July 3, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Development Wars Heat Up

Ballot initiative would reduce the City’s power over development.

Santa Monica voters will be asked in November to choose how much control Santa Monica City Council has over new developments under a voter initiative approved by the Council on Tuesday, June 26.

The initiative would require a supermajority approval by City Council for any projects within either the Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) or Downtown Community Plan (DCP) that would exceed the existing height or floor area ratio limits specified in the City’s zoning code. Exempt from this supermajority requirement would be 100 percent Affordable Housing Projects and developments on property owned by the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified District (SMMUSD).

Photos: Sam Catanzaro.
The DoubleTree hotel is on property that is part of SMMUSD.

“This is to let the community affirm along with the council that having worked for years and years on LUCE and the Zoning Code that we will stick to that plan,” said Councilmember Kevin McKeown. “Most of the developments that have caused great consternation in our community were passed on 4-3 votes. If we can avoid that for 10 years I think it is worth doing. And I think it certainly worth giving the voters of Santa Monica an opportunity to vote on this proposal.”

The LUCE and the DCP govern maximum height and density for new developments in the city. Currently, any project that exceeds these limits has to be approved by City Council by a simple majority. If approved by voters in 2018, the supermajority requirement in this proposal would reduce the City’s ability to approve large development projects until the initiative’s expiration on November 6, 2028.

City Council approved the initiative by a 4-2 margin, with Mayor Pro Tem Gleam Davis and Councilmember Terry O’Day voting in opposition. Both expressed concern about how the proposal, if passed by voters, would impact the City’s Charter.

“Our charter is the effective constitution for this city. You don’t put pilot programs or experiments in your constitution,” Davis said. “Reaching into the future and affecting future Councils’ ability to take action is not appropriate.”

Photo: Sam Catanzaro.

Both O’Day and Davis also expressed concern that the initiative would needlessly make development a topic in the 2018 election.

“Every couple of years, some nonsensical election-year political manipulations around development show up and this is the latest one. This really I think is nonsensical because it has no place in the City Charter. Nowhere else do you find something like this and we are really going out on a limb on this one,” O’Day said.

In addition to exemptions for 100 percent Affordable Housing Projects and projects on SMMUSD property, a supermajority vote would not be required for certain projects around Bergamot Station, Providence St. John’s Health Center, Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center and the Civic Center. A vote for a project covered by this initiative could only take place when all eligible members of City Council are present.

The SMMUSD exemption is significant because of the DoubleTree Suites hotel on 4th Street which is on property owned by the school district. This means that future developments to this property that exceed City limits would not have to be approved by a supermajority in City Council. Councilmember McKeown, who works for SMMUSD, had to recuse himself from Tuesday’s vote because of this conflict of interest. McKeown initially had supported a version of the proposal that did not include the SMMUSD exemption. Concern that this would diminish SMMUSD’s ability to raise funds led the Council amended the initiative to include the exemption.

 

in News
<>Related Posts

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles. Go...

(Video) Gladstone’s Malibu Prepares for Reopening after Surviving Palisades Fires

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

With One Half of its Structure Slightly Charred and Undergoing Repairs, Gladstone’s Malibu is Reopening its Patio Space Just in...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Community Mapping Survey

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

The initiative aims to shape the library’s programs and services to better meet community needs, fostering an inclusive and accessible...

Third Street Promenade Loses Bibibop Asian Grill

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Bibibop opened at the Santa Monica location in 2017 after taking over a former ShopHouse space Bibibop Asian Grill, a...

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150 National Guard...

(Video) ‘World’s Strongest Man’ Champion Pulls Big Blue Bus for 30 feet

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

World-class strongman Martins Licis pulled a 34,680‑pound, 35-feet long, battery electric bus through the Pier to set off Pier 360...

California Highway Patrol Deploys for Independence Day Enforcement Surge

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

All Available Officers to Hit California Highways for Holiday Weekend As Californians gear up for Fourth of July festivities, the...

Court Postpones Arraignment for Driver in Malibu Crash That Killed Four Students

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Fraser Michael Bohm Faces Murder Charges in Fatal PCH Wreck  The arraignment for Fraser Michael Bohm, the 23-year-old man accused...

More Commercial Uses Could Be Coming to RAND Building

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Amendment Unlocks New Opportunities, Secures $5.5 Million in Community Benefits The Santa Monica Planning Commission unanimously approved an amendment to...

People are Using Palisades for “Disaster Tours.” Local Officials Are Trying to Stop Them

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

A new motion introduced to City Council requests a coordinated strategy from LADOT, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the...

Santa Monica Favorite Esters Rebrands as Esters Wine Shop & Oyster Bar

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

New Concept Launches With French-Spanish Flair and Free Bubbles Esters Wine Shop, the fave Parisian-style wine bar in downtown Santa...

Letter to the Editor: Santa Monica’s Great Park: It’s Time to Deliver on 100 Years of Promise

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Santa Monica stands at the edge of history. For nearly a century, residents have consistently supported turning the airport land...

Why Nordstrom Says It’s Closing Its Santa Monica Place Location

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

A Nordstrom spokesperson explained the closure as a strategic realignment Nordstrom confirmed its decision to close its Santa Monica store...