415 PCH APPEALS At the special meeting of May 25, 2006, the Santa Monica City Council heard four appeals of Planning Commission and Landmarks Commission approvals of the 415 Pacific Coast Highway project for rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the former Marion Davies Estate as a public, beach-oriented recreation facility. The Council heard from appellants living near the site and from residents supporting the project, many of whom had participated in a “beach party” rally for the project on the lawn of City Hall prior to the meeting. After discussing the merits of the appellants’ concerns, which focused on the need for a traffic signal on PCH at the property entrance and a desire for a commitment from the city that the conditions of use would not change for a multi-year period, the Council 1) certified the final environmental impact report as modified, 2) denied the appeals, 3) approved the Development Review permit with conditions, 4) directed staff to immediately file an application with Caltrans for the signal and 5) added a condition to the Development Review permit that the city include in its application to the Coastal Commission all operational conditions, thereby giving the Coastal Commission a role in strengthening enforcement of conditions.

ORDINANCES Council held first reading on two ordinances proposed as a result of issues and matters that have arisen in the course of the 415 PCH project, but would not apply only to that project: 1) an ordinance, as amended, establishing that any interested person may bring a civil action to compel compliance with any condition of a land use permit against the landowner or permittee and 2) an ordinance, as amended, to reduce uncertainties and risks relating to the development of substantially charitably funded, city-owned public facilities by requiring expedited processing and review.

Council also held second reading and adopted ordinances 1) modifying zoning regulations pertaining to automobile dealerships, their parking structures and storage lots; 2) development design for projects in the downtown and 3) retention of grocery workers involving the transfer of ownership of large grocery establishments (all three ordinances were introduced on May 9, 2006).

Council also held first reading on an ordinance amending the Affordable Housing Development provisions of the Municipal Code related to condominium projects in multi-family zoning districts, including a voluntary option to provide rental units in line with Costa Hawkins legislation and adjusting the income eligibility threshold for affordable units, all effective May 25, 2006, with direction to staff to return with analysis for in-lieu fee options and the applicability of the Mello Act to Santa Monica.

ADMINISTRATIVE ITEM Rather than adopting a resolution opposing AB 2501, an unfunded state mandate that targets solely Santa Monica Airport for aircraft operations monitoring, the Council directed staff to work constructively with neighbors, our state legislators and L.A. Councilmember Rosendahl on long-term solutions for airport issues. Council directed staff to work with the author to amend the bill to fund substantially the cost of performing data collection, scope of study and duration. Council indicated they would oppose the bill unless the city’s administrative support costs do not exceed $35,000, as the city remains adamantly opposed to unfunded mandates.

COUNCILMEMBER ITEMS Council directed staff to communicate with Santa Monica College and the Santa Monica YMCA regarding cooperation and possible partnerships for mixed-used opportunities for the site at the southeast corner of Pico and 14th, including neighborhood-serving business and targeted affordable student housing.

Council heard from residents about continuing issues with hedge heights and the Mayor indicated he would be bringing the ordinance back for consideration of changes in the near future.

Finally, Council directed staff to commence research, schedule hearings, develop strategies and timelines, draft ordinances and otherwise prepare appropriate adjustments in zoning and other codes and policies to protect the community’s jurisdictional flexibility, quality of life and historical resources should the so-called “Anderson Initiative” qualify for the November statewide ballot and request staff to create a way, perhaps through a website, to solicit input and ideas from the community.

The next regular meeting of the Santa Monica City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, June 13, 2006, beginning at 5:45 p.m. in the wheelchair-accessible Council Chamber at City Hall. Council meetings are aired live on CityTV Channel 16 and on the Netcast on the city's website and, for regularly scheduled meetings from 8 p.m. to midnight on KCRW 89.9 FM.

NOTE: This wrap-up is not an official record of Council action. The official record is posted by the City Clerk on this website at http://www.smgov.net/cityclerk/council/agendas/2006/ as soon as possible after the meeting. (Click on the May 25 agenda link.)

SPECIAL NOTE: Council meetings are now video streamed on the web (http://santamonica.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2) and re-aired on CityTV2 cable channel 20.