Column: NIMBYs Getting a Bad Rap
By Tom Elias Rarely has a major group of Californians suffered a less deserved rash of insults and attacks than the myriad homeowners often described as “NIMBYs” – an acronym for folks who may favor […]
SMa.r.t. Column: New City Financial Plan – The Resident Homeowner Bank
Part 1 of 2 In this two-part article, we will discuss both the proposed transfer tax ballot initiative and the fundamental shift in city residential/commercial composition that will drive further emphasis on direct taxation of […]
Column: Tackling Childcare Costs
Finding affordable, quality childcare is essential for many working parents. The current shortage of care options is helping drive up costs for parents across the nation. If you know you will be needing childcare coverage […]
SMa.r.t. Column: Tunneling for Mobility
Editor’s note: this is an April Fools Day column and is intended to be satire. Starting this year permits from the Santa Monica Planning Department will require a new additional fee called “Travel Demand Forecasting […]
SMa.r.t. Column: The Value of Our Boulevards
Following is a composite of past articles dealing with the accelerated demise of our beachfront environment together with the increasing control of the development community over City Council and Planning staff, and the re-direction we […]
Column: Demise of R-1 Zoning Will Lead to New Blockbusting
By Tom Elias, Columnist Blockbusting. A technique used to encourage people to sell their property by giving the impression that a neighborhood is changing for the worse, causing property values to decline. The property is […]
SMa.r.t. Column: Ferrari vs. Prius
(part 2 of a 2 part article) Last week’s article covered why there is negligible population growth pressure in spite of the common misconception of a housing “shortage”, and ended with the question: why can’t […]
Column: Santa Monica Police Officers Association Endorse Mike Newhouse for CD11
Those dealing first-hand with Los Angeles’s homeless policies know who can clean up the mess! By Nick Antonicello The Santa Monica Police Officers Association (SMPOA) strongly endorsed Mike Newhouse for Council district 11. Given the […]
SMa.r.t. Column: The Mythical Need for ‘Growth’
(a two part article) Our City is currently in the struggle to change its zoning laws, primarily by height increases, to issue enough building permits to increase our population by about 20% (8,895 units) in […]
SMa.r.t. Column: The Development at Ocean Park & Lincoln
The recent zoom presentation of the proposed project at Ocean Park Blvd & Lincoln Blvd., frequently referred to as ‘the Gelson’s development’, stirred memories of past projects I studied in City Planning courses while in […]
What to Know About Santa Monica’s $3.5M ‘Restorative Justice Program’ (Video)
The City Council unanimously launched a $3.5 million Restorative Justice Program — one of the largest locally funded efforts of...
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Malibu Oceanfront Lot with Rebuild Potential Listed for $1.9M
Buyers can rebuild under Malibu’s Fast Track Rebuild Program, with potential for up to 3,433 square feet of livable space,...
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