On January17, 2015  SMa.r.t. posted a prophetic article in the Daily Press written by Ron Goldman FAIA advocating maintaining a low rise (3-4 stories) development standard along the major boulevards. He also included a sketch showing the negative alternative of 6-7 story buildings. Naturally there was outrage and push back from the establishment. The mayor said “I saw it and was greatly dismayed by the hyperbolically inaccurate visual representation of what is possible under Santa Monica zoning.  You and the other architects must know better than that, and I was disappointed you would sign your names to that piece.  I can only hope that perhaps you didn’t see the accompanying images in advance.”

 Flash forward 8 eight years and sure enough the major boulevards are now up zoned in our most recent Housing Element to the 60’ to 70’  (5-6 stories) range with, and when given density bonuses for affordable housing, can balloon up to  82’-103’ (7-9 stories). 

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2023/03/sma-r-t-column-i-told-you-so/