee Program will still be optional for those developers who do not want to provide code-required onsite parking.

As for the actual fee itself, City staff initially proposed $20,000 per parking space. City staff estimated the cost to build one parking space in Santa Monica ranged from $25,000 to $50,000. Still, the City worries a $20,000 parking in-lieu fee, despite being below-cost, might be high enough to discourage program participation.

Nonetheless, City Hall’s consulting team maintains a $20,000 per parking space in-lieu fee is appropriate.

Whatever the final fee will be, city officials currently proposed that fee should be paid by the developer in one lump sum and prior to the issuance of any building permits.

The fee would also be annually adjusted to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index.

Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates submitted to city officials a 127-page report analyzing both the history and future of the Downtown Parking In-Lieu Fee Program.

The report’s introduction states: “The proposed parking in-lieu fee program seeks to facilitate continued economic vitality in Santa Monica while recognizing that flexible parking regulations can enhance project feasibility and profitability, as well as enable the City to finance additional parking and mobility improvements.”

in News
Related Posts

Customers at These Palisades Stores Can Get Cash Rewards for Sharing Their Experience

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Thumzup is Starting its L.A. Footprint Expansion with Pacific Palisades Thumzup, a company which aims to democratize the social media...

Homeless Man Sentenced to State Prison for Crimes Against Homeless Women

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Man Pleads No Contest to Series of Sexual Assaults Anthony Pittman, currently homeless, has pled no contest to a series...

(Video) Series A Coffee Now Open in Beverly Hills at 8328 Wilshire Blvd

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Located in the space that formerly housed a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Try the Black Pearl Iced Coffee. @smmirrornews...

Los Angeles County Braces for Heavy Rain, Snow, and Possible Thunderstorms Over Weekend

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

National Weather Service Issues Alerts for Flooding and Possible Tornado  According to the latest reports from the National Weather Service...

Hotel Workers to Speak Out on Harassment Endured at Santa Monica Hampton Inn

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

The Hotel Is One of Five Hotels in the Charter City That Are Still in a Labor Dispute By Zach...

Santa Monica Rotary Club Raises Over $21,000 for SMC Guardian Scholars Program

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

This Grant Will Provide Essential Support to Current and Former Foster Youth Enrolled at the College The Rotary Club of...

 (Video) Philz Coffee Set to Close Westside Location Next Month

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Franchise Recently Made Headlines for Changing Headquarters @smmirrornews Philz is closing its Santa Monica shop #coffeeaddict #coffee #coffeeshop #losangeles...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

Famous Literary Critic and Palisadian Passes Away at 92

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

A Memoriam Post Stated She Overturned Views on T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound and Other Canonized Artists By Zach Armstrong...

Mixed-Use Development Set for Sloping Property along Chautauqua Boulevard

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

“Canyon Place” Is Set to Include Two Apartment Units and 1,415 Sq. Ft. of Office Space By Zach Armstrong A...

Over Five Miles of Venice Blvd. to Temporarily Close, Become Public Park in April

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Initiative, Which Started in 2010, Aims to Connect Communities and Promote Sustainable Transportation Options On Sunday, April 21 from...

(Video) Workers Strike at Luxury Hotel in Downtown Santa Monica

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Meanwhile, Unite Here Local 11 Recently Announced a Contract Was Ratified at 34 Hotels @smmirrornews Workers are striking at Proper...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....