Santa Monica Planning Commission Recommends Approval of the Downtown Community Plan 6 to 1
June 1, 2017 3:02 PM
SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Last night, May 31, 2017, the Santa Monica Planning Commission voted 6 to 1 to recommend approval of the final draft Downtown Community Plan (DCP) before it goes to City Council in July. Commissioners, dozens of community members, and City staff participated in six meetings between April 26 and May 31, 2017, and 22 DCP-related meetings over the course of the six-year planning process. The recent meetings covered all areas of the 300-page blueprint for the future of Downtown Santa Monica as a thriving neighborhood, public gathering space, and business district.
“I’m so proud of this plan. It does such an amazing job of changing land use patterns in terms of density and mobility options and by doing that creates a lot of access and opportunity. And it does it in a really smart, thoughtful, and honest way,” said Planning Commission Chair Amy Anderson at the conclusion of last night’s meeting.
The Planning Commission recommended approval of the DCP subject to the following major items:
- An expedited process for typical housing projects to further strengthen the “housing first” approach the DCP takes towards development.
- Additional incentives for 100% affordable housing projects including height and density bonuses.
- Improved design standards to reduce building mass while providing open spaces, access to light and air, and variety in architectural styles.
- Innovative strategies to improve access and mobility with specific actions to increase resident access to Downtown.
- Removal of a special process to approve projects on three Established Large Sites.
"We are grateful for the deep commitment and sincerity of everyone that participated in the last two months of discussion on the DCP. The time and thought that were dedicated to refining the vision for Downtown has added tremendous value and was worth the extra time it took to get it right,” said Planning and Community Development Director David Martin.
With Planning Commission approval, the DCP will be heard by City Council in a special meeting on Monday, July 10 and at its regular meetings on Tuesday, July 11 and Tuesday, July 25. All meetings will be held at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers located at 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Here’s a look at other public hearings on the DCP in June.
- Landmarks Commission – Monday, June 12, 7 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street, Room 213
- Housing Commission – Thursday, June 15, 4:30 p.m. at Ken Edwards Center, 1527 4th Street
- Architectural Review Board – Monday, June 19, 7 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street, Room 213
Press release for DCP release 4/13 >
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