John Alle, the Santa Monica activist, business owner, and founding member of the Santa Monica Coalition who was attacked by a drugged homeless individual on Tuesday, wrote us to clear up some misconceptions that have been circulating in other news outlets.

Read More: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2023/09/25/news/john-alle-clears-the-record-on-the-attack-against-him-in-palisades-park/7807.html

John Alle -- a Downtown business activist known for his crusading efforts to fight crime and anti-social behavior -- was hospitalized after being attacked by a homeless man in Palisades Park Tuesday afternoon, according to police.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2023/September-2023/09_21_2023_Downtown_Activist%20Attacked%20in%20Palisades%20Park.html

Local real estate developer Worthe Real Estate Group is set to propose a five-story, 60 residential unit mixed-use development at the north-east corner of Colorado Avenue and 4th Street at the Santa Monica Architectural Review Board’s next meeting.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2023/09/developer-to-propose-five-story-mixed-use-project-across-metro-terminus/

The proposal before RCB this week adds additional definitions to the rules clarifying the Ellis Act has a “good faith” intent qualification.

“These amendments clarify the definition of good faith and require owners to attest to their intent to leave the rental business in the Notice of Intent that is filed with the agency. They also include some factors for determining good faith, which will assist both landlords and tenants as well as provide a resource for hearing officers and judges in adjudicating cases where the landlord’s intent is in question,” said the report.

In addition to the clarifying language, the proposal also reiterates the existing repercussions for violations of the rules including rejecting Ellis applications.

Read More:https://smdp.com/2023/09/13/rent-control-board-wants-landlords-who-evict-tentans-to-go-out-of-business-voluntarily/

The final days of the 2023 legislative session are producing new pro-housing laws that close legal loopholes often used to block or delay projects.

On one day last week, the Legislature sent two major pro-housing bills to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Read More: https://smdp.com/2023/09/12/california-housing-policy-takes-two-steps-forward-and-one-back/

Proponents of both fighting and settling the voting rights lawsuit against the City are stepping up their lobbying efforts as the City Council prepares to discuss the issue in closed session Tuesday.

The item was placed on the agenda some three weeks after the California Supreme Court sent the case back to an Appellate Court that had ruled in favor of the City in July 2020 ("Supreme Court Reverses Voting Rights Ruling," August 24, 2023).

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2023/September-2023/09_11_2023_Lobbying_Efforts_Pick_Up_Steam_in_Voting_Rights_Case.html

We appreciate the City Council's recent stated dedication to issues of racial justice and equity. Yet, the City's expenditure of millions of dollars to maintain its fight against the California Voting Rights Act and the voting rights it protects, stands in stark contrast.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/letters/Letters-2023/09_11_2023_OPINION_Its_Time_to_End_Citys_Voting_Rights_Fight.html

But hold your horses! It’s not just individuals who are vying for a spot on the Planning Commission. Oh no, political groups have their paws in this game too. As soon as the commission openings are announced (and usually even before), these organizations kick into high gear behind the scenes. They’re like frenzied paparazzi, desperately seeking a Commissioner who will represent their interests. People are approached left and right, like talent scouts on the prowl. Suitable candidates’ names are passed around like hot potatoes to gather responses from the faithful. It’s a mad, mad world of influence and leverage, where politically connected candidates rub shoulders with unaffiliated freelancers.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2023/09/s-m-a-r-t-column-the-battle-for-the-planning-commission-a-circus-of-political-maneuvers/

The Project Calls for 570 Housing Units

The Santa Monica City Council is set to vote on authorizing a downtown development at the block bounded by Olympic and Colorado and 4th and 5th Streets.

The project, in agreement with California-based AMCAL Multi-Housing, Inc. and Texas-based Gen-Land LLC, calls for approximately 570 housing units. AMCAL also proposed to acquire the adjacent 27,176 square foot office/commercial building at 1640 5th Street, known as the “Comma Building”, from Lincoln Properties, for more housing units. Because the proposal relies on the Comma Building sale, a tri-party agreement between the City, AMCAL and Lincoln properties is required.

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2023/09/council-to-vote-on-downtown-affordable-housing-development/

At their Tuesday meeting, Council will consider an exclusive negotiating agreement with a group of housing providers for a bundle of lots on 5th Street between Olympic and Colorado as part of a Surplus Land Act sale. If approved, the deal would replace two commercial office buildings and one parking lot with a large housing development that would include affordable and market rate units.

Read More: https://smdp.com/2023/09/07/sale-of-downtown-properties-could-result-in-570-new-housing-units/