August 13, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Downtown Community Plan – A Plan for Developers, or Residents?

The most glaring problem I see with the proposed Downtown Community Plan (DCP) is that it has retained several locations referred to as opportunity sites. These sites represent increases in uses that we already have in sufficiency i.e. office, hotel, high end retail and unaffordable housing. More of these can only succeed in exacerbating our traffic problems and the strain on our infrastructure. They simply provide more benefit to developers and not the residents.

Perhaps the largest of these is the City owned property at 4th and Arizona, which I and many believe should be an open urban plaza not unlike those found in small- and medium-sized cities throughout the world. We know there is a proposed development agreement pending there. No definitive commitment has been offered in the proposed plan. This property is the seed from which the rest of our downtown, a renewed downtown, will develop and by which our city will be forever impacted, for better or worse. In that light, any development on this property other than an urban plaza should require voter approval. Other public lands used for fire or police services should be exempt from a public vote, although should not exceed the zoning requirements.

In order to maintain the lower scale, which has historically been the hallmark of much of downtown, I recommend that all new development should be limited to the allowable zoning heights of 45ft along Ocean Avenue and five stories maximum elsewhere. I am in accord with the Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) proposal that any development over 50,000 sq. ft. should require a City Council vote of five rather than a simple majority.

The five story height should be predicated on designs that widen the pavement and/or increase public accessible open space at grade. Alternatively, significant setbacks of upper floors should also factor into consideration for a height increase. In this regard illustrations shown in the planning document don’t go far enough.

Projects that are remodels of existing developments or earthquake repair should, of course, be required to submit to Planning, Landmarks and/or Design Review, as well as the Department of Building and Safety and should be able to build back the square footage and footprint they have and that such projects should be expedited through the approval process.

To be sure there are elements of this plan that with some minor modification could be very acceptable to the residents. The inclusion of a public plaza, and vest pocket parks and paseos at various locations, will better serve the growing resident population of downtown. The plan should encourage developers to allow for more neighborhood commercial, small cafes, groceries, cleaners and the like on the streets or even at the alleys.

The City’s Mobility Plan needs a schedule of implementation for all of the modes outlined in the DCP. It should not only enhance movement downtown but provide access to downtown from all neighborhoods as well, with special attention to the needs of our older population.

Affordable housing, or the lack thereof, is another major issue which, needs to be addressed in the downtown plan, but not in the piecemeal and poorly administered way it has been by developers merely seeking the perks afforded them for questionable community benefits. Neither should these units be relegated to freeway adjacent properties. The DCP should consider the potential for some city land in or near downtown to be dedicated for this use. Do it right and we might yet earn the mantle of one of the most progressive small cities in the country.

The DCP should in its design section, at the minimum, allude to the necessity of all new buildings needing the solar access requirements of its neighbors for light as well as for electrical generating.

Lastly, I would have liked to see at the very least a mention of a contingency plan regarding the effects of climate change on the downtown’s Pacific Ocean border by for the projected 10’ rise in sea level by the end of this century. Perhaps we think we can kick the can down the road regarding this.

I am quite sure that my colleagues will in further articles comment on all aspects of the proposed DCP.

SMa.r.t. (Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow). Thane Roberts AIA, Architect, Robert H. Taylor AIA, Mario Fonda-Bonardi AIA, Daniel Jansenson Architect, Samuel Tolkin AIA, Phil Brock, Santa Monica Arts Commission.Samuel Tolkin, Architect

For SM.a.r.t: Thane Roberts AIA, Architect, Robert H. Taylor AIA, Mario Fonda-Bonardi AIA, Daniel Jansenson Architect, Ron Goldman FAIA, Phil Brock, Santa Monica Arts Commission.

 

in News
<>Related Posts

Councilwoman Unveils Palisades Rebuild Plan Prioritizing Victim Housing and Fire Safety

August 13, 2025

August 13, 2025

Developed through hundreds of conversations, town halls, and surveys, the plan addresses critical needs Councilwoman Traci Park unveiled a detailed...

Theatre Review: The Fantasticks Playing at the Ruskin Theatre Group

August 12, 2025

August 12, 2025

The original production of The Fantasticks premiered on May 3, 1960, at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in New York’s Greenwich...

Santa Monica EV Station Opens with 20 Hyper-Fast Chargers, Among Nation’s Most Powerful

August 12, 2025

August 12, 2025

The launch comes as the state continues to lead the nation in EV ownership, accounting for roughly half of all...

As High School Resumes, Santa Monica Businesses Offer Discounts to Faculty and Students

August 12, 2025

August 12, 2025

Restaurants and cafes near the schools are offering 10% off purchases with a valid high school ID, while retailers are...

Palisades High Parents Frustrated by $450 Parking Fees at Temporary Santa Monica Campus

August 12, 2025

August 12, 2025

 While the city touts the 72% discount off its standard $20 daily rate as an accommodation, some Palisades parents say...

Red Bull Origin Returning to Venice Beach, Honoring Skateboarding’s Roots and Future

August 11, 2025

August 11, 2025

Running from September 5 to 7, the event will feature top skateboarders from around the world competing on recreations of...

Mountain Lion Euthanized After Attacking 11-Year-Old Outside Malibu Home

August 11, 2025

August 11, 2025

Wildlife Officials Say the Girl Was Bitten Near Her Family’s Chicken Coop Wildlife officers shot and killed a mountain lion...

Santa Monica is Hiring a Housing and Human Services Operations Director. Here’s What the Qualifications Are

August 11, 2025

August 11, 2025

The city is looking for a candidate with substantial experience in affordable housing development, homelessness intervention, and human services. Beyond...

Brand New Palisades Estate Designed by Ken Ungar Enters Market at $22.5M

August 11, 2025

August 11, 2025

The listing comes amid continued demand for ultra-luxury housing in Los Angeles’ Westside neighborhoods, where properties exceeding $20 million remain...

10-Unit Venice Apartment Complex Steps from Oceanfront Lists for $4.6M

August 10, 2025

August 10, 2025

The property offers significant investment potential, with up to eight of the 10 units available vacant at close of escrow...

Man Arrested After Alleged Sexual Assault of Sunbather on Santa Monica Beach

August 10, 2025

August 10, 2025

An officer used footage to identify a possible suspect near 5th and Olympic Boulevard A man was recently arrested after...

Shannen Doherty’s Malibu Sanctuary Hits the Market for $9.45 Million

August 10, 2025

August 10, 2025

“Beverly Hills, 90210” Star’s Is Listed a Year After Her Death. The Malibu home where actress Shannen Doherty spent two...

Entertainment Firm Extends Long-Term Commitment to Santa Monica Office Hub

August 10, 2025

August 10, 2025

The property underwent extensive renovations in recent months, including a full seismic upgrade, a redesigned main lobby The Swig Company...

County Launches Mental Health Initiative for Veterans

August 9, 2025

August 9, 2025

The program is designed to eliminate barriers to mental health services by offering veterans direct access to free emotional support,...

Mural “The Healing Fields” Unveiled in LA as Part of Anti-Hate Campaign

August 9, 2025

August 9, 2025

The mural was created with the help of community healers and formerly incarcerated leaders, including Tobias Tubbs and Kenneth Webb,...