July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica City Council Divided Over Process For Proposed Developments:

Lengthy discussions on the dais and public debates at Santa Monica’s bi-weekly City Council meetings are generally saved for ordinances or study sessions. By the time City Council meetings reach the number 13 on the agenda, it would be safe to presume adjournment is just around the corner.

Such was not the case June 11 when City Clerk Sarah Gorman called item 13-C.

When Gorman announced there were 61 speakers in the queue to address the council, it was immediately apparent adjournment was not quite as close as one would expect midway through the 13 items.

Indeed, a council meeting already more than three hours deep would continue on for nearly three more hours to debate and discuss the Downtown Specific Plan, Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE), and height restrictions in Santa Monica’s downtown core.

Generally, an issue brought up during the “Council Member Discussion Items” portion of the agenda to give City staff direction of what to do, such as draft an ordinance or study a particular matter.

At the June 11 meeting, Council members Kevin McKeown, Tony Vazquez, and Ted Winterer sponsored a discussion item requesting their colleagues to direct staff to slow down the public process for proposed developments who seek to build projects higher than 84 feet, or six stories.

The direction was shot down, as the trio who sponsored the discussion item could not muster support from another colleague.

Those who opposed the staff direction argued worried the public review process might actually be limited should certain projects be delayed.

McKeown said during the meeting and in an email afterwards the intent of the staff direction was ensure the timing of how the process played out would be properly executed and enforced.

While such intent may likely result in certain projects being delayed by a few months, McKeown argued they delay would be countered by the fair tradeoff of good governance.

Indeed, McKeown stated the intent of the motion was “to give the public confidence that we are first looking at the downtown holistically before approving individual projects.”

A key element of the debate was the Downtown Specific Plan. McKeown, Vazquez, and Winterer urged for greater patience – especially with respect to opportunity sites – so that developments could properly sync up with the Downtown Specific Plan, which is still being formulated and is expected to be considered by council members as early as March 2014.

McKeown explained in an email after the June 11 meeting the significance of being patient with current developments on tap and waiting until the Downtown Specific Plan is fully fleshed out.

“The Downtown Specific Plan will include in its review the opportunity sites, and it is entirely possible that the DSP will require rethinking of one or more of the tower projects as currently proposed. Right now, none is so far along that such rethinking should be impossible,” McKeown wrote in his email. “My intent, along with my colleagues Ted and Tony, was to keep us from backing ourselves into a situation where we have a project with approval momentum that does not match what the community decides it wants in the Downtown Specific Plan.”

However, the status quo remains and the current public review process for development agreements remains in place.

The Mirror will delve deeper into this debate in next week’s issue.

in News
<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...