The issue of the 16 ‘Builder’s Remedy’ applications that were filed during the time period when Santa Monica’s Housing Element was rejected by the State of California may turn into a legal battle as reported by The Real Deal.com. 

Doug Sloan, the Santa Monica city attorney, said, as quoted by The Real Deal.com “We did engage outside counsel. It’s important to realize that, when looking at this builder’s remedy issue and the Housing Element law, the rules were not always very clear, and it was somewhat of a moving target from the state.” during a Santa Monica City Council meeting. 

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2022/11/legal-battle-in-the-future-for-santa-monica-following-builders-remedy-debacle/

See Video: https://smmirror.com/2022/11/a-mix-use-building-on-santa-monica-and-3rd-street-set-to-be-sold-at-auction-santa-monica-real-estate-report-november-7th-2022/

According to the only professional poll conducted for the Council race, Negrete, the lone incumbent in the race, held a comfortable lead six weeks ago, followed by Melkonians, who along with Negrete is backed by Santa Monicans for Change and the City's police are firefighters unions.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2022/November-2022/11_06_2022_Council_Race_May_Be_More_About_Power_Than_Issues.html

Santa Monica residents can take advantage of two programs that will pay you to upgrade your outdoor space into a sustainable garden.

See More: https://smmirror.com/2022/11/get-cash-for-grass-with-two-sustainable-landscaping-rebate-programs/

Santa Monica's low cap on candidate donations has bolstered the influence of both unknown donors from outside the City and powerful political players from within.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2022/November-2022/11_03_2022_A_Few_Donors_Carry_Heavy_Clout_in_Local_Races.html

Strengthened by the Council in 2010, the law bans smoking within 20 feet of doors or open windows, in common areas and on private balconies, patios and other areas "from which smoke can travel to other units and common areas," according to City officials. But it doesn't address smoking in a public right-of-way around the building or how the ordinance can be enforced.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2022/November-2022/11_03_2022_Council_Revisits_Smoking_Ordinance.html

With rental prices skyrocketing and affordable housing in short supply, inflation-weary tenants in cities and counties across the country are turning to the ballot box for relief. Supporters say rent control policies on the Nov. 8 ballot are the best short-term option to dampen rising rents and ensure vulnerable residents remain housed.

Read More: https://smdp.com/2022/11/02/as-housing-prices-surge-rent-control-is-back-on-the-ballot/

This is a hotly contested City Council election with 3 seats open. Political office here doesn’t come cheap. A little help from your friends goes toward candidates gaining a winning edge.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/letters/Letters-2022/11_02_2022_OPINION_Whos_Backing_City_Council_Candidates.html

If a widely publicized "rent relief" program is any indication, City officials have been vastly overestimating the number of "rent-burdened" households in Santa Monica.

A total of 563 households applied for the City's “Rent Control Adjustment Relief” (RCAR) program, fewer than one-tenth of 6,000 the very low-income households City officials say are paying more than half of their income in rent.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2022/November-2022/11_01_2022_City_Could_Be_Vastly_Overestimating_Rent_Burdened_Households.html

See More: https://smmirror.com/2022/10/new-mixed-use-building-on-wilshire-to-provide-71-units-of-housing-santa-monica-real-estate-report-october-31st-2022/