October 1, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Miramar Project to go Before City Council Tuesday

Councilmember Gleam Davis asks City Attorney whether she should rescue self from vote 

By Sam Catanzaro 

Santa Monica lawmakers will soon decide whether to approve or reject plans that have been in the works for a decade to redevelop one of the city’s most iconic hotels. 

On September 9 the Santa Monica Planning Commission approved the proposed redevelopment of the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows. 

The hotel, located at Wilshire Boulevard and Ocean Avenue, has been around since the 1920s. 

Under plans from the Athens Group, the hotel would nearly double in size, retaining the existing Palisades Building and Moreton Bay Fig Tree. 

The 502,157-square-foot redevelopment proposal, which has been drastically altered three times during a decade-long planning process, calls for 312 guest rooms 60 condominiums and around 18,000 square feet of commercial space. In addition, land would be set aside land on 2nd Street for 100 percent affordable housing complex with 42 units.

The project is expected to provide a boost to a Santa Monica’s economy hit hard by the COVID-19 shutdown.

“I would probably vote against this if it had come up six months ago or asked for considerable reductions. And if that didn’t happen, I would have voted against it. And in fact, this goes to the reason I’m supporting it tonight,” said Commissioner Richard McKinnon. “We’re in the worst economic crisis for 100 years. We just haven’t quite seen it yet but the issues around the world are there. This [redevelopment] is something which says to people, ‘There is an investment. There are jobs. There is a future,’ and we need it to begin. That’s why I want it to be on a timetable.”

The only dissenting vote was Commissioner Mario Fonda-Bonardi. 

“Once it’s up, it ain’t going away and that massiveness is going to be a giant object, a giant huge object, that is going to completely change our skyline, what you see from the beach will be completely changed by this object,” Fonda-Bonardi said. 

Ellis O’Connor and Dustin Peterson with the Miramar Santa Monica say, however, that only a small percentage of the project would reach zoning height limits for the area.  

“Only 14 percent of our project site takes advantage of the 130’ height limit in the DCP.  In contrast, over 50 percent of our site will be open space, including a 14,000 sf lushly landscaped garden for the public’s use and enjoyment, activated with food and beverage, artwork and programming. We’re very proud of the project and look forward to the upcoming discussion with City Council,” O’Connor and Peterson said in a statement to the Santa Monica Mirror

The project was approved 6-1 and calls on City Council to fast track the project. City Council is expected to vote on the proposal at their meeting Tuesday, September 29. 

As reported by the Santa Monica Lookout, Santa Monica City Councilmember Gleam Davis has asked the City Attorney if she should recuse herself from voting on the agenda item. Davis is married to John Prindle, a high ranking employee with Dell Technologies and Dell’s CEO Michael Dell owns the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows through his investment firm MSD Capital. According to Davis, her family would not benefit financially from the Council’s approval of the Miramar expansion. 

in News
Related Posts

(Video) Interview With Downtown Activist on Being Attacked by Homeless Suspect

September 29, 2023

September 29, 2023

John Alle, co-founder of Santa Monica Coalition, was attacked in Palisades Park while filming. @smmirrornews John Alle was hospitalized after...

Suspected Drunk Driver Slams Into Citizen on Venice Beach Boardwalk

September 29, 2023

September 29, 2023

The Suspect Is Also Seen Drinking From a Modelo Beer Bottle By Zach Armstrong A potential drunk driver hit a...

Beloved Roosevelt Elementary Teacher Kitty Donohoe Leaves a Legacy of Inspiration

September 29, 2023

September 29, 2023

Longtime Educator Remembered for 35 Years of Dedication to Roosevelt Community By Dolores Quintana The Santa Monica – Malibu Unified...

$10K of Pickleball Equipment Destroyed in Memorial Park Arson

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

Thanks to an Outpour of Donations and Support, Storage Bins Should Be Set Up by the End of Next Week...

Revolutionize Your Coffee Experience: Blue Bottle’s Exclusive Residency Unveiled

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

A Full Flavor Coffee Experience With Dessert Meant For Savoring  By Dolores Quintana Blue Bottle Coffee, a well-known specialty coffee...

Rebranded Breakfast Burrito Specialist Still Eyes 2023 Santa Monica Opening

September 28, 2023

September 28, 2023

Earlier This Year, It Was Reported the Restaurant Will Expand in a Different Time Frame Than Initially Expected By Zach...

Women’s Surf Film Festival Making California Debut in Venice

September 27, 2023

September 27, 2023

With an Array of Storytelling From Both Artists, the Festival Spotlights Inspiring Narratives of Female Surfers. The Women’s Surf Film...

Free “Masters of Dance” Workshops and Classes Open by SMC

September 27, 2023

September 27, 2023

It Features a Lineup of Master Classes and Educational Workshops Led by Accomplished Dance Professionals The Santa Monica College Dance...

Samohi Orchestra Program to Host Annual Fall Benefit Concert

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

Audience Will Be Enchanted With Pieces From Movies Including Aladdin, Harry Potter and Howl’s Moving Castle The nationally recognized and...

Hollywood Twist: Writers Guild Strikes Gold with Extraordinary Deal

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

WGA Members To Vote On Ratification of the Tentative Contract  By Dolores Quintana  After The Writers Guild of America (WGA)...

Film Review: Amerikatsi

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

FILM REVIEWAmerikatsiUnrated117 MinutesReleased September 8, 2023 A storyline predominantly based on voyeurism is not a new cinematic concept, and here...

Film Review: Bottoms

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

FILM REVIEWBOTTOMSRated R91 MinutesReleased August 25th Welcome to a new generation of breakout stars of American comedy who make the...

Hotel Workers Go On Strike in Santa Monica Amid Negotiation Standstill

September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

The Union Is Urging Hotels to Instantly Increase Hourly Wages By Zach Armstrong Santa Monica hotel workers at Fairmont Miramar,...

(Video) Retailer Gets Palisades Into Spooky Season With Skeletons

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Skeletons are seen climbing onto the home goods retailer. @smmirrornews Retailer Gets Palisades Into Spooky Season With Skeletons. Skeletons are...

Another Burglar Hits Montana Avenue

September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

Adding to Other Recent Incidents at Some of the Road’s More Than 150 Dining Spots and Retailers By Zach Armstrong...