The Santa Monica City Council returns to City Hall tonight to discuss some interesting topics ranging from governing activities on public beaches and parks, to adopting a Housing Authority Plan. Council will also be discussing a mixed-use Development Agreement (DA) and potentially increasing fees for council candidates.
In considering adoption of the proposed Housing Authority Annual and Administrative Plans, the council will be convening a special Housing Authority meeting to conduct a public hearing about whether to submit the proposals to the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development.
Council will also be looking into a proposed ordinance that would institute a $200 filing fee for candidates contesting a council seat while also increasing to $400 the City’s campaign contribution limit. The City of Santa Monica’s Municipal Code would also be updated to incorporate changes to campaign contribution regulation and disclosure of expenditures.
Two issues concerning public beaches and parks within city limits are also on the table. Specifically, council will consider amending the Municipal Code, in separate proposals, which prohibit open containers and vehicles on public beaches or parks.
One topic that may have some interesting discussion is the proposed DA for a mixed-use project at the former Papermate site at 1681 26th Street. Council will be considering a proposed development agreement with Hines regarding “potential community benefits and appropriateness for redevelopment of the site … and discuss (the) proposal in context of LUCE and draft principles and Bergamot and Mixed Use Creative Area Plan.”
“This project is one of the most significant land use decisions the City will make,” the staff report reads, adding the DA calls for 960,000 square feet of development for creative office, neighborhood commercial, and residential use within a five building campus.
Tonight’s Council meeting will be held at City Hall chambers and will be called to order at 5:30 p.m.
