Santa Monica public meetings in 2021
19 substantive meetings from 2021, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will hold a study session on updating the Land Use and Circulation Element, Bergamot Area Plan, Downtown Community Plan, and Zoning Ordinance for consistency with the 6th Cycle Housing Element. Consent calendar items include a Conditional Use Permit for a pet hotel (Wag Hotel) at 1643-1653 19th Street and an amendment to extend delivery hours for alcohol at 3212 Wilshire Boulevard (BevMo!). No public hearings are scheduled.
- Conditional Use Permit for Wag Hotel kennel at 1643-1653 19th Street (15,922 sq ft) in Industrial Conservation district
- Amend Conditional Use Permit for BevMo! at 3212 Wilshire Boulevard to allow alcohol delivery 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. and non-alcohol 24/7
- Study session on amending LUCE, Bergamot Area Plan, Downtown Community Plan, and Zoning Ordinance for Housing Element consistency
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider recommending to the City Council the adoption of Santa Monica's 6th Cycle (2021-2029) Housing Element and certify the Final Environmental Impact Report. This is the primary substantive item on the special meeting agenda.
- Public hearing on recommendation to City Council for adoption of 6th Cycle Housing Element and certification of Final Environmental Impact Report
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing regarding the adoption of Santa Monica's 6th Cycle (2021-2029) Housing Element. The discussion includes the certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report and various updated appendices.
- Recommendation on Santa Monica's 6th Cycle (2021-2029) Housing Element
- Certification of Final Environmental Impact Report for the 6th Cycle Housing Element
- Review of Revised Appendix F, Suitable Sites Inventory Report
- Review of Revised Appendix E, Constraints on Housing
Planning Commission
The commission will discuss proposed redline revisions to the 6th Cycle (2021-2029) Housing Element and provide direction to staff for preparing a final public hearing draft. They will also consider a resolution of intention to allow tattoo and body modification parlors as a permitted use in mixed-use, commercial, and downtown districts, subject to special standards. The remainder of the agenda is procedural.
- Resolution of Intention to amend Zoning Ordinance to allow tattoo/body modification parlors as a permitted use in MUBL, MUB, GC, NC, and Downtown districts
- Discussion and possible direction on redline revisions to Santa Monica's 6th Cycle (2021-2029) Housing Element
- Proposed redline changes to Appendix B: Housing Needs Assessment
- Proposed redline changes to Appendix E: Housing Constraints
- Proposed redline changes to Appendix F: Suitable Sites Inventory Report
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a resolution of intention to recommend amending the Official Districting Map for consistency with the 6th Cycle Housing Element. They will also discuss responses to state HCD comments on the draft Housing Element and preliminary draft amendments to the Land Use and Circulation Element, Bergamot Area Plan, Downtown Community Plan, and Zoning Ordinance to align with the Housing Element. No final decisions are expected; the meeting includes discussion and possible direction to staff.
- Public hearing on Resolution 21-009 declaring intention to consider recommending City Council amend the Official Districting Map for 6th Cycle Housing Element consistency
- Discussion of August 30, 2021 letter from California Department of Housing and Community Development on draft Housing Element
- Discussion of preliminary draft amendments to Land Use and Circulation Element, Bergamot Area Plan, Downtown Community Plan, and Zoning Ordinance for Housing Element consistency
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a resolution of intention to recommend amendments to several land-use plans (LUCE, Bergamot Area Plan, Downtown Community Plan, Civic Center Specific Plan) for consistency with the 6th Cycle Housing Element. They will also discuss concepts for further amendments to these plans and the Zoning Ordinance. No other substantive items are on the agenda.
- Public hearing on Resolution 21-008 (PCS) declaring intention to amend land-use plans for housing element consistency
- Discussion on concepts for amendments to LUCE, BAP, DCP, CCSP, and Zoning Ordinance per 6th Cycle Housing Element
- Consideration of proposed revised development standards from a feasibility study
- Planning Director's report on recent City Council actions and development projects
- No approvals of minutes or statements of official action
Planning Commission
The commission will hold a public hearing on a text amendment to allow hotel uses in existing buildings without minimum ground floor height, and amendments to a conditional use permit to expand and reconfigure the Shore Hotel at 1515-1525 Ocean Avenue. The project includes creation of a micro-hotel with 14 rooms, a café, an 80-seat restaurant with bar, and massage services. Additionally, the commission will receive an update on the Housing Element and discuss its draft before transmittal to the state. Item 7A concerns denial of conditional use permits at 849 Ocean Avenue.
- Public hearing on text amendment and conditional use permit for Shore Hotel expansion at 1515-1525 Ocean Avenue and 1530 2nd Street
- Proposed micro-hotel: 34 beds in 14 new rooms within 2,495 sq ft converted and 1,505 sq ft new floor area
- Proposed conversion of 580 sq ft to ancillary café with patio and alcohol service
- Conversion of existing breakfast room to 80-seat restaurant with bar, patio, amplified music, dancing, and alcohol service
- Denial of conditional use permits (20ENT-0237, 21ENT-0090) at 849 Ocean Avenue
Planning Commission
The commission will consider a Statement of Official Action denying two conditional use permits at 849 Ocean Avenue. It will hold a public hearing on a text amendment to the Downtown Community Plan and amendments to Conditional Use Permit 05CUP-009 for the Shore Hotel at 1515‑1525 Ocean Avenue, including a new affordable micro‑hotel, café, restaurant, and massage services. The meeting also includes an update and discussion on the draft Housing Element.
- Denial of Conditional Use Permits for 849 Ocean Avenue (20ENT‑0237, 21ENT‑0090)
- Public hearing on text amendment (21ENT‑0116) and Conditional Use Permit amendment (05CUP‑009) for Shore Hotel, 1515‑1525 Ocean Avenue
- Creation of 34‑bed affordable micro‑hotel with 14 new rooms (2,495 sf new, 1,505 sf converted)
- Conversion of 580 sf to a nine‑seat café with patio and alcohol service
- Conversion of existing space to an 80‑seat restaurant with bar, patio, and entertainment use
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on requests from the Oceana Hotel at 849 Ocean Avenue to open its existing restaurant to the general public and to amend its alcohol license. The items include two Conditional Use Permits (20ENT-0237 and 21ENT-0090) and a Text Amendment (20ENT-0236) to the Santa Monica Municipal Code. The Commission will formulate a recommendation to the City Council on the code amendment. This item was continued from the May 19, 2021 meeting.
- 849 Ocean Avenue – Oceana Hotel
- Conditional Use Permit 21ENT-0090: open hotel restaurant to general public (indoor and outdoor dining)
- Conditional Use Permit 20ENT-0237: amend existing alcohol license (Type 70) to serve alcohol to general public with meals
- Text Amendment 20ENT-0236: amend SMMC Section 9.08 to require a CUP for non-conforming hotel restaurants in R2/R3 districts
- Property in R3 (Medium Density Residential) zone; applicant OCBSM Owner LLC
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will continue its discussion on the Draft 6th Cycle Housing Element Update, which sets the city's housing plan for 2021-2029. Public input was already heard on June 2. The Commission may vote to recommend the document to the City Council.
- Draft Housing Element: Discussion and possible recommendation to City Council on the city's housing plan for 2021-2029 (continued item)
Planning Commission
The Santa Monica Planning Commission will discuss the Draft 6th Cycle Housing Element Update (2021-2029) and consider a recommendation to City Council. They will also discuss translation services for commission meetings. No public hearings or consent calendar items are scheduled.
- Discussion and possible recommendation on Draft 6th Cycle Housing Element Update
- Update and discussion on translation services at Planning Commission meetings
- No consent calendar items or public hearings on development permits
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on two Conditional Use Permits and a Text Amendment to allow the Oceana Hotel's restaurant at 849 Ocean Avenue to serve the general public and provide alcohol service. The Commission will also discuss budget priorities for 2021-23, resuming in-person meetings, and the Housing Element update.
- Public hearing on Conditional Use Permit 20ENT-0237 to amend existing alcohol license for Oceana Hotel to serve general public
- Public hearing on Conditional Use Permit 21ENT-0090 to allow Oceana Hotel restaurant to serve general public
- Text Amendment 20ENT-0236 to amend SMMC Section 9.08 to establish CUP requirement for non-conforming hotel restaurants in R2/R3 districts
- Discussion on Commission budget priorities for 2021-23 biannual budget
- Discussion on Housing Element update including direction from City Council on March 30, 2021
Rent Control Property Owners Seminar
The Rent Control Property Owners Seminar will present an overview of Santa Monica's rent‑control program, explain registration requirements, and detail how the maximum lawful rent is calculated. It will also cover how owners can handle petitions, complaints, and evictions, including guidance on the California COVID‑19 Rent Relief Act, and discuss limitations on changing a property's use and the RENT 20/20 program.
- Rent control overview
- Registration requirements for rent‑controlled units
- Maximum lawful rent calculations
- Evictions and the California COVID‑19 Rent Relief Act
- Limitations on change of use and RENT 20/20 program
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will discuss and possibly take action on the Housing Element Update, including City Council direction from March 30, 2021. Two public hearings are scheduled: a subdivision map for 20 condos and a commercial unit at 1448 7th Street, and amendments to the Shore Hotel (1515-1525 Ocean Avenue) for a micro-hotel, restaurant, and other changes, though the applicant has requested a continuance.
- Housing Element Update discussion, including Council direction and next steps
- 1448 7th Street: vesting tentative tract map to subdivide one parcel into 21 airspace parcels for 20 condos and one commercial unit
- Shore Hotel (1515-1525 Ocean Avenue): amendments for a 34-bed micro-hotel, variance for reduced ground floor height, café, restaurant with entertainment, and massage
- Applicant request for continuance of Shore Hotel item
Santa Monica Planning Commission Meeting March 17,, 2021
The Santa Monica Planning Commission will hold the second of two nights of discussion on draft concepts for the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update (2021-2029). The Commission may make a recommendation to the City Council on options for housing site distribution, achieving capacity for affordable housing, and updates to housing programs. No other substantive items are on the agenda.
- Discussion on draft concepts for the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update (2021-2029)
- Options for distribution of potential housing sites
- Options for achieving capacity on sites with highest housing potential, focusing on affordable housing tools
- Updates to housing programs to address existing residents' housing needs
- Public comment and staff reports on the Housing Element update
Santa Monica Planning Commission Meeting March 16, 2021
The Santa Monica Planning Commission will discuss draft concepts for the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update (2021-2029), including options for housing site distribution, affordable housing tools, and program updates. This is Part 1 of a two-night discussion; no other substantive items are on the agenda.
- Discussion on draft concepts for 6th Cycle Housing Element Update (2021-2029), including options for distribution of potential housing sites, achieving capacity on sites with highest housing potential with a focus on affordable housing tools, and updates to housing programs.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a Conditional Use Permit for a 62-stall recharging facility with solar canopies at 1401 and 1421-1425 Santa Monica Blvd. The applicant also requests a minor modification for reduced drive aisle widths. The commission will also discuss and possibly take action on the Housing Element Update process, including reports from technical working groups and upcoming milestones. The remainder of the agenda consists of procedural items and public comment opportunities.
- Public hearing for Conditional Use Permit (20ENT-0226 & 0227) for a 62-stall recharging facility at 1401 and 1421-1425 Santa Monica Blvd
- Minor Modification (21ENT-0004) for reduced drive aisle widths at the same location
- Discussion and possible action on Housing Element Update process, including technical working group reports and schedule updates
- Planning Director's report on recent City Council actions and project status
Planning Commission
The Santa Monica Planning Commission will hold public hearings on resolutions to amend architectural review processes, a conditional use permit for a cheese shop at 828 Pico Boulevard, and a development review for a new two-unit condominium at 1665 Appian Way. The Commission will also discuss possible recommendations to the City Council on interim zoning amendments to retain potential housing sites and an update on the Housing Element Update process.
- Resolutions 21-001 and 21-002 proposing changes to architectural review processes and thresholds (Item 8-A).
- Conditional Use Permit for Lady and Larder cheese shop to sell beer and wine off-site at 828 Pico Boulevard (Item 8-B).
- Development Review, Variance, and Major Modification for a new two-unit condo at 1665 Appian Way (Item 9-A).
- Discussion on interim zoning amendments to restrict land use and preserve potential housing sites (Item 10-B).
- Update on Housing Element Update process, including milestones and site inventory guidebook (Item 10-C).
Planning Commission
The Santa Monica Planning Commission will hold a virtual public hearing to discuss and possibly take action on the Housing Element Update process, hear an appeal of an Architectural Review Board approval for a new condominium development, and consider a parcel map for an air-space subdivision at a downtown mixed-use property.
- Appeal of ARB approval for new three-unit condominium at 2425 20th Street (20ENT-0261)
- Vesting Tentative Parcel Map to create air-space subdivision at 1311-1313 3rd Street and 302 Arizona Avenue (20ENT-0314)
- Discussion and possible action on Housing Element Update, including reports from technical working groups and project schedule