March 29, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Community Consultation Key to Extended DCP:

Amidst resident rumblings regarding development and the future of Santa Monica, the City released a new Downtown Community Plan (DCP) timeline Tuesday in an effort to create a final blueprint that is more reflective of what people really want.

“It’s better to have broad participation in planning for the future,” Santa Monica City Manager Rick Cole told The Mirror regarding the extended timeline. “We’ll take the time to have a deep, thoughtful and constructive community dialogue. I think when people understand what the plan actually proposes and we have a chance to work out some key contentious issues, there will be strong support.”

The new timeline sees a winter 2016/spring 2017 completion target, adding 6-9 months to the previous summer 2016 deadline.

“From the beginning, I stressed that the goals in order of importance were: forge a great plan that will stand the test of time; work toward community consensus; and finish the job by June,” Cole explained. “The first two were always more important than the third.”

Integral to the new incarnation of the DCP timeline is a calendar of speaker series, currently labeled “Placemaking,” Preservation & Change,” and “Future of Mobility.”

“People need to see themselves in the document and have a sense of shared ownership for the future,” said Peter James, Principal Planner with the City’s Planning and Community Development department. “While not always easy to do, particularly in such a passionate community as the one we have here, understanding the root causes of people’s concerns helps to identify areas where planning can create a bridge, and provide solutions around which we hope to build consensus.”

The revised draft proposes a number of new ideas to preserve and enhance the character of the City’s historic core, according to the City.

“It identifies the characteristics that make Downtown special and helps outline priorities for public investment in sidewalks, streets and open spaces as well as on private property,” the City stated. “It also calls out ways we can improve public amenities such as open space and arts and culture activities that offer the greatest benefit to Santa Monicans…A planning tool of this type for the entire Downtown has not been updated in more than 30 years.”

A new jazzy website, focus groups, online surveys and a revised Environmental Impact Report (EIR) all form part of the new timeline and subsequent final drafts, which are scheduled to go before Santa Monica City Council next year for final approval.

For more information on the DCP and outreach events, and to submit comments, visit downtownsmplan.org or follow #ThePlanSM.

The Downtown Community Plan is guided by the 2010 Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE). The LUCE envisioned an energetic and contemporary Downtown for residents, employees and visitors that integrates the light rail and preserves the unique character of the district and its commercial and residential life. The LUCE also called for enhancing Downtown through better linkages to some of City’s most visible attractions: the Civic Center and the Beachfront. However, the LUCE deferred implementation of the vision and the specific standards to creation of a Specific Plan for Downtown.

in News
Related Posts

Bystander Injured After Man Jumps from Third Floor of Santa Monica Place in Potential Suicide Attempt

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Monday afternoon incident results in injuries to a woman in her 70s and a man in his 50s. By Sam...

Clippers Center Ivica Zubac Joins Students for Medical Simulation Training

March 29, 2023

March 29, 2023

Students gain hands-on experience with virtual reality tools, CPR training, and surgical equipment at Cedars-Sinai’s Women’s Guild Simulation Center For...

Santa Monica Hosts Active Aging Group Bike Ride for Older Adults

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

Event set for Thursday, March 30, to practice safe biking skills and the rules of the road Older adults in...

City Council Approves Land Use Amendments to Implement Housing Element

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

Amendments to zoning codes to support affordable housing production and streamline approval process The Santa Monica City Council has taken...

Changes Coming to Chautauqua and PCH to Address Traffic Congestion

March 28, 2023

March 28, 2023

Two changes coming to intersection of Chautauqua and PCH in late April Residents of Pacific Palisades can expect changes to...

“Hunger Cliff” Looms as CalFresh Benefits Come to an End in Southern California

March 27, 2023

March 27, 2023

Local food banks urge community support as Southern Californians face heightened food insecurity Local food banks in Southern California are...

Historic Santa Monica House with Rock ‘n’ Roll Past Hits the Market for $22.5M

March 27, 2023

March 27, 2023

The Witbeck House, a charming and beautifully preserved 1917 property with a recording studio used by musician Jackson Browne, is...

Community Corporation of Santa Monica Unveils New Affordable Housing Project in Pico Neighborhood

March 26, 2023

March 26, 2023

Brunson Terrace apartments will offer affordable housing and retail space for local businesses Community Corporation of Santa Monica has unveiled...

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Rejects Extension of Tenant Protections

March 26, 2023

March 26, 2023

County Board of Supervisors votes down measure affecting landlords in unincorporated areas. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted...

Santa Monica Pet Hotel Hosts Puppy-Friendly St. Patty’s Day Party

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

A new pet hotel in Santa Monica recently hosted a St. Patrick’s Day party for local dogs. Check out all...

Santa Monica Mountains Largest Ever Restoration Project Nears Completion After 7,000 Hours of Volunteer Work

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

Final planting event will be held Saturday, March 25 at 9 a.m. for the park’s largest ever restoration project After...

California Appeals Court Rules Uber and Lyft Can Classify Drivers as Independent Contractors

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

Proposition 22 exempted ride-share companies from certain labor laws, court rules in favor of the companies By Sam Catanzaro ​​A...

Film Review – Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre

March 24, 2023

March 24, 2023

FILM REVIEWOPERATION FORTUNE: Ruse de GuerreRated R114 MinutesReleased March 3rd Now that the season of weighty Oscar contender films is...

Santa Monica Uses Innovative Water Recycling Facility to Capture and Store Rainwater

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

City’s Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project reducing reliance on imported water and sets a model for future projects Santa Monica has...

Shuttered Santa Monica Loews Hotel to Rebrand and Reopen as a Regent Hotel

March 23, 2023

March 23, 2023

Hotel’s new operator announces plans for $4 million renovation, including rebranding and upgrading accessibility for guests with disabilities By Dolores...