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

Santa Monica Takes Steps Toward Affordable Housing Bonuses:

Santa Monica’s Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend that the City Council approve an amendment to Santa Monica’s zoning ordinance aimed at providing more affordable housing in the city. The ordinance change will help the City comply with California law and give density bonuses to projects that include affordable housing.

Santa Monica’s initial ordinance to provide density bonuses for on-site affordable housing was adopted on Feb. 14, 2006. It also provided for a menu of concessions/incentives from the City’s development standards including a reduction in setback requirements and increased parcel coverage. After that, the ordinance was extended several times with interim ordinances. The last interim ordinance expired on July 26, 2010.

Since 2006, 30 projects were approved by the City that contained 265 units and 30 percent of those units were affordable. Five 100 percent affordable projects were also built that in total contained 141 deed-restricted units. In addition, $83,126 in affordable housing fees was collected by the City from developers.

A key change between the proposed ordinance and the original ordinance is the new ordinance will only apply to residential zones. City commercial zones will instead be covered by housing incentives provided by the updated Land Use and Circulation Element’s (LUCE) tier structure and implementing ordinances. Another change is that the 15 percent deviation from the front yard setbacks requirements was removed from the menu of developer incentives to help support the LUCE goal of neighborhood conservation.

The menu of concessions and incentives that will now be available to developers includes a 15 percent deviation from one side yard setback, up to a 10 percent increase in first floor parcel coverage, and up to a 15 percent deviation from the rear yard setback. Also possible is reduced parking standards based on the number of bedrooms that are equivalent to the City’s existing affordable housing parking requirement if the project provides deed-restricted units. The amended ordinance also allows the city to maintain control over the menu of developer concessions.

Community activist Catherine Eldridge was the only person from the community that spoke. She claimed that the city staff report for the amended ordinance “was misleading and confusing” and that the ordinance “would not protect the neighborhoods” which is a key part of the LUCE. It also would not allow neighborhood protections “to be defined before it created a by right for the developers. Neighborhood conservation needs to come first.”

Commissioner Hank Koning was concerned that the amended ordinance would “encourage us ending up with smaller affordable units rather than larger affordable family units.” Having larger affordable units was something Koning noted he heard form the community during the LUCE process.

Commissioner Jason Parry suggested having an in depth discussion of unit size at a later time because according to city staff that discussion was not appropriate when considering the amended ordinance.

The commission’s vote agreed with the recommendation by city staff which believes the amended ordinance would be LUCE compatible and compatible with the city’s Affordable Housing Production Program.

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...