Every so often SMart invites a guest columnist to write an article about local planning issues. This week and next we have invited Dick Platkin, a former planner for the City of Los Angeles, who […]

Last week our colleague Thane Roberts, in a reprise of an article from four years ago, said: “Insanity was once defined as doing the same thing over again and expecting a different result. Once again, […]

SMa.r.t. group’s note: The Plaza at Santa Monica project, at 5th and Arizona, has been generating controversy since it was originally proposed several years ago. After years of discussion and opposition by many residents, the […]

Three weeks ago the Planning Commission approved a 140 unit eight story skyscraper downtown which meets all the requirements of the Downtown Community Plan, but misses several significant City urban goals. This building at 601 […]

Following is the first of several articles previously written about a proposed hotel project in the center of our downtown. It appears this behemoth of a project on Arizona between 4th & 5th is rearing […]

Residents are lamenting the turn our beach town has taken in the last few years, and sadly it is not for the better. Mom & Pop stores and services are closing. Crime is up significantly. […]

Last week’s article covered the start of the community effort to get a new multipurpose sports field at the corner of Pico and 4th Street. After months of deliberations, on July 2, 2002 the City […]