Public Notice: Proposed Development
Requires Urgent Revisions
Save the date: Join us on Tuesday, 6/25/2024, at 5:30 PM
The City of Santa Monica has approved the Housing Element, which uses 24 parcels of mostly existing public parking lots for affordable housing. With all its benefits, this initiative will affect our residents and businesses and must be developed responsibly. The developments at 1211-1217 14th St., 1217 Euclid St., and 1146 16th St. are the first and should set an example of collaborative, transparent, and successful development for all.
Our Stand: While we support affordable housing, we cannot accept these development proposals without crucial modifications. We need a stronger Community participation process led by City Staff, not an outside developer!
Immediate Action Required:
1. Join us on Tuesday, 6/25/2024, at 5:30 PM at City Hall Council Chambers 1685 Main Street, Room 250, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Attend the meeting and register with the Speaker Kiosk to comment in person. Prepare to speak for 1-2 minutes, starting with your name and address or connection to the topic. Public Comment is Agenda Item 1 and will happen between 5:30 and 6:30.
2. E-mail your written comment to councilmtgitems@santamonica.gov by noon Tuesday, 6/25, to be available for online viewing if you cannot join in person.
Please place in the subject line of your email: City of Santa Monica Regular Meeting Tuesday June 25, 2024 1. Public Input
cc: smdemandsafetyfirst@gmail.com so we can make sure your email is placed on the record.
Key Issues on the top of our minds:
- Neighborhood Safety: Our neighborhood already suffers from a massive public safety crisis, and we can’t afford to agree to any new actions that will worsen it. We are tired of living in fear! Using affordable housing commitment to place homeless supportive housing in the middle of a family-centric neighborhood and near Lincoln Middle School (1-2 blocks away) is unacceptable WITHOUT a reliable and sustainable safety plan and city guarantees to its residents. According to The People Concern’s RFP response materials (3/19/24), most of their clients are “Tri morbid individuals with co-occurring mental illness, substance addiction, and physical health issues”. The proposal lists mental health, drug, and alcohol treatment services available to the public. We know the risks very well and no longer accept them silently.
- Parking Elimination: Public Parking space is crucial for businesses and residents along the Wilshire corridor. Public parking MUST be replaced!
- Lack of Transparency: The city is pushing these developments through without proper community participation, with external developers driving the process. City staff must represent community members and neighborhoods. Stop outsourcing everything to developers and interested parties!
- Developer Credibility: We have serious concerns about Hollywood Community Housing and The People Concern's credibility due to numerous ongoing lawsuits and failed past financial audits.
- Insufficient Planning: The city staff has not communicated with or done their due diligence on the effects on the neighborhood. No current crime, traffic, or strain on the infrastructure has been assessed for two buildings of this massive size on the same block.