S A N TA M O N I C A
REFLECTING THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY smmirror.com
April 29 – May 5, 2022 Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 142
INSIDE L.A. RESIDENTS EXPRESS LOWEST-EVER SATISFACTION WITH QUALITY OF LIFE IN YEAR SEVEN OF UCLA SURVEY PAGE 4
Santa Monica Requests More Time to Meet State Housing Mandate Deadline City Council seeks an extension to October 15 deadline BY SAM CATANZARO Santa Monica City Council this week voted to attempt to buy more time to modify a proposal denied by the State to construct nearly 9,000 new units of housing over the next eight years. The State of California is requiring the City of Santa Monica to build 8,895 housing units over the next eight years. On October 12, 2021, Santa Monica City Council approved a Housing Element that proposed using non-profit housing providers to build more rental units on land owned by the City. California housing officials, however, rebuffed the plan, saying it did not include a feasible inventory of property where units could be developed. In addition, state officials said that Santa Monica’s plan did not demonstrate how the City would encourage development. To be compliant, Santa Monica must modify or add programs, get rid of any determined development barriers, and complete any rezoning required by October 15. If the City does not comply, it would face hefty fines and lose State funding. At Tuesday’s meeting, City staff warned that while Santa Monica is on track to meet
Photo: Sam Catanzaro
the State quota for market-rate units, the City is still facing a shortfall in meeting the quota for affordable housing units. Santa Moncia lawmakers have approved 4,720 affordable units that are in the pipeline, leaving the City 4,175 units short of the quota. “It is estimated that an increase of up to 13,000 units will be necessary to make up the shortfall and also include a
necessary buffer to address the ‘no net loss’ requirement,” reads the staff report. “The City desires to submit a letter to Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development and our State representatives to request legislative changes to give more time to complete rezoning for those cities that have adopted Housing Elements prior to the October 15, 2021 statutory deadline.”
City Council Tuesday unanimously approved the request for legislative changes from the State that would push back the deadline. As part of the same agenda item, City Council also approved a contract extension with Wood LLC, a Washington, an environmental consulting firm, to aid in revisions to the housing plan.
Longtime Santa Monica Bar Closes After 25 Years on Main Street Rick’s Tavern on Main bought by New York owner, will get new look and name BY DOLORES QUINTANA
Rick’s Tavern on Main has closed after 25 years in business in Santa Monica as reported by ABC 7 News. The bar, located at 2907 Main Street, has been a longstanding Santa Monica favorite and mainstay of the area. In a Facebook post, the bar’s owner
cited health issues as the reason behind the closure. The bar has been bought by an unknown entity from New York, ABC reported. The tavern will be renovated and given a new name. “It’s at that age where it’s time to start enjoying life, due to some health issues . I will miss everybody, we treasure the relationships we have formed over the years, and appreciate the patronage we had,” reads the post. “Let’s support the new ‘Tavern on Main’!” The last night of service was on Sunday, April 17, with many patrons filling the bar for one last goodbye. There is reportedly no time frame for when the new owner will take over and very little information on who they might be.
Photo: Facebook (@rtavern)