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

802 Ashland Neighbors Contemplate Future After Development Is Approved:

Despite extensive neighborhood protest, a development for 10 residential units at the site of 802 Ashland Avenue, Santa Monica, got the go-ahead Monday, with the design, colors, materials and landscape plans passed by the City’s Architectural Review Board (ARB).

The applicant proposed a new two-story, 10-unit apartment development with one level of subterranean parking providing 20 parking spaces, that was approved during the ARB’s meeting.

The project site is comprised of a 15,257 square-foot vacant flag lot with an existing grade differential of approximately 32 feet.

Active neighborhood voice and opponent to the development, Rachel Kelley, said that the development only passed due to its silver LEED status and the inclusion of one affordable housing unit.

“It’s an extra-ordinary use of the space,” Kelley said, “an extra-ordinary interpretation of code.”

Deeply disappointed by Monday’s decision, Kelley, whose property borders the 802 Ashland site, said that the vocal community of opponents will now re-group before deciding what steps to take next.

Working tirelessly to have the project rejected, Kelley said that she felt the ARB was sympathetic to the neighbors’ plight, but had its hands bound by code.

According to Sunset Park resident Jane Dempsey, after four months and six community/ARB meetings, the project was denied on July 7, 2014 primarily for its mass.

“Instead of appealing it to the Planning Commission, somehow it came back to the ARB with a new architect, who is a former Planning Commission member, and the project looked very much the same in December, 2014 as it did in March. Again, the ARB asked for changes and each time the Santa Monica City Staff continues to recommend approval,” Dempsey said.

“Nothing has been done to protect us,” Kelley added, stating that despite constant letter writing and emails to the City, she received no response.

Friends of Sunset Park president Zina Josephs said that the apartment project is “just too big”.

“802 Ashland is located on a steep undeveloped hillside just above the old Lincoln Pipe building on Lincoln Blvd,” Josephs said. “Normally, only a four-unit apartment building would be allowed on the parcel, but because this is considered a “preferred permitted” project, the developer is being allowed to build 10 units.”

Neighbors also feel that the project did not have a proper California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, as it has claimed an exemption that “does not fit the facts on the ground,” according to Josephs.

Neighbors are also concerned about traffic and parking impacts as Ashland is a very narrow street, it’s already congested, and there is already an acute shortage of on-street parking in the area, she said.

The development will be accessible via a 100-foot-long curving off of Ashland Avenue, just east of Lincoln Blvd, another issue upsetting residents.

Labeling the driveway as the front setback will allow the developer to build closer to both the property lines and the neighbors than would normally be allowed, Josephs said.

While it is described as a two-story project, there will also be two studio apartments on the garage level, so it will actually be a three-story project, surrounded on three sides by single-family homes, she added.

The apartment project is a preferred permitted project with 25 percent of the units being three-bedroom with 60 percent of the remaining units featuring two-bedroom units. This preferred permitted project is also required to receive a USGBC LEED rating of silver, the City stated.

Conceding earlier rejections of the project, according to the City, the new applicant and project architect, Koning Eizenberg Architecture, proposes a design with a Contemporary architectural style with details, forms and materials that are reflective of the style.

“Staff feels that the applicant has responded to the Board’s comments and concerns and recommends approval based on the findings and conditions included in this report,” according to a City staff report.

The project is expressive of a contemporary architectural design and displays forms, materials and functionality that accentuate the concept, according to the City. Specifically, the building features light grey, smooth steel troweled, cement plaster walls that are accented with textured elements such as weathered cedar boards and metal mesh awnings.

The balcony areas feature galvanized steel guardrails and sunshades with operable louvers comprised of polycarbonate panels.

Each building exhibits a varied composition of windows and sliding doors that relate to the programming of the residential spaces and expresses an interesting and distinct fenestration pattern for each elevation. The buildings cement, wood and metal materials are complemented with a warm accent colors (orange-red) applied to entry doors and patio door sashes.

To follow the neighbors’ future you can find their Facebook page “Stop 802 Ashland” or email stop802ashland@gmail.com.

• Do you have a story idea or news tip? Contact Jennifer Eden by email at jennifer@smmirror.com.

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...