INSIDE
Waymo Appeals Ban on Overnight Operations at Santa Monica Charging Lots smmirror.com
August 7 – August 13, 2026 Volume CXXIII Issue 214
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Trapped truck driver rescued following highimpact crash into Pacific Palisades building Firefighters deploy heavy hydraulic equipment during intense two-hour extraction along Pacific Coast Highway
Firefighters deployed heavy hydraulic extrication tools Thursday to rescue a driver trapped inside a crushed work truck following a high-impact crash along Pacific Coast Highway, according to an LAFD alert. Emergency crews responded around 11:31 a.m. to the 14800 block of West Pacific Coast Highway after the vehicle slammed into a one-story commercial
building. The collision left the driver pinned in the cab under high temperatures for nearly two hours as specialized Urban Search and Rescue units worked to dismantle the damaged structure around the vehicle. Rescuers successfully freed the driver, who was the truck's sole occupant. Paramedics placed the driver into an ambulance for transport to a local hospital. Authorities have not released the driver's identity or current medical condition. No occupants were inside the commercial structure at the time of the crash, and no additional injuries were reported. Investigators have not determined the cause of the collision. Officials from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, the Department of Transportation, and the Los Angeles Police Department were dispatched to assess the building's structural integrity and manage surrounding traffic.
Autopsy reveals opera singer Jubilant Sykes suffered 68 knife wounds in fatal attack at Santa Monica home. Medical examiner rules death a homicide as his son awaits August arraignment.
Famed American baritone Jubilant Sykes died from dozens of knife wounds inside his Santa Monica home late last year, according to newly released medical examiner records detailing the circumstances surrounding his death, obtained by US Weekly. An autopsy report from the Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner ruled the 2025 killing a homicide, citing 68 sharp-force injuries among at least 73 total wounds. The report noted that the assailant used a 9-inch curved blade and also struck the singer with a 10-pound dumbbell during the attack on December 8, 2025 Santa Monica police officers pronounced Sykes dead at his residence shortly after arriving at the scene. Authorities were
alerted by the singer's wife, Cecelia Sykes, who reported that their son, who has a documented history of mental illness, had stabbed her husband. Police arrested the victim's son, 31-yearold Micah Sykes, at the home in connection with the fatal attack. Held without bail, the younger Sykes faces formal criminal charges, with his arraignment rescheduled for Aug. 6. Prosecutors requested the no-bail hold after raising concerns in court regarding the defendant's treatment history, noting he was not receiving appropriate medication for a schizophrenia diagnosis. Sykes built an international reputation as a versatile baritone, performing in major operas, concert halls, and stage musicals while also recording contemporary worship music throughout his career.
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August 7 – August 13, 2026
Appian Way Reopens to Traffic, Restoring Main Route to Pier Hydraulic breakers finish work in one day instead of the planned eight, restoring main access to Santa Monica Pier parking By Carlos Reyes Appian Way reopened to vehicle traffic Tuesday, days ahead of schedule, restoring the main route to the Santa Monica Pier’s primary parking lots. The roadway had been expected to stay closed for up to eight days while crews demolished a section of the existing Pier Bridge as part of the Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project. Demolition finished in a single day after the contractor switched from the saw-cutting method used elsewhere on the bridge to two hydraulic breakers. City officials said the change sped up the work while keeping safety standards in
place. The larger bridge replacement project is designed to improve safety, accessibility
and long-term reliability of the historic gateway. Construction is scheduled to finish by 2028, before the Olympic and
Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Access to the Pier and its businesses is being maintained throughout the work.
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Wildwood School acquires Santa Monica office building for new campus the entire site. Cash deal for “This is a great outcome for Santa Monica,” said Sean Fulp. “A well-located, 100,700-squarerecently renovated building that was sitting largely empty now has a committed longfoot Ocean Park term user that will serve the community. Plaza removes The buyer gets a campus in the heart of the Westside, and the neighborhood gains largely vacant an institution that adds real activity and stability.” property from Brokers with commercial real estate firm Colliers the seller, an entity tied Westside commercial to Jade represented Enterprises, while representatives from Industry Partners and Newmark acted inventory. on behalf of the buyer. Commercial real estate brokers have finalized the all-cash sale of a 100,700-square-foot office and medical building along Ocean Park Boulevard to a private school. The transaction removes Ocean Park Plaza, located at 2701 Ocean Park Blvd., from Santa Monica's commercial office inventory. Sellers marketed the two-story property while approximately 73 percent of its space remained vacant, opening the door for an institutional user to take over
Recent investments totaling roughly $8 million since 2017 brought upgraded outdoor courtyard space, refreshed exterior finishes, modernized building systems, and renovated restrooms to the property. The building sits directly across from Santa Monica Business Park and near ongoing neighborhood redevelopments, including a proposed 456-unit residential complex across the corridor and the anticipated transition of the Santa Monica Airport into public parkland.
Waymo Appeals Ban on Overnight Operations at Santa Monica Charging Lots The order prohibits Waymo from operating the lots at 1222 and 1310 Broadway between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. By Sarah Lin Waymo is appealing a court order that temporarily bans overnight operations at two of its vehicle charging stations in Santa Monica. City News Service reported that the company filed a notice of appeal Thursday after Santa Monica Superior Court Judge Bradley S. Phillips granted the city a preliminary injunction on July 27. The order prohibits Waymo from operating the lots at 1222 and 1310 Broadway between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. while the case proceeds to trial. In his ruling, Phillips found the city had shown a reasonable probability of prevailing on its public nuisance claim. He concluded that noise, lights and traffic from the overnight charging and servicing operations interfere with nearby residents’ ability to enjoy their homes. The judge noted that Waymo can still provide overnight rides using vehicles charged during daytime hours.
According to the city’s court filings, residents reported being disturbed by workers talking late at night and by the sounds of Waymo vehicles, which the city said echo off buildings along the alleys. The city said repeated requests to address
the issues were rejected. Waymo has denied that a public nuisance exists. In its own lawsuit against the city, the company said it hired additional staff, implemented software updates to reduce noise, installed barriers and
modified vehicle behaviors. Waymo also contended that local residents’ interference contributed to the problems. A status conference is scheduled for Oct. 23 to review potential remediation measures.
August 7 – August 13, 2026
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Former Malibu beachfront estate designed for Joni Mitchell lists for $27 million
Architect Ron Goldman’s Cape Cod-inspired creation features an oceanfront pool no longer permitted under current coastal codes. Music legend Joni Mitchell’s former oceanfront retreat in the exclusive Malibu Colony neighborhood has hit the market with a $27 million price tag. Sellers listed the 4,000-square-foot residence, known as Colony #17, following
four decades under the ownership of a single family, according to public tax records. Mitchell originally acquired the parcel along Malibu Road in the early 1980s before commissioning renowned Southern California architect Ron Goldman to design the Cape Cod-inspired modern bungalow. Goldman created the structure using bold geometric angles, soaring wood-beamed ceilings, rows of skylights, and charcoal slate floor tiles that extend seamlessly from the interior out to the beachfront courtyard. Historical photographs captured by music industry photographer Henry Diltz document Mitchell using the home's ocean-facing glass solarium as an art studio during her ownership, painting at an easel beside glass doors that open directly to the Pacific. Situated just outside the security gates
of Malibu Colony, the gated property combines private beach access with direct proximity to central Malibu dining and commercial districts. The open-concept layout centers on a grand great room and an oceanfront kitchen designed for largescale entertaining, while the primary suite offers panoramic water views alongside additional guest bedrooms, flexible office space, and a separate detached guest house. Outdoors, the beachfront terrace features
an extraordinary private pool and spa positioned steps from the shoreline, which is a grandfathered structural amenity no longer permitted under current Malibu coastal development regulations, making the estate virtually impossible to replicate today. Nanette Iggulden at Coldwell Banker Realty and Jody Katz at Estates and Trusts Realty holding the listing jointly.
Eight-story housing development proposed for commercial site near Downtown Santa Monica E Line Project would replace existing structure with 133 apartments and subterranean parking.
Property owner Kennedy Wilson has submitted preliminary plans to replace a two-story commercial building near the E Line in Downtown Santa Monica with a new residential complex. The application filed with the city's Community Development Department
outlines the demolition of the existing windowless structure at 700 Colorado Ave. to construct an eight-story building containing 133 apartments. The unit mix includes studio, one-bedroom, and twobedroom layouts positioned above a threelevel underground garage with 137 parking spaces. Under state density bonus regulations, the project incorporates 15 units reserved for moderate-, low-, and very low-income households in exchange for incentives allowing increased height and density beyond local zoning limits. Architecture firm AC Martin designed the proposed podium-style development, which plans show will feature modern exterior styling and a rooftop amenity space.
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Michelin Bib Gourmand-rated Khan Saab Desi Kraft Kitchen is now open with a new Santa Monica location
Acclaimed South Asian restaurant debuts steps from Ocean Boulevard with creative mocktails and imaginative dishes. By Dolores Quintana The Michelin Bib Gourmand-rated Pakistani restaurant Khan Saab Santa Monica is now open in Santa Monica. It is the first such restaurant, “celebrated for redefining South Asian dining through an elevated interpretation of Pakistani and Indian cuisine,” awarded a Bib Gourmand rating, which is Michelin’s recognition for restaurants that deliver quality food at reasonable prices.
Chef-Partner Imran Ali Mookhi, along with partners Ahmad and Iqbal Hosseini, first opened the restaurant in Fullerton with a second location in Hawaiian Gardens. Khan Saab Santa Monica is located at 115 Santa Monica Boulevard, close to Ocean Boulevard and the beach. Chef Mooki is Pakistani-born and has spent two decades in acclaimed Southern California kitchens, including Tantra on Sunset, Tamarind of London, and Dosa in San Francisco. The food is marvelous, with the “signature Sloppy Khan,” which is a “playful riff on the classic Sloppy Joe”, filled with keema pav, grass-fed wagyu beef, and wonderfully baked soft bread griddled to perfection. I can’t say enough good things about the kitchen’s breads. The service is impeccable, with servers and the owner radiating a welcoming and friendly vibe. Khan Saab is a place where you can feel at home. The smoked beef kabob, prepared with charcoal-smoked top sirloin, yogurt, garlic, mustard oil, and shallots, is served with a
special flair in a smoke-filled glass dome. It is also incredibly tasty. The butter chicken curry is a truly rich curry with more depth of flavor than we have been accustomed to with such dishes. The Khan Biryani with boneless chicken, biryani rice, and Thai chili comes baked in dough and is opened in front of you. Khan Saab recognizes the value of spectacle as well as flavor. Putting the Khan Biryani together with the butter chicken curry is a taste sensation, just saying. There are vegan dishes on the menu like the Pomegranate Bhel Puri, which was prepared from a cart on the evening when I dined. A dish with a lot of crunch, it is made of crackers, rice puffs, peanuts, vermicelli, mint, tamarind, chili, garlic, and chutney. Vegans are not left out at Khan Saab, and this pomegranate-studded dish is something new and enjoyable for your palate. This is just a fraction of the menu, which leaves many other dishes to explore. Another aspect of the restaurant that
makes Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen stand out among South Asian restaurants is that the kitchen is fully Halal, and thus the restaurant has a completely zero-proof cocktail and beverage program guided by mixologist Ahmad Hosseini. The mocktails served by the bar are not only beautiful to behold, but very satisfying to the palate. The Dirty Sprite (lime, salt, mint, and Sprite); Basanti Ecstasy (non-alcoholic gin, lavender-infused molasses, and lime); and Devil's Kiss (Seedlip, passion fruit, lime, and jalapeño) are fully expressive cocktails where you don’t miss the alcohol. The Basanti Ecstasy, in particular, is a gorgeous drink, with an inner glittering glow that swirls in the glass. It was so pretty that I exclaimed praise, and the drink was handed to me. I didn’t miss the gin, and I like gin. Khan Saab Desi Kraft Kitchen is a wonderful addition to the growing Santa Monica dining scene, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
August 7 – August 13, 2026
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OPINION
A City That Knows Its Limits SMa.r.t. Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow
For thirty years, California planners have sold density as the fix for the state's housing shortage. In many cities, that sale reflects reality: compact development shortens commutes, supports transit, and takes pressure off infrastructure before a street must be dug up again. Santa Monica is not one of those cities. Not anymore. The city has been asked the wrong question for a decade. The question has been how many new housing units Santa Monica can approve. It should be: what can our 8.3 square miles reasonably support? Answering that question honestly means looking at housing, livability, the environment, and infrastructure together — not counting units and calling it planning. The numbers make the case. Santa Monica houses its residents, but it also absorbs a daytime workforce many times that size, a beach that draws millions of visitors a year, a hospital district, a transit hub, and two of the busiest commercial corridors in the county. Within a few square miles, the city supports tens of thousands of jobs alongside hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, medical facilities, and schools. On any given day, its streets, parks, and public spaces serve far more people than those who live here. This is, in effect, already the work of a much larger city. Yet Sacramento's allocation formula (RHNA) counts our jobs, our transit, and our opportunity — and treats each one as a reason to assign us more housing. What the formula never asks is whether a city has any room left to receive it. Proximity to opportunity is measured; physical buildout, water supply, park space, and emergency response capacity are not. Santa Monica already holds more than eleven thousand residents in every square mile — among the densest cities of its size in California — before counting the daily surge of workers and visitors. City leaders across the political spectrum have acknowledged for years that Santa Monica is essentially built out. For confirmation, Mayor Gleam Davis said from the dais a few years ago, "Santa Monica is built out!" Yet unlike communities that pushed back on the state's mandates, Santa Monica never made that case with a united voice within the City Council chambers when it needed to. We must speak out as a united community against further density when Sacramento starts to assign the next RHNA allotments in 2028–2029. Look south for what happens when growth is mandated but never provisioned: Huntington Park, Bell Gardens, Lynwood, Maywood, and Cudahy. None of these communities set out to become overcrowded, and density itself did not fail them. They were failed by the same
pattern we are warning against — growth that outran the parks, infrastructure, and services that were supposed to follow it, because nobody ever funded what density requires to work. The result has been decades of strain: overcrowded housing, scarce park space, aging systems, congested streets. Those communities deserved better before. Santa Monica deserves better now. We do not want that future for Santa Monica, and this is not an argument against housing — least of all the affordable housing California genuinely lacks. Our state needs more homes people can afford, and Santa Monica should build its share. But "share" must mean something more precise than a state quota stamped onto a coastal city with no open ground left to place needed infrastructure. Cities with surface parking lots and half-empty strip malls still have room to grow. Santa Monica does not. It isn't radical to say a built-out city should carry a different burden than one still mostly vacant. Many Southern California communities remain far less densely populated, with large areas of underused commercial property, aging shopping centers, oversized parking lots, or vacant land that could absorb new housing with far fewer impacts on existing neighborhoods. In fact, Santa Monica is already one of the densest cities in the state among cities with under 100,000 in population, notwithstanding our stratospheric daily population explosion. Directing more growth toward those places would spread both the benefits and the responsibilities of housing more evenly across the region, rather than concentrating additional growth in cities that are already full. We propose changing how the city and state measure success. Instead of counting permits issued, the city should track what residents actually experience day to day: whether park acreage and a neighborhood's real access to it are keeping pace with population or shrinking per capita; whether a family can still find parking within two
blocks of home; whether reservoirs and groundwater basins are built to survive the next five-year drought and not just the last one; whether fire, paramedic, and police response times are holding steady; whether streets are becoming safer or more congested; whether trees and open space are increasing or disappearing; and whether a kid can bike to school without fighting worsening traffic. Those are the metrics that reveal whether a city is actually working. A unit count only tells you whether Sacramento is satisfied, which is a different question entirely. The right approach ties approvals directly to capacity. If the water system needs an upgrade before a project breaks ground, the upgrade gets funded first, not added as an afterthought once problems appear. If a neighborhood's park space is already thin, density that thins it further wouldn't be approved without a concrete plan to add space nearby. More broadly, future development would need to be tied to measurable infrastructure and public services. If growth requires larger water mains, new parks, better transit, safer intersections, or expanded emergency services, those improvements should arrive prior to development approval, not years afterward. Development follows infrastructure — that is the principle we believe the city and state abandoned, and the order that must be restored to achieve a responsible tomorrow. We are candid that state law currently ties a council's hands here — the Housing Accountability Act and its companions forbid much of this common sense at the local level. That is precisely why this fight belongs in Sacramento as well as at City Hall: the law should be changed so that capacity counts. None of this is an argument against development in general, which has an important place throughout California. It is a rejection of the assumption that every city should absorb the same level of growth regardless of its existing conditions. And Santa Monica's condition is unique: we are more than a community of and for
our residents. We are an environmental relief station for the whole region — for the people who come to the beach seeking relief from the heat of the Valley, the Eastside, and central LA. They do not visit to gawk at dense multi-story towers; they come to put their feet in the cool waters of the Pacific and to feel our unique cultural position in Southern California. The people who built our town understood how much a street could hold before it stopped functioning as a living space our residents needed. Those choices weren't mistakes waiting to be corrected, but solid planning decisions. The next council doesn't have to choose between housing and livability — but it does have to stop treating every proposed development as progress by definition. Progress means growth the city can absorb without overwhelming the community, on a timeline its infrastructure can match. Success shouldn't be measured by how many more people can fit within the city limits, but by whether future generations inherit a city and its assets as enjoyable, functional, and livable as the one our residents, and the region, have treasured for over a century and a half. We want smart, balanced, regional growth directed toward the communities with the greatest capacity to accommodate it, while preserving the qualities that make Santa Monica special in the first place. Phil Brock, Santa Monica Mayor (ret.) for Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow/ Dan Jansenson, Architect (former Building & Fire-Life Safety Commissioner); Robert H. Taylor, Architect AIA; Mario Fonda-Bonardi, Architect AIA (former Planning Commissioner); Sam Tolkin, Architect (former Planning Commissioner); Michael Jolly ARE-CRE; Jack Hillbrand AIA, Architect; Phil Brock (SM Mayor, ret.); Matt Hoefler, Architect NCARB; Charles Andrews, columnist, journalist; Bruce Leddy, Human Services Commissioner & NOMA Co-Chair.
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Dr. Sion Roy, Chair; Dr. Tom Peters, Vice Chair; Dr. Luis Barrera Castañón; Anastasia Foster; Dr. Nancy Greenstein; Dr. Margaret Quiñones-Perez; Rob Rader; Audrey Liljegren, Student Trustee; Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D., Superintendent/President Santa Monica College 1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405