ACTION Apartment Association

Council Takes Steps to Curb 'Medium-Term Rentals'

12/19/2018 9:03 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City Council Tuesday night took initial steps to curb "short-term rentals," formerly known as corporate rentals, which City officials say are eroding Santa Monica's rent-controlled housing.

The Council unanimously directed staff to draft an ordinance that could, among other things, restrict lessees to individuals and not corporations and require leases to be a minimum of 12 months.

The proposed law -- which would only apply to units in residential zones -- also could raise the fines and penalties for violators, impose a tax on units that are vacant and bar advertising of the units.

2018 Could Change the Course of Santa Monica Politics

12/19/2018 9:02 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica politics may never be the same after 2018. A voting rights lawsuit could pave the way for City Council Districts and a voter-approved initiative will restrict council members to three terms.

For only the third time in a quarter century, a Council member lost a bid for re-election, and for what is likely the first time, another Council member will step down after being elected to a statewide seat.

Here are the Lookout's top political stories of 2018.

Real Estate Agent Who Violated Santa Monica Homeshare Law Gets Increased Sentence

12/19/2018 9:01 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A local real estate agent who violated his diversion terms after being convicted of running an illegal vacation rental business in Santa Monica received an increased sentence last week, the City Attorney's office said Tuesday.

Shabi Jafri -- who unlawfully removed nine units from the city's rental housing market -- continued to engage in unlawful activities shortly after being sentenced in June to perform 140 hours of community service and pay the City $3,600.25 in investigation costs.

AND

https://smmirror.com/2018/12/convicted-illegal-vacation-rental-business-operator/

Allen bill tries to streamline affordable housing construction

12/17/2018 10:55 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The California state senator representing Santa Monica is looking to put a referendum on the ballot in 2020 that will make it easier for cities to build affordable housing.

Sen. Ben Allen is proposing repealing an amendment to the California state constitution voters approved in 1950 that requires cities to hold a citywide vote before funding any affordable housing project. Many cities work around Article 34 by asking residents to approve certain numbers of affordable units, creating a pool of approved units developers can then pull from to build new projects.

Venice Shelter Brings 150+ Beds to Westside

12/17/2018 10:43 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

On Tuesday, December 11, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a plan to build a bridge housing shelter at the old Metro Transit Authority (MTA) lot on Main Street in Venice, less than 2,000 feet from Santa Monica, a proposal that has been a topic of heated debate among many local residents.

Venice has the highest concentration of homeless individuals on the Westside, with nearly 1,000 people experiencing homelessness and according to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, and 85 percent of these people are unsheltered.

“If we keep saying no to housing and to shelter, we allow the status quo to continue,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Mike Bonin, who represents Venice.

AND: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2018/12/15/news/venice-homeless-shelter-approved-154-beds-for-temp-shelter/3761.html

Council to debate options for evicting corporate housing from the city

12/15/2018 3:58 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

City Council will embark on a wide-ranging discussion of corporate housing in Santa Monica at their Tuesday meeting to eventually craft more specific rules that will prevent permanent housing from being used for temporary residences.

According to City Staff, the corporate housing problem is still small compared to the broader housing market but there are signs developers and landlords are looking to explore the corporate housing market. Staff said existing rules do not adequately cover the kinds of housing options available and direction is needed from Council to guide new policies.

12 Story Building Proposed for 4th Street and Arizona Goes to Planning Commission

12/15/2018 3:48 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A draft environmental impact report has been released for a controversial mixed-use project proposed for the corner of 4th Street and Arizona Avenue in downtown Santa Monica. The project is somewhat scaled back from its original conception where it would have risen to 148 feet in height. This version reaches 129 feet (12 stories) at its highest, which would be along a new east-west alley in the middle of the block.

Judge Bars Elections Under Santa Monica's Current At-Large System

12/15/2018 3:41 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

December 14, 2018 -- The Superior Court judge in a voting rights lawsuit against the City issued an amended tentative ruling made public Friday barring any elections under Santa Monica's current at-large system.

The ruling issued Wednesday by Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos requires that all future City Council elections be district-based elections "as defined by the California Voting Rights Act, and in accordance with the map attached hereto."

AND

https://smmirror.com/2018/12/judges-tentative-decision-orders-district-elections-for-santa-monica/

AND City's Statement: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2018/12/15/court-issues-amended-tentative-decision-in-cvra-trial

Realtor associations awarding assistance grants to Woolsey Fire homeowners

12/14/2018 9:24 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Through a $1 million gift from the National Association of Realtors Relief Foundation, the California Association of Realtors is offering disaster relief grants up to $2,000 per household to provide assistance with mortgage relief or temporary housing.

Read More on pg. 3: http://backissues.smdp.com/121418.pdf

City Settles with Tenant Accused of "Bizarre and Harassing Behavior"

12/14/2018 9:10 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A Santa Monica tenant who engaged in "bizarre and harassing behavior" to force subtenants to "flee" her apartment has reached a final settlement with the City, the City Attorney's office announced Thursday.

The lawsuit filed in Santa Monica Superior Court earlier this year accuses Patricia Anglano of "harassing multiple sub-tenants and potential renters and taking money from them under false pretenses," officials said.