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

Transportation Impact Fee Heads To Santa Monica City Council:

Hoping to alter the future of traffic management in Santa Monica, the Planning Commission unanimously recommended on Wednesday night that the City Council adopt a Transportation Implementation Fee (TIF), which aims to mitigate traffic in Santa Monica while furthering the goals of the Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE).

The TIF aims to direct new developments “contribute its fair share” toward the costs in cultivating new transportation infrastructure within the city. Included in the development of alternative automobile infrastructure are increased public transit, bicycling, ridesharing, and walking.

“The purpose of our Transportation Impact Fee … is pretty simple and straight forward. It is to make sure that new development pays its fair share of what’s necessary to mitigate new traffic in Santa Monica and to achieve the city’s no new net trips goal by providing better transportation choices for everyone,” Jeff Tumlin, a principal of the consulting firm Nelson Nygaard, told commissioners.

Should the council approve the TIF, it “will help offset the costs of building a robust transportation network, especially emphasizing improvements for those who walk, bicycle, and use transit, along with congestion management” and achieve the LUCE’s mission of “no net new automobile trips in the PM peak hour with a Santa Monica origin or destination and, with other funding sources, can be built using fees on new development.”

The fee would also be used to offset some of the costs of capital projects within Santa Monica. According to a staff report to commissioners, these capital projects, which include the development or modification of various bicycle, pedestrian, parking, transit, and related activities, would cost City Hall about $172 million over 20 years.

In terms of where the fee would be set, both staff and Tumlin suggested a range of fees contingent upon type of land use and location of the property.

For example, a single-family residence would be assessed a fee between $7,600 and $7,800, while a multi-family residence may pay between $2,600 and $3,300 per dwelling unit. Retailer may be charged between $21 and $31.10 per square foot while medical offices would have to fork out either $28.10 or $29.80 per square foot. The range for commercial tenants is between $9.70 and $10.80 per square foot.

Meanwhile, hotels, motels, inns, and other lodges may dole out $3.60 per square foot irrespective of location, and industrial-themed businesses would be assessed the lowest rate of either $1.20 or $1.30 per square foot.

Tumlin added the suggested fees might be raised if commissioners so desired. Essentially, the proposed fees would be a baseline assessment.

In all, the TIF would result in as much as $60 million in revenue, which would not cover the $172 million required for related capital projects. According to staff, the shortfall would be absorbed “regional, state and federal grants, City General Fund, and other sources, for which the Fee may provide a local match.”

According to the presentation to commissioners, there are currently 60,000 vehicle trips within Santa Monica during peak afternoon and evening hours. Without the LUCE, that number would increase to nearly 65,000 by 2030, according to Tumlin. Conversely, he pointed out vehicle trips would be reduced to 59,500 by 2030 with full implementation of the LUCE.

Among the current efforts to alter transportation demands in Santa Monica within the context of the LUCE include Expo Light Rail planning, the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) requirement of certain new development, streestscape projects (such as Ocean Park Avenue), area plans (in downtown and near Bergamot Station, for example), coordinating events with schools, such as Bike It Walk It, and coordinating around the Los Angeles Marathon and Cirque du Soleil.

Planning Commissioners had opened the door to recommend the TIF to council members when it approved a resolution of intention on the issue on Feb. 8.

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...