July 11, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Draft LUCE Is On The Way:

Community members and the City of Santa Monica have been working on the update of the Land Use and Circulation Elements (LUCE) of the City’s General Plan since 2005 and now that process is beginning to draw to a close.

The land use element delineates the distribution of different types of buildings (housing, business, industry, open space, etc.) while the circulation element sets out the location of existing and proposed roads, highways, and other modes of transportation. The zoning ordinance translates the land use element’s goals and objectives into standards and procedures. They were last updated in 1984.

Santa Monica’s Director of Planning and Community Development, Eileen Fogerty, told the Planning Commission at their September 2 meeting that the Draft LUCE would be completed by either the end of October or early November. Then the community as well as the Planning Commission and the City Council would have an opportunity to review and comment on the draft. Those comments would then be taken into account for the preparation of the Final LUCE which will be completed sometime in the Winter of 2010. The final document will then be adopted in the Spring of 2010. Work will begin soon after that on the year long process of translating the LUCE’s goals and objectives into the City’s updated zoning ordinance.

Over the last four months the community has given input on neighborhood conservation, community benefits, a growth management approach and proposed indicators for measuring the plan’s success. One of the biggest issues discussed, according to Fogerty, was automobile trip reduction strategies. Strategies proposed were having “activity centers located at Expo transit stations and transit crossroads,” locating housing and jobs near transit, having complete neighborhoods within walking/biking distance of retail services, shifting away from regional commercial venues, and locating residential development along transit corridors.

Another big issue was how to measure growth and parameters to check the City’s success in this area. This included ways to “project future growth in five year increments to be in sync with transportation and infrastructure improvements.” Santa Monica also wants to be able to measure and manage success by establishing performance standards and targets, providing reports to the community and City Council, and allowing the City to “put on the brakes” if the City begins to grow too quickly.

Lastly, the new plan will also help control growth and reduce car trips by providing for increased public review, establishing design policies and guidelines, increasing open space, conserving neighborhoods, creating appropriate urban design principles and giving guidelines for setbacks, stepbacks, and building envelopes.

This new plan will also be different than the 1984 plan because it provides for change in a smaller area, has reduced commercial growth, modifies residential growth, and has enhanced transit growth.

in News
<>Related Posts

Suspect Arrested in Santa Monica Pier Arson Incidents

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The suspect, matching video footage from an arcade, was taken into custody Santa Monica Police Department officers arrested a suspect...

SMPD Launch New Recruitment Website Amid High Vacancy Rates

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The site features multimedia content, including day-in-the-life videos and officer profiles, highlighting the impact of serving the community The Santa...

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

Santa Monica Joins Regional Lawsuit to Halt Unconstitutional ICE Raids

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The motion to intervene seeks to ensure that Santa Monica and other plaintiff-intervenors can advocate for their residents’ rights in...

Promenade Restaurant Introduces Lunch Menu Set at $18 Per Person

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The fixed $18 price point targets commuters and those seeking a power lunch or a change of scenery The restaurant...

Santa Monica Council Votes in Support of Park-Centric Future at Airport Site

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The decision followed a contentious meeting with over 140 public speakers and more than 1,000 emails received by the council...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

‘Adoptapalooza’ Pet Adoption Festival Returns to Main Street This Weekend

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The free, family-friendly event aims to connect adoptable animals with new owners Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center will host...

Virtual Town Hall to Discuss Proposed Resilient Rebuilding Authority

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The agency, to be run by political appointees, would manage permitting, development, zoning, and funding, modeled after post-disaster recoveries Los...

New Agenda Coaching: Changing Lives in LA

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Students Work Toward Applied Success with Executive Function Coaching Services The demands of daily routines and studies sometimes bear weight...

Saint Monica Prep Students Win Award for Anti-Street Racing PSA Video

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The winning public service announcement, titled “Not Worth It,” was highlighted in a post on X by @LADOTofficial  Students from...

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...

Free and Reduced Price School Meals Available for Eligible Families in Santa Monica-Malibu District

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Parents in Need Encouraged to Apply, SMMUSD Commits to Nutritious, Accessible Meals By Brandyi Phillips, SMMUSD Chief Communications Officer Santa...

Big Blue Bus to Raise Fares for First Time in Nearly a Decade

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The fare increase aims to offset rising costs for fuel, utilities, and supplies, according to the agency. The Santa Monica...