ACTION Apartment Association

Santa Monica Tops List of Westside Cities with Most Registered Sex Offenders

10/07/2019 8:06 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

When Guido Germano, a former medical director at Cedars Sinai, registers by court order as a sex offender, he will join 55 other Santa Monica residents on California's Megan's list.

The other offenders on the list compiled under the State's 1996 Megan's law makes Santa Monica the Westside community with the most registered sex offenders, according to an analysis by the Lookout.

SMa.r.t. Column: Downtown Deception

10/04/2019 11:08 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Three weeks ago the Planning Commission approved a 140 unit eight story skyscraper downtown which meets all the requirements of the Downtown Community Plan, but misses several significant City urban goals. This building at 601 Colorado is a forerunner of a large number of similar projects which on paper meet the letter but not the intent of our codes.

The Downtown Plan was supposed to incentivize (primarily with bonuses from added density and parking reductions) the construction of multi bedroom apartments for families. If a developer wanted these bonuses by building larger Tier 2 and 3 type projects, not only would they pay extra fees and have to provide among other things more affordable units, but they would also have to meet a specific mix of unit types: 15 percent maximum studios, 20 percent minimum 2 bedroom apartments and 15 percent minimum three bedroom apartments.

Unfortunately, these large upcoming buildings by WS Communities (a progeny of NMS) among other developers, are not really full of multi-bedroom apartments but are a series of very small one bedroom apartments with a shared microscopic kitchen.

Federal Appeals Court Upholds Santa Monica's Home Sharing Law

10/04/2019 11:04 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A Federal Appeals Court on Thursday rejected a potential class-action lawsuit against the City that claimed its home sharing law, which bans leasing residential property short term unless the owner is present, is unconstitutional.

The unanimous decision by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals was the federal court's second major decision this year upholding the City's pioneering 2015 home sharing law.

AND: https://www.smdp.com/city-wins-again-in-homeshare-court-fight/180953

Is Your Home An Energy Vampire? Find Out With the DIY Sustainability Toolkit

10/02/2019 9:23 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

While you can't run and hide from your bills forever, fear not. The Santa Monica Public Library and the Office of Sustainability are here to help. Simply head over to smpl.bibliocommons.com to put a treat on hold for your home: the DIY Sustainability Toolkit.

Vacation rentals and misuse of rent-controlled housing now subject to $1,000 fines

10/01/2019 7:51 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Property owners who rent units subject to Santa Monica’s rent control laws at market rates or convert permanent housing into vacation rentals will face a $1,000 fine.

On Tuesday, the City Council unanimously voted to raise fines for unlawfully evicting rent-controlled tenants and operating vacation rentals. Councilmember Kevin McKeown said the higher fines will deter property owners from misusing rent-controlled housing, but also asked city staff to look into enforcing criminal penalties or daily fines to further discourage the practice.

Appeals Court Orders City to Cut Brief in Voting Rights Case

10/01/2019 7:47 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City of Santa Monica's draft of its brief in the voting rights lawsuit is far too long and must be substantially cut, although it can exceed the customary length, the California Court of Appeals ruled last week.

The City's original draft of more than 24,000 words must be edited down to 17,000 words, 4,000 less than the 21,000 words the City had requested, the court ruled Thursday.

City Hall streamlines the process for some building renovations

09/30/2019 2:08 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

It could soon get a lot easier for Santa Monica homeowners to remodel their houses and replace their landscaping.

The Architectural Review Board is planning to delegate approval of some projects to city staff, which would make it easier and faster for residents and businesses to renovate their properties. It would also allow the board to devote greater focus to larger projects.

SMa.r.t. Column: Is Santa Monica’s Heart For Sale?

09/28/2019 2:51 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Following is the first of several articles previously written about a proposed hotel project in the center of our downtown. It appears this behemoth of a project on Arizona between 4th & 5th is rearing its ugly head again and we all need to become involved with our neighborhood councils as this single project is one more stake thru the heart of our beach town and will determine whether our downtown becomes just a reflection of Los Angeles or maintains its beachfront character.

The euphemistically named “Plaza at Santa Monica” poses a very simple question of our downtown: Is our downtown just a giant ATM for developers?

Council Expands City Attorney's Investigative Powers, Outlaws Lying

09/28/2019 2:41 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Santa Monica City Council this week expanded the City Attorney's investigative powers and expressly prohibited making false statements to the City.

The two separate actions stemmed from concerns that property owners may be lying to avoid complying with Santa Monica's strict housing laws.

AND: http://backissues.smdp.com/092719.pdf

Santa Monica Hikes Fines for Housing Violations

09/28/2019 2:27 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Property owners who violate Santa Monica's housing laws will face much stiffer fines under a fee schedule adopted by the City Council on Tuesday.

The fines -- which will typically rise from $75 to $1000 -- include those for violating the City's home sharing and vacation rental laws.

The Council also directed staff to explore if the new fines are high enough to deter property owners, who stand to make significant profits, from violating the housing laws.