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City report rejects calls for downzoning in Pico neighborhood

12/03/2019 8:34 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Preventing renters in Santa Monica’s most diverse neighborhood from being displaced will require stronger eviction protections and more affordable housing, according to a recent report.

A report the city of Santa Monica released last week on preventing gentrification in the Pico neighborhood recommends enhancing tenant protections and building more affordable housing rather than downzoning the neighborhood, as the Pico Neighborhood Association has called for. Pico, a historically Latino and working-class neighborhood, has gentrified in recent years and struggled to retain long-term residents as rents rise.

City Wins Injunction in Tenant Harassment Case

11/27/2019 4:52 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Two landlords accused of repeatedly parking in a tenant's space, tossing belongings from their storage space and filing a false eviction have agreed to a judgment and court injunction, the City Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.

The injunction comes after the City's Consumer Protection Division filed claims against Hsing-Ching Hsieh et al in state court under Santa Monica's Tenant Harassment Ordinance.

AND: https://www.smdp.com/landlords-fined-for-harassing-tenants/183425

City Can Do Little to Stem Gentrification of Pico Neighborhood

11/27/2019 7:25 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

There is little the City can do to preserve the Pico Neighborhood outside of enhancing tenant protections, according to a report released by the Santa Monica Planning Department Monday.

The report addresses residents' calls to use zoning measures to stem the flood of gentrification plaguing Santa Monica's poorest and most diverse neighborhood and build more affordable housing.

City Halts Landscape Crews' Move to Airport

11/27/2019 7:24 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City will halt work on an $800,000 project to relocate the parks maintenance crews to Santa Monica Airport after neighboring residents vocally opposed the move, the City Manager announced Monday.

In his weekly report to City Councilmembers and staff Monday, City Manager Rick Cole said the City would heed the Airport Commission's recommendation last week and undertake a public process at the start of next year.

Mix reviews for Wellbeing Summit

11/25/2019 7:27 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

About 900 people attended the city of Santa Monica’s inaugural Wellbeing Summit last Saturday, according to event organizers.

Waiting for the cap on rents, California cities push back

11/25/2019 7:22 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Starting in January, a new state law will prohibit millions of California tenants from facing double-digit rent increases and being evicted unless they violate their leases.

But it’s not January yet.

In the interim, tenants across the state have been complaining that landlords are hiking their rents and issuing no-fault evictions before the law takes effect. And, in response, cities and counties have been passing emergency moratoria to stop it.

In the past six weeks, about three dozen local governments have approved rules to prevent evictions.

Santa Monica Landlord and Tenant Forum is December 4

11/21/2019 8:30 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

WHEN: Wednesday, December 4, 2019, 9 a.m. to noon

WHERE: Thelma Terry Building at Virginia Avenue Park, 2200 Virginia Avenue, Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – On Wednesday, December 4, Rent Control and the Consumer Protection Division of the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office will host the sixth annual Landlord/Tenant Forum.

Exactly Whose Well Being Did Santa Monica Summit, anyway?

11/21/2019 8:27 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

City holds a one-day, $250,000 "Wellbeing Summit" to discuss how happy the city's residents are, which made many residents unhappy.

Curious City – Wellbeing Is A Scooter?

11/20/2019 8:03 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

New Topic: WELLBEING SUMMIT

People asked me last week if I was going. All the talk, the promotion, the excitement! With no desire to emit negative vibes in positivity-drenched Santa Monica, I responded, at the risk of seeming like a doom merchant with his cynical mind made up — no.

We all know the story of the boy who cried wolf. So let’s just say that I have been to one too many forums put on by our City leaders for some grand purpose of gathering public opinion, to not believe that all such get togethers are suspect and a waste of time.

Height, Density Limits Curb Santa Monica's Ability to Meet Affordable Housing Goals

11/20/2019 7:55 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica will have to allow taller, denser buildings on major thoroughfares if it hopes to meet its affordable housing goals, according to a new report.

An analysis by HR&A Advisors, Inc. found that developments that set aside 20 percent of the units for low- and moderate-income tenants would not be financially feasible under the City's current standards for mixed-use residential developments.