ACTION Apartment Association

Santa Monica may have to build almost 5,000 units by 2029

10/21/2019 7:15 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The city of Santa Monica’s Planning Commission says it’s time for Santa Monica to reopen the conversation around upzoning in the wake of new state efforts to address California’s housing shortage and lack of affordable housing.

Santa Monica will likely have to support taller and denser development in response to recent legislation aimed at boosting housing construction and an upcoming mandate that cities across California build thousands of new housing units, commissioners said at a meeting Wednesday. The city will likely be required to build 4,800 affordable and market-rate units from 2021 to 2029.

City Files Opening Brief in Voting Rights Appeal

10/21/2019 7:07 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

An opening appellate brief filed Friday by the City argues that upholding the trial court's decision in the voting rights case would dilute, instead of enhance, Latino voting strength.

By ordering the City to hold district elections, the lower court contradicted the purpose of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) and invalidated the at-large election system chosen by Santa Monica voters in 1946, the City argued.

Downtown has a new “Park”

10/18/2019 3:49 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A large development at 500 Broadway that has been in the works for five years officially has a name and an opening date.

The 249 apartments in The Park will be ready for leasing by late 2021, developer The Witkoff Group announced Thursday ahead of a groundbreaking ceremony that evening. The seven-story project at Fred Segal’s former Downtown Santa Monica location will also contain 55,000 square feet of retail space and a four-level, 200-car underground parking structure.

SMa.r.t. Column: The Plaza at Santa Monica’s Groundhog Day (Part 1)

10/18/2019 3:44 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

SMa.r.t. group’s note: The proposed Plaza at Santa Monica, a massive project at 5th and Arizona, is coming up for approval after generating controversy and opposition by many residents for four years. This article, by our colleague Thane Roberts, was originally written some four years ago and its main critique–that the project is too big, too unfriendly to the environment, and located in the wrong place–remains on point.

City Hires Two Labs to Conduct Water Quality Tests

10/17/2019 5:41 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City Council on Tuesday approved contracts totaling more than $3 million with two laboratories that will analyze Santa Monica's water quality over the next five years.

The larger contract will pay Weck Laboratories $2.35 million for laboratory analysis of drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, groundwater and urban runoff for the Public Works Department.

Eurofins Eaton Analytical, LLC was awarded a $1 million contract over five years to "provide flexibility and to help ensure timely reporting of water quality results."

Santa Monica Announces New Budget Task Force

10/15/2019 3:48 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica’s Budget Task Force has been selected as a strong balance of thoughtful and talented community and staff members. This group will evaluate ideas generated by City Departments and make recommendations to the City Manager for:

Fiscal Year 2020-2021: $1.5 million in budget reductions
Fiscal Years 2021-2025: A minimum of $2.5 million in reductions

Rent-controlled buildings will stay that way

10/15/2019 7:41 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Rent Control Board has clarified existing rules stipulating landlords may not take rent-controlled apartments off the market and later rent them at market rate.

The Rent Control Board voted unanimously Thursday to clarify that a previously rent-controlled unit that is no longer on the rental market will become subject to rent control if its owner decides to put it back on the market. The board’s action comes two months after a final ruling in a legal battle between the board and a landlord that brought a 13-unit apartment building at 1041 20th St. back under rent control.

Great California ShakeOut prompts earthquake safety discussion

10/14/2019 1:55 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

On Thursday, Oct. 17, at 10:17 a.m., participating cities, organizations and citizens across the state will participate in the 12th annual drill that aims to help residents practice their “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” skills.

A natural catastrophe could strike at any time with very little warning, according to the city’s Chief Resilience Officer Lindsay Call, who spoke on earthquake safety at a recent community event hosted at the Santa Monica Public Library.

California voters may be asked to steer homeless to services

10/11/2019 9:58 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

California voters could decide next year whether to create new county courts to steer homeless people to mental health and drug addiction treatment programs.

Former Assemblyman Mike Gatto, a Democrat, proposed a ballot measure on Thursday aimed at providing services to people who commit crimes like defecating in public or using drugs.

How will California’s new rent cap affect me?

10/10/2019 2:45 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The law limits yearly rent increases at 5% plus inflation for the next 10 years. Had the policy been in place this year, rent increases in the Los Angeles area would be limited to 8.3% while those in San Francisco would have been capped at 9%.

There are a number of exceptions to these rules. The rent cap would not apply to apartments built within the last 15 years or single-family home rentals unless they’re owned by corporations or other institutional investors.