December 8, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Council Votes to Permanently Ban Mirco Apartments

Apartments less than 375 square feet outlawed

By Cailley Chella 

Santa Monica City Council made a temporary ban on mico apartments into a permanent ban, when on May 14 they voted to outlaw apartments less than 375 square feet. 

While the Council voted Tuesday to move forward on the ban, they did stipulate an exception for affordable housing projects and supportive housing. 

Santa Monica code currently defines a Single Room Occupancy Unit as one with no less than 175 feet and no more than 375, not including the bathroom and closet.

Council’s action comes after they enacted a temporary 45-day ban in March which expired May 10. 

This was the first reading of the permanent ordinance, and city staff recommended that the ban apply to any market-rate single room occupancy housing project that doesn’t have a permit by the ordinance’s second reading, which is anticipated to be June 28 of this year.

The staff report presented on Tuesday stated that market-rate single room occupancy housing “will also continue to be studied as part of staff’s analysis of new housing,” until that date.

Santa Monica Mayor Gleam Davis said she believes many councilmembers think that single room occupancy buildings do have a place in the city.

  “We simply have this issue about how do we define things and what role do they have to play,” Davis said, “But we haven’t figured it out yet.”

When Council discussed single-room occupancy units back in March, councilmembers said they wanted to watch out for small units and short-term housing for non-residents in the city, in order to counteract the new development trend towards those types of housing that the staff report states, “has been seen regionally in urban-core locales.”

The Planning Commission disagrees, recommending that the Council not ban single room occupancy housing because there’s a need for it.

Santa Monica Planning Commission Chair Mario Fonda-Bonardi spoke at the meeting saying that single room occupancy apartments need to be “part of the mix.”

“The Planning Commission didn’t feel that SROs should be eliminated,” Fonda-Bonardi said.

Leslie Lambert, a Sunset Park resident and Commissioner on the Planning Committee, agrees. 

 “There has been a lot of discussion about our children, who were born and raised here, not being able to afford to live in the city. If we are truly concerned about this and the general inability of middle-income single people to afford Santa Monica housing costs, then banning SRO’s, even on a “temporary” basis, is counterintuitive,” Lambert said. 

Denise Barton, however, a Santa Monica City Council regular attendee, welcomes the ban, saying if Santa Monica doesn’t do something quick, they’re likely to see tiny units with unlivable costs. 

“I do support the prohibition of SRO housing citywide, Barton said. “In New York you can pay $2,500 for 365 square feet…so over time…tenants will pay the same amount to rent a studio where they used to be able to rent a one-bedroom.”

Related Posts

(Video) Menorah Lighting Recap from Palisades Village

December 7, 2023

December 7, 2023

The annual menorah lighting at Palisades Village was a celebration. @smmirrornews The annual menorah lighting of Palisades Village was a...

Remembering Charles R. Donaldson, Journalist and Beloved Santa Monica College Educator

December 7, 2023

December 7, 2023

A Legacy of Learning and Community By Catherine Ryan Santa Monica lost a remarkable teacher and community organizer on October...

Film Review: The Holdovers

December 7, 2023

December 7, 2023

FILM REVIEWTHE HOLDOVERSRated R133 MinutesReleased November 10th Director Alexander Payne loves classic films. He’s a collector of movies. Based out...

(Video) Get in the Holiday Spirit at Santa Monica Place

December 7, 2023

December 7, 2023

With Free photos with Santa and a Giant Christmas Tree, Santa Monica Place is must visit this season! @smmirrornews With...

New Pizzeria Filling In Former Roca Pizza Location

December 7, 2023

December 7, 2023

Patrons can expect individual-sized pizzas perfected at Jemma restaurant in Hollywood Chef and restaurateur Jackson Kalb has announced a new...

California Brunch Destination to Open on Ocean Ave

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

Santa Monica Debuts the Iconic San Francisco Brunch Eatery to Southern California Food Enthusiasts Renowned California restaurateur Hoyul Steven Choi...

LA Times Unveils Top 101 Restaurants in Los Angeles for 2023 – Westside Gems Shine Bright

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

Food Critic Bill Addison’s Culinary Examination Recognizes Outstanding LA Eateries By Dolores Quintana The Los Angeles Times food critic Bill...

Second Fatality Linked to Panera’s Charged Lemonade Sparks Legal Action

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

Panera Faces Lawsuit Over Caffeinated Beverage Following Tragic Death By Dolores Quintana Panera Bread is under legal scrutiny again as...

Reservable Pickleball Program Launched in Santa Monica

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

The Sport’s Rising Popularity Led to Extended Wait Times at the Courts Pickleball aficionados now have the option to reserve...

Nightly Menorah Lights Coming to Downtown Santa Monica

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

More Details are Coming Soon By Zach Armstrong Hanukahh celebrations are hitting downtown Santa Monica this month at Third Street...

(Video) Multiple International Retailers Now Open at Palisades Village

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

Check out the new international brands now with an open shop in Palisades. @smmirrornews Check out the new retailers at...

Highlights from PRIDE Night at ICE at Santa Monica!

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

Last week, ICE at Santa Monica dazzled the community with its highly successful annual PRIDE night. The event, filled with...

 (Video) Recap of 12th Annual Venice Holiday Sign Lighting 

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

Venice Beach welcomed the holiday season with festive style @smmirrornews Venice Beach welcomed the holiday season with festive style. #christmas...

Film Review: Priscilla

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

FILM REVIEWPRISCILLARated R113 MinutesReleased November 3rd Adapted from Priscilla Presley’s 1985 memoir Elvis and Me, this movie illuminates Priscilla’s life...

SMMUSD to Host Series of Holiday Concerts and Events

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

The Public Is Welcome at Little to No Cost The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District’s secondary schools’ visual and performing...