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

Santa Monica City Council To Decide On Hines Referendum On Tuesday:

Perhaps one of the Santa Monica City Council’s biggest decisions to make outside of the future of the Santa Monica Airport is about to take place on Tuesday, as the seaside community’s panel of seven elected officials will decide whether to repeal the Hines development agreement (DA) or submit the question to the City’s voters in November.

A grass-roots movement successfully filed a referendum petition protesting the City Council’s decision to authorize a DA with Hines 26th Street LLC in February. Led by Armen Melkonians and his website, Residocracy.org, the grass-roots movement gathered more than 15,000 signatures challenging the DA, which became City law in February.

The approved DA opened the door for the construction of more than 765,000 square feet of mixed-use development at the former Papermate site at 1681 26th Street.

According to City staff, about half of the project would have been dedicated to creative office space, with the remainder of the development featuring 473 rental housing units, 25 artist work/live units, restaurant and retail space, various publicly accessible outdoor spaces, and north-south public streets bisecting portions of the project site.

In March, Melkonians and supporters of Residocracy.org arrived at City Hall with boxes full of signatures to petition and challenge the approval of the Hines DA. About five weeks after the signatures were submitted, the County Registrar verified the signatories and it was determined the grass-roots movement formally collected the requisite 10 percent of registered Santa Monica voters to qualify the issue for the ballot.

Once the threshold was met and the referendum qualified for the ballot, the DA was suspended and the City Council, under State law, was required to take one of two actions: repeal the ordinance or allow the voters to decide whether the Hines DA should be allowed to stand or fail.

If the council decides to hold an election, State law says a vote must take place no earlier than 88 days after the council’s decision is made. Accordingly, the City Council could call for a special election as early as Aug. 10.

However, the City Clerk confirmed with The Mirror a special election would cost Santa Monica about $200,000.

The council could instruct the referendum come in front of the voters in the Nov. 4 general election, which would only cost City Hall about $5,000.

With the wide gulf of expenses between placing the referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot versus a special election, City staff recommended council members to opt for the cheaper alternative.

“If Council favors a prompt resolution, then it may wish to decide the matter itself. On the other hand, Council may favor an election as the preferred means of settling a dispute that has divided the community,” City staff stated.

In a pair of public hearings and meetings in late January and early February, the City Council narrowly approved the Hines DA by a 4-to-3 vote, with Mayor Pam O’Connor, Mayor Pro Tem Terry O’Day, and Council members Gleam Davis and Bob Holbrook voting in favor of the project.

in News
<>Related Posts

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...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary to be Celebrated with Vibrant State of the City Event

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs, and picnics to enjoy during the performances Santa Monica will mark its...