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Santa Monica Real Estate Report – November 14th, 2022

11/15/2022 8:21 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

* City Approves Second Pedestrian-Only Promenade Like Space in Downtown
* England’s New Prime Minister Owns A $7.2M Dollar Santa Monica

See More: https://smmirror.com/2022/11/city-approves-second-pedestrian-only-promenade-like-space-in-downtown-santa-monica-real-estate-report-november-14th-2022/

Three Santa Monica Races Remain Close

11/15/2022 8:18 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In one of the close races, Councilmember Lana Negrete has been slowly expanding her lead over Natalya Zarnitskaya for the final spot in the race for three Council seats.

Neighborhood Groups Push Back on 'Gag Order'

11/15/2022 8:16 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

"Threatening to take away Neighborhood Associations' modest City funding and recognition, even if groups are in compliance with current non-profit organization regulations, would unnecessarily stifle public discourse," the NOMA Board wrote.

$5 million collected last year to offset new development

11/14/2022 8:21 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The fees are gathered in line with a 1987 state law that outlines how such fees can be collected.

On Tuesday, Santa Monica City Council will receive a report on the latest fees gathered for development in fiscal year 2021-22.

SMa.r.t. Column: Santa Monica Housing Development – Poison Pills, Bad Data and the Blame Game

11/14/2022 8:13 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Prior councils have made long term decisions that have locked the city into an extraordinarily fixed path, the consequences of which are only now becoming apparent to all stakeholders. In business, a loosely analogous strategy is called a “Poison Pill.” Poison Pills are generally used to prevent changes.

Friday Vote Tally Changes Little in Local Races

11/14/2022 8:08 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In the race for three open City Council seats, Rent Board Commissioner Caroline Torosis was still in first place more than 1,100 votes ahead of Jesse Zwick, while Zwick led Councilmember Lana Negrete by more than 2,300 votes.

Negrete added 19 votes to her margin Thursday, putting her 582 votes ahead of Natalya Zernitskaya, who remained in fourth place ahead of Armen Melkonians and Ellis Raskin.

Candidates, Ballot Measures Hold on to Leads as More Ballots Counted

11/11/2022 9:29 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The frontrunners in Santa Monica races held on to -- and in some cases padded -- their leads after the LA County Registrar unexpectedly released a new batch of votes Thursday afternoon.

AND: https://smdp.com/2022/11/11/torosis-zwick-negrete-maintain-council-lead-as-votes-trickle-in/

Next wave of election results expected Friday

11/10/2022 8:37 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

As of the last update, published online in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, Torosis had taken the top spot in the crowded field of city council candidates, collecting 8,327 votes. Behind her was Jesse Zwick with 7,321 votes, followed by incumbent Lana Negrete at 5,494 votes. But only about 550 votes separated Negrete, Ellis Raskin (5,002), Armen Melkonians (4,994) and Natalya Zernitskaya (4,943).

Feinstein is wrong

11/08/2022 8:35 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Mike Feinstein ignores too many details in his article about the “Lincoln Center” project — the one proposed for the Gelson’s site at the intersection of Ocean Park and Lincoln. The current situation is not residents’ or the Santa Monica City Council’s fault. It is the direct result of overreach by the State, which is imposing a mandate on municipalities that the State Constitution does not sanction — a mandate that ignores the characteristics that make certain communities desirable and that could result in converting Santa Monica into either Miami or Manhattan-by-the-Sea.

Brock Drops Support for Voting Rights Settlement

11/08/2022 8:25 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Efforts to settle a landmark voting rights lawsuit against the City have hit a major roadblock no matter who wins Tuesday's race for three open City Council seats, The Lookout has learned.

Councilmember Phil Brock said Sunday that he will not vote to settle the six-year-old California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) lawsuit before the California Supreme Court, likely eliminating the fourth vote needed to implement district-based elections.