Mary Marlow

Even if you don’t live south of the 10 freeway, you will want to mark your calendar for Thursday, February 17, at 7 p.m. to listen and give input at a developer-led community meeting on the largest new housing project since the 1960’s on Lincoln and Ocean Park Blvd (Gelson’s site).

Here’s the ZOOM meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82892453793

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/a-very-bad-deal-for-residents-and-the-city-part-1/213268

Last month, San Francisco’s Budget and Legislative Analyst’s Office found that one in ten of the city’s homes and rental units are currently vacant. The report, which found that 40,458 homes and rental units had been left vacant for an extended period of time in 2019, shocked many in the city and across the state as California’s affordable housing crisis has gotten worse in recent years. The anger propelled Supervisor Preston to create the ballot petition in only a matter of days.

Read More: https://californiaglobe.com/articles/citywide-vacant-residential-unit-tax-ballot-measure-petition-kicked-off-in-san-francisco/

Now, an L.A. developer has a new approach to the so-called tenancy-in-common, or TIC, model, in which residents share ownership of the property. Instead of converting old, rent-controlled buildings into TIC properties, the developer is replacing single-family homes with new townhomes.

Read More: https://news.yahoo.com/controversial-home-ownership-model-gaining-130041506.html

The council passed a motion Tuesday introduced by councilmembers Paul Koretz and Bob Blumenfield, and seconded by Nithya Raman, instructing city planners and the L.A. Department of Building and Safety to prepare a memorandum to guide city departments and agencies in implementation of the law until the city adopts an official ordinance for its application.

Read More: https://www.audacy.com/knxnews/news/local/city-council-moves-to-implement-housing-densification-law

City supervisors Monday gave the initial thumbs-up to legislation to protect the formation of tenant associations that, like unions, could collectively bargain with landlords. Negotiations could cover a broad array of concerns, including aesthetics, construction schedules and even rent levels building-wide. The three-person Rules Committee voted unanimously to approve the protections, which now move to the full Board of Supervisors.

Read More: https://www.sfpublicpress.org/renters-on-verge-of-winning-collective-bargaining-rights-in-sf/

 Santa Monica City Council made mid-year adjustments to the City’s budget based on updated revenues and expenditures and received a five-year financial forecast. Although future economic uncertainty remains a factor, Santa Monica is entering a phase of recovery and restoration.

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2022/02/09/santa-monica-city-council-adopts-midyear-budget-adjustments-and-receives-updated-financial-forecast

One new idea, which was presented to the LA County Mental Health Commission in January, suggests sheltering people on the underutilized roofs of parking structures dotted around greater Los Angeles.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/new-proposal-for-housing-in-parking-garages/213105

The staff report recommends allocating funding for additional full and part-time staff hours that total to the equivalent of 32.1 full-time positions spread across the City’s departments. The plan also allocates funding towards parks and recreation programming, housing resources and library services.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/city-to-restore-services-and-rehire-over-30-positions-thanks-to-rebounding-economy/213108

Staff have begun drafting amendments to the Land Use and Circulation Element of the City’s General Plan, Bergamot Area Plan, Downtown Community Plan, and the Zoning Ordinance to facilitate the goals of the City’s Housing Element.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/planning-commission-discusses-zoning-changes-to-boost-housing-development/213063

SMa.r.t.

And we need a planning staff and director who listens to residents, not developers. Instead of raising heights and increasing density, we need to capitalize on our untapped zoning. We already have capacity for all the growth needed within our existing 3 and 4-story General Plan and previous Zoning Ordinance.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2022/02/santa-monicas-future-will-developers-or-residents-rule-part-5-our-future/