The following is a letter from the Ocean Park Association (OPA) on a development that is set to bring 521 apartments and 36,000 square feet of retail space to the corner of Lincoln and Ocean Park boulevards.
Our Position:
Our bylaws state that “the purpose of OPA is to advocate for the residents of the Ocean Park neighborhood of Santa Monica. In support of its purpose, OPA will gather and disseminate information useful to these residents and engage in such charitable and educational activities as will promote the quality of life in this neighborhood.”
Recognizing the broad discretion that the “By Right” project designation provides developers, and thus the limitations for the community to influence the Lincoln Project, we will focus our attention on general education & awareness of the project, and advocacy on three areas where we can positively impact the project through discussions under the still required City
Architectural Review Board and Mobility Department reviews, as well as directly with the developer and any identified avenues:
1. Traffic and Traffic Safety
2. Affordable Housing Allocations
3. Needed Neighborhood Services
Conclusion:
We believe that more local housing for all is not just the law, it is good for the City and our neighborhoods. More housing will help young families, under-represented communities, older residents, and civic workers such as teachers, police officers and other first responders to afford to live here. It will help promote fairness and diversity of all kinds and maintain the vibrancy of Ocean Park and our City. We strive to play a role in how those goals are met in the short & long term.
OPA looks forward to continuing our mission in Ocean Park: to advocate, engage, educate, inform and, we must add, do our best to unite us in creating the best quality of life together & for us all.
OPA Board of Directors
