March 28, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Approves First Housing Project Of 2014:

The empty block at 1112 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, will soon see some building action with a 32-unit housing project approved by Santa Monica City Council Tuesday night.

Two and a half years in the making, the town-house styled development got the all-clear from council members with the ordinance and subsequent development design passing unanimously with amendments to water-metering and a quick Architects Review Board look at planting in the courtyards and Pico entrance.

“We have not been building a lot of housing,” Councilwoman Gleam Davis, who moved the ordinance with amendments, said during council. “Whether we like it or not, the regional population is going to grow and that region population needs housing.”

Mayor Pro Tem Terry O’Day seconded the ordinance, with the amendments.

The project site is located on the south side of Pico Blvd. between 11th Street and Euclid Street in the R4 district.

Currently, the project site is a vacant lot. It previously contained 15 rent-controlled residential dwellings, which were removed from the rental market pursuant to the Ellis Act and demolished in 2008.

Adjacent uses along Pico Blvd. include a motel and residential development.

The project site encompasses an approximate 160-foot length along Pico with an approximate 15-foot-10-inch grade differential, 11.5 percent slope, from east to west.

During Tuesday night’s council meeting, resident and tenants groups urged City Council to move forward with the development, many stating that they were sick of seeing an empty lot degrading their street.

“We’re kind of getting tired at looking at the piles of dirt,” said local resident Tom Byron, whose house backs onto the empty lot. “We’re hoping that this will boost up the neighborhood and that something will eventually be done about the dump of the hotel just to the right of this building, which is a constant source of police calls.”

The approved development has a teak exterior and many sustainable features enabling it to achieve LEED Platinum certification, including large courtyards to allow for natural light into the units, cross-ventilated units, photovoltaic panels located on the roof to generate energy to meet Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) development parameters and a tier system which allows graduated height and floor area ratio (FAR) standards, according to the City.

There will also be at least two electric vehicle-charging stations in the car park, with two spaces reserved for each unit. Tenants will be unable to apply for preferential parking permits, addressing several concerns from members of the public about street congestion.

High on City Council’s discussion agenda Tuesday night was the issue of water use and metering.

City staff presented a development agreement amendment that states that each individual unit in the project will have its own water meter to monitor water use and to enable individual unit tenants to be charged according to their water use. Council included the amendment in the passing of the ordinance.

After much discussion, everyone agreed that this would satisfy all concerns.

Councilman Ted Winterer raised the issue of landscaping and urged the Architect Review Board pay attention to discrepancies between City Staff and the Planning Commission regarding planting trees versus planter boxes and landscaping at the Pico entrance. His suggestion was added as a “friendly” addition to the ordinance.

The project includes four very-low income affordable housing units and 11 price controlled units that are tied to CPI increases.

“While this does provide some stability and keeps the owner from raising rents 10 percent when CPI is two percent, since they’re already starting out at market rate…I’m just concerned that in the future we not use this as a trade off for something that is truly affordable housing,” Councilwoman Davis said, adding that a priced controlled unit renting at above $3,000 a month should in no way be considered “affordable.”

in News
Related Posts

 (Video) Philz Coffee Set to Close Westside Location Next Month

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Franchise Recently Made Headlines for Changing Headquarters @smmirrornews Philz is closing its Santa Monica shop #coffeeaddict #coffee #coffeeshop #losangeles...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

Famous Literary Critic and Palisadian Passes Away at 92

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

A Memoriam Post Stated She Overturned Views on T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound and Other Canonized Artists By Zach Armstrong...

Mixed-Use Development Set for Sloping Property along Chautauqua Boulevard

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

“Canyon Place” Is Set to Include Two Apartment Units and 1,415 Sq. Ft. of Office Space By Zach Armstrong A...

Over Five Miles of Venice Blvd. to Temporarily Close, Become Public Park in April

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Initiative, Which Started in 2010, Aims to Connect Communities and Promote Sustainable Transportation Options On Sunday, April 21 from...

(Video) Workers Strike at Luxury Hotel in Downtown Santa Monica

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Meanwhile, Unite Here Local 11 Recently Announced a Contract Was Ratified at 34 Hotels @smmirrornews Workers are striking at Proper...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....

Teen Kung Fu Coming to Pali Rec Center

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

This 8-week session, priced at $160, commences in April 2024 Palisades Recreation Center introduces Teen Kung Fu classes, fostering a...

After Securing $200K Grant, City Embarks on Action Plan for Older Adults, People with Disabilities and Caregivers

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

The City Will Engage Experts, Nonprofit Partners, Commissioners, and Stakeholders to Spearhead the Planning Process The city of Santa Monica...

City Commences Phase 2 of Beach Restoration Project

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

The Project Will Enlarge the Habitat for Significant Native Species, Including the Federally Threatened Western Snowy Plover Phase 2 of...

Caltrans Extends Closure on Topanga Canyon Boulevard Due to Mud and Rockslide

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

PCH Closure on March 26 Adds to Local Road Closures, Seek Alternative Routes The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has...

Animal Rights Groups Demand an End to Turtle Racing at Brennan’s Pub

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

The Organization Says Its Tried to Contact the Westside Bar for Months By Zach Armstrong Among its numerous entertainment events...

SMC Unveils Spring 2024 Issue of Acclaimed Literary Journal, Author Readings Coming in April

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

The Issue Presents a Mix of New, Returning, and Debut Writers, Reflecting Diversity and Enduring Relationships Santa Monica College announced...