November 5, 2025
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SMa.r.t. Column: Saving a Failed Marriage – Part 2

Every 8 years, the state requires cities to update their planning code’s “housing element” to reflect the number of dwelling units that SCAG (Southern California Association of Governments) determines each city within their countywide jurisdiction […]

SMa.r.t. Column: Saving a Failed Marriage – Part 1

After several decades of wedlock and blind pursuit, our Santa Monica City Council finds itself in a failed marriage with the development community – succumbing to developers’ need and greed, to increased heights, densities and […]

SMa.r.t. Column: Planning Is a Vital Need

[We wrote this article 6.5 years ago. Today, the issues it raises continue to bedevil the city, and with more impact than ever. The results of the pandemic and the State-imposed requirement to provide building […]

SMa.r.t. Column: Citizen Victory!

Tuesday night Santa Claus brought Santa Monica a gift that we have waited 7 years for. That evening the City Council voted to end negotiations with the developer who wanted to put an oversized 12 […]

Santa Monica Under SCAG’s Boot

As most of you know the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is now forcing Santa Monica to permit 8873 new housing units (of which about 6000 need to be affordable) in the next 8 […]

SMart Column: A Better Ship of State

On Tuesday, December 8th, shortly after 5:30 PM, Oscar de la Torre, Christine Parra, and I will be among the Council Members sworn in to make decisions on your behalf as we try to right […]