Santa Monica Mirror: Aug 25 - Aug 31, 2023

Latest Santa Monica Assessment Roll Shows

5.3% Increase in Taxable Property Values

Read the Full Assessment Roll Statement From L.A. County Assessor Jeff Prang

The following is the 2023 Assessment Roll of Santa Monica, from Los Angeles County AssessorJeff Prang:

It’s that time of year again when my Office undertakes its most important function of the fiscal year that lays the ground work for the very property taxes that pay for our vital public services:

The Assessment Roll. In fact, it’s a Constitutional mandate. The Roll for 2023 has been closed as of June 30 and it reflects growth for Santa Monica as well as the rest of the County.

First off, let me say this comprehensive tally values more than 2.5 million real estate parcels in

Los Angeles County and results in the very tax dollars that goes to pay for vital public services, such as healthcare, police, fire, schools, and even librarians, to name just a few. As I mentioned, I am constitutionally mandated to close the Roll by the end of the Fiscal Year on June 30. As a point of reference, my Fiscal Year runs from July 1 to June 30.

I am pleased to announce that the 2023 Assessment Roll has a total net value of $1.997 trillion, indicating the 13 th year of consecutive growth. The 2023 Roll also grew by $111 billion (or 5.91%) over 2022. That value places nearly $20 billion to be used for those public services I just Mentioned.

Locally, Santa Monica for 2023 came in at $48.95 billion for taxable values, which is a 5.3% increase over last year’s numbers. That includes 16,821 single-family homes, 4,068 apartment complexes, 2,672 commercial-industrial parcels for a grand total of 23,561 taxable properties.

Yes, it’s a solid growth at $48.95 billion.

Some basics: The Roll, as it is known, contains the assessed value of all real estate

and business personal property in the County’s 88 cities along with the unincorporated areas. It also breaks down the number of singlefamily residential homes, apartments and commercial-industrial parcels.

This year’s Roll comprises 2.58 million real estate parcels as well as business assessments countywide. That includes 1,892,564 singlefamily homes, 250,511 apartment complexes, 248,123 commercial and industrial properties and more than 200,000 business property Assessments.

Since the Roll is the inventory for all taxable property in the County, it can provide some insight into the health of the real estate market. The Roll is also driven in large measure by real property sales, which added $67.4 billion to the Roll as compared with 2022; the CPI adjustment mandated by Prop. 13 added an additional $36.7 billion; and new construction added $5.6 Billion.

Finally, to say this has been a challenging couple of years is an understatement and the fact that property values continue to grow is certainly good news and testament to the viability of

the region. A full list of assessment growth amounts and parcel counts for cities and unincorporated areas is available here.

Santa Monica Museum Exhibit Features Art by Katy Perry and Khloé Kardashian

Showcases Are Crafted Five-Foot-Tall Elephant Sculptures

In commemoration of World Elephant Day on Aug. 12, Downtown Santa Monica Inc.

and the Santa Monica Art Museum partnered with the global exhibition Elephant Parade to present the “Elephant Parade” Exhibit.

The exhibit showcases a curated collection of crafted five-foot-tall elephant sculptures, conceived by eminent entertainment luminaries such as Katy Perry, Tiésto, Lily Tomlin, Khloé Kardashian, Cesar Millan, and

Oliver Benjamin.

The Elephant Parade exhibit is taking place on Thursdays and Fridays: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Saturdays: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sundays: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. The museum is located at 1219 3rd Street Promenade.

Originating from Amsterdam and Thailand, Elephant Parade stands as a socially-conscious

enterprise, having orchestrated exhibitions spanning across more than 20 nations. Their commendable efforts have not only raised awareness but have generated over $1 million in support of the well-being of elephants.

For more information, go to https:// www.elephantparade.com/parades/santamonica-2023.

Site for 210-Unit Development Cleared on Lincoln Boulevard by

Cypress

Equity Investments

Structure Will Feature Ground Floor Commercial Space and Three-Level Parking Facility

A cluster of business edifices have yielded ground to accommodate the freshest mixeduse venture by Cypress Equity Investments (CEI), Urbanize LA reported.

The cleared site at 1527 Lincoln Boulevard is poised for the erection of a novel eightstory establishment that will encompass 210 residential units including 21 that qualify as affordable housing. The structure will also feature ground floor commercial space and a three-level parking facility capable of housing 321 automobiles and 270 bicycles.

The architectural endeavor for 1527 Lincoln

is under OfficeUntitled, whose vision manifests in renderings as a contemporary podium-style structure. The project’s inception involved a comparatively smaller five-story structure, harboring 114 residential units. However, the design evolved due to zoning modifications introduced consequent to revisions in Santa Monica’s housing element.

Procession to Honor Late Fire Engineer

SMFD Holds

Dominic Smith Passed Away on July 13

The Santa Monica Fire Department held a memorial procession and celebration of life ceremony for Fire Engineer Dom Smith, who passed away last month after a battle against an illness related to his work.

Dominic Smith initiated his firefighting journey as a volunteer with the city of Poway in 1993, concurrently serving as an EMT with a private ambulance company. Subsequently, he joined the Oceanside Fire Department in 1994, later transitioning to the Santa Monica Fire Department in 2001. Concluding his dedicated service to Santa Monica, Smith retired in March 2023, leaving behind an impactful legacy. He passed away on July 13, 2023, survived by his wife, Alexa, and their daughter.

“The Santa Monica Fire Department would like to express our sincere appreciation for Dominic’s dedication and commitment to our community in his 22 years of service in Santa Monica, and nearly 30-year career in the fire service.” a statement read. “We are

grateful for Dominic’s friendship and his endless contributions to our department and its members. Dominic’s memory is embedded in our organization’s deep history, and his legacy will live on forever.”

The procession commenced at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, tracing a route along 2nd Street eastbound on Wilshire Boulevard, concluding at St. Monica Catholic Church located at 725 California Ave. A temporary closure of California Avenue, spanning between Lincoln Boulevard and 7th Street, was enforced.

For those wishing to contribute to the family, kindly direct inquiries to Michael.Linares@ santamonica.gov.

Santa Monica Police Seek Information on Assault To Commit Rape Suspect

SMPD Seeks Information and Other Potential Victims In Case

By Dolores Quintana

On August 4, 2023, Santa Monica Police Officers apprehended Fernando Vinicio Chavez on charges of Assault to Commit Rape, Penal Code 220a (1) PC. Chavez is currently in custody without bail following a preliminary hearing in Orange County. Law enforcement is now reaching out to the public in an effort to identify any additional victims or witnesses related to this case.

The investigation revealed that Chavez and the victim crossed paths while Chavez was working in Downtown Los Angeles. Subsequently, they arranged to meet after Chavez completed his shift. Their rendezvous took them to Santa Monica Beach, where,

following the victim’s refusal to engage in sexual activity, Chavez allegedly subjected her to a violent assault.

Chavez already faces pending charges from the Orange Police Department for Assault to Commit Rape and Forcible Penetration with a Foreign Object. Santa Monica Police Detectives are keen to gather information from anyone who may have encountered Chavez or experienced similar incidents involving him.

Suspect Information:

• Name: Fernando Vinicio Chavez

• Description: Male Hispanic/Latino, 27 years old, black hair, brown eyes, 5’ 11”, approximately 175 pounds.

•

The Santa Monica Police Department urges anyone with information related to this case to contact the following investigators:

• Detective Holloway at 310-458-8934

• Detective Spencer at 310-458-8420

• Sgt. Goodwin at 310-458-8931

• Watch Commander (24 Hours) at 310458-8427

The information provided by the public will aid in furthering the investigation and bringing justice to any potential victims. All tips and leads will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.

Photo Two

Facilitated

Caiden, MSG PhD,

Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden Introduces Flavorful Boba Tea Line-Up

Afterschool Boba Club In The Works For Teachers and Students

By Dolores Quintana

Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden, located at 726 Montana Ave, a haven of delightful beverages and relaxing ambiance, is stepping into the realm of boba tea, known by various names such as Pearl Tea, Bubble Tea, and Boba Milk Tea. After months of meticulous testing and innovation, the tea bar unveils a brand new boba milk tea menu to tantalize the taste buds of both adults and children.

Traditionally, boba tea has been a beloved choice for many, and Buena Vida is embracing this trend with their unique offerings. Catering to adult preferences, the tea bar has crafted an array of adult boba drinks, including Vanilla

Black Milk Tea with coffee-flavored boba, Jasmine Green Tea with lychee pearls, and Matcha Milk Tea with brown sugar boba. These choices cater to an adult palate by incorporating alternative milk, reducing sweeteners, and introducing unique ingredients like lychee and coffee pearls.

However, the recent closure of Menchie’s, located on the same corner, prompted Buena Vida to expand its offerings to children and teens as well. The result is a series of children and teen-centric boba drinks, each designed to capture the essence of youthful taste preferences. The menu features options such as Taro Milk Tea, Rooibos Milk Tea (both non-caffeinated), and Thai Milk Tea, offering sweeter and differently flavored choices.

Building on the success of their Cuppa Club, Buena Vida is introducing an afterschool Boba Tea Club tailored for kids and teachers. While pricing details are still being finalized, the concept revolves around a monthly subscription allowing customers to savor one boba milk tea daily.

The decision to incorporate boba into their menu was deeply rooted in Buena Vida’s cultural heritage. Tapioca boba pearls, a key component of boba tea, are traditionally made from cassava, which traces its origin back to Brazil. Buena Vida’s Puerto Rican and Cuban roots, where cassava is known as “yuca” and is a culinary staple, inspired the tea bar to honor their Latin-American heritage by introducing boba tea.

At Buena Vida Tea Bar & Garden, boba tea enthusiasts, young and old, can embark on a flavorful journey that merges tradition with innovation. From classic boba flavors to new and enticing combinations, the tea bar’s boba tea line-up is set to delight the diverse palates of its patrons.

The High School/Community College “Dual Enrollment” Opportunity

Great Chance For Students To Learn Beyond High School Classes

By Jeff Hall

Here on the Westside, we’ve all seen the billboard-sized Santa Monica College ads on the sides of the Big Blue Buses. The ads brag about how well Santa Monica College students do when it comes to transferring to UCLA.

In an era of bone-crushing student debt, those who start at a more affordable community college can save a lot on tuition bills. And if a community college can boost a student’s chances of getting into a UC, that’s a big deal.

“Dual enrollment” programs allow high school students to take classes at a nearby community college. A high school student who isn’t wild about 11th-grade Shakespeare might love taking a course in web design taught at the local community college.

Several heavy hitters headlined the conference, including Dr. Francisco Rodriguez, Chancellor of the LA

Community College District; Alberto Carvalho, Superintendent of LAUSD; Dr. Sonya Christian, Chancellor of California Community Colleges; Assemblyman Mike Fong; and Andra Hoffman, president of the California Community Colleges Board of Governors.

The benefits of dual enrollment are many:

• High school students get to take classes they could never take at their high school campus, keeping their minds stimulated. An engaged student is more likely to stay enrolled.

• Taking in high school students helps community colleges fill slots that might otherwise go unoccupied.

• High school students don’t have to pay tuition to attend a community college, but they can accumulate the credits, thus reducing the potential burden of student loans. Dual enrollment can start as early as ninth grade.

• Once a high school student enters the community college ecosystem, the student is exposed to the possibility of attending a fouryear college. A big part of the community college mission is to prepare interested students to successfully transfer into a fouryear college.

• Four-year colleges benefit because community colleges are good at preparing

their students to transfer into a CSU, UC, or private college. Some college admissions professionals think community college grads are more motivated than students who enter straight out of high school.

• Think of this as a pipeline that is being built: Community colleges draw students from “feeder” high school districts nearby; similarly, community colleges become feeders for UCs, CSUs, and private colleges in the region – or beyond.

• All agreed: There are bureaucratic silos that need to be overcome. More and more, student data is being shared among schools and students so students can find the right school based on their individual talents and goals –and schools can attract the right students based on their offerings. It’s a win-win.

“We are the poverty busters,” said Dr. Alberto Román, president of East LA College. “We are accelerators for equity, opportunity, and justice.”

“No longer will your destiny be determined by your ZIP Code,” said Dr. Francisco Rodriguez, Chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District. “Gone are the days of indentured servitude for those with less education.”

The cheers from the auditorium were

genuine and uplifting.

Dr. Alberto Carvalho, Superintendent of LAUSD, said the vast majority of LAUSD high schools now participate in a dual enrollment program and that the numbers will only grow.

For many first-generation students, community colleges offer a perfect starting place. Community colleges have been absorbing and accommodating underprivileged and underrepresented students for years.

“Start here, go anywhere” is a slogan I heard repeated throughout the day.

Assemblyman Mike Fong (D-Alhambra), a champion of the community college system, stated: “Dual enrollment has been a gamechanger.”

Rates shown are per person, land and round-trip economy-class airfare from the featured gateway (other gateways available, rates may vary), based on double occupancy for check-in on December 7, 2023. Rates include taxes, fees and surcharges collected by seller at time of booking using the AAA.com website. If booking with a AAA Travel Advisor, a $25 service fee will be collected at time of booking. Airfare is nonrefundable. Itinerary changes/cancellations are subject to Pleasant Holidays®, airline and/or other supplier-imposed fees from $25 (for Canada or contiguous U.S. travel) or from $50 (for all other travel) per person, plus applicable fare differential (certain changes involve prenotification deadlines). See General Disclaimer for additional information regarding air. *The value listed is per booking and equals the total of the Tropical Days offer plus the AAA Member Benefit2 Tropical Days Offer: Valid on new Hawai‘i, Mexico, Caribbean, and Continental United States bookings made July 23, 2023 – September 22, 2023, for travel July 23, 2023 – June 30, 2024. Minimum five nights’ accommodations at a participating Hawai‘i Mexico or Caribbean resort or hotel and round-trip airfare required (excludes Hawai‘i inter-island flights). Minimum two nights’ accommodations at a participating Continental United States resort or hotel and round-trip airfare required (excludes Hawai‘i inter-island flights). Savings of $150 is not reflected in rates shown and applies to Hawai‘i, Mexico, and Caribbean destinations with participating resorts. Savings of up to $100 is not reflected in rates shown and applies to Continental United States destinations with participating resorts as follows: $50 off 2–3-night stays; $75 off 4-night stays; $100 off 5-night stays or longer. AAA Member Benefit: Valid on new bookings made between July 23, 2023 – December 31, 2024, for travel through December 31, 2024. Minimum five-night stay at participating AAA Vacations® properties required. $50 activity voucher is nonrefundable, nontransferable, has no cash value and applies to the following destinations: Hawai‘i, Mexico, Central & South America and select Caribbean destinations. Savings not reflected in rates shown and applies to the following destinations: USA (excluding Hawai‘i), Canada – $25 savings; Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Asia, South Africa, select Caribbean destinations (Anguilla, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Curaçao, Dominica, Grand Cayman, Grenada, Martinique, St. Barts, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Martin & St. Maarten, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Turks & Caicos, and U.S. Virgin Islands), Tahiti (French Polynesia), Fiji and Cook Islands – $50 savings. Rate based on city view king room accommodations at Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on O‘ahu. Rate based on superior select club room accommodations at Sandos Caracol Eco Resort All-Inclusive in Playa del Carmen. Environmental Sanitation Tax of $27 Pesos per room per night will be collected by the hotel at check-out. 5Rate based on double room accommodations at Riu Bambu All-Inclusive in Punta Cana. Rate based on classic queen room accommodations at The LINQ Hotel + Experience in Las Vegas. 7Kids stay free in same room as adults using existing bedding at Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. Occupancy limits apply. Riu Bambu resort credit is as follows: Valid on new bookings for travel through December 23, 2024. Includes a resort credit per room, per stay for guests 21 and older to be used towards Renova Spa (2 $20 coupons for 80 minute Renova Combination massage, 2 $25 coupons for 80 minute Ritual Punta Cana, 2 $10 coupons for 80 minute Stress Cure massage, 2 $20 coupons for Beauty Ritual, 2 $35 coupons for Ocean Harmony, 2 $10 coupons for Spa pedicure; limited to 1 coupon per service, per person; Scuba Caribe (2 $15 coupons for sailing lesson, 2 $45 coupons for PADI Open Water Diver Course, 2 $20 coupons for PADI Scuba Diver Course, 2 $15 coupons for PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience; limited to coupon per service, per person), Punta Blanca Golf (1 $85 coupon per golf round per person and includes: transfer from hotel to Punta Blanca Hotel, 18 hole golf round, practice balls, electric golf car, water, soda and cold tower at the end of the T-time. Extra discount in additional tee times: 5% on the second round, 10% on the third and fourth round and 15% on the fifth round onwards); Weddings by RIU ($100 coupon towards Royal & Caprice Collections), Photoventura ($50 coupon by purchasing Sea Photo Package), Europcar Rent-a-car (up to $105 coupons); Chocolateria (1 $4 coupon towards $25 purchase, 1 $8 coupon towards $50 purchase, 1 $15 coupon towards $100 purchase and applies only for products signed with red code); Diamante Casino (1 $10 coupon; limited to 1 coupon per person, per night). A 3 – 6 night stay is required. Resort credits are contactless and accessible through the RIU app. Resort credits are nontransferable, nonrefundable, non-combinable and cannot be used for future stays. Subject to change or may be discontinued without prior notice. Certain restrictions may apply. Based on double occupancy. The LINQ Hotel + Experience up to 20% savings is as follows: Save on stays of 1+ night. Blackout dates may apply. Not combinable with any other offer, unless otherwise indicated. For all offers, unless otherwise indicated: Rates quoted are accurate at time of publication & are per person, based on double occupancy. Gratuities, transfers, excursions and, for non-air-inclusive offers, airfare, taxes, fees & surcharges, are additional. Advertised rates do not include any applicable daily resort or facility fees payable directly to the hotel at check-out; such fee amounts will be advised at the time of booking. Rates, terms, conditions, availability, itinerary, taxes, fees, surcharges, deposit, payment, cancellation terms/conditions & policies subject to change without notice at any time. Cruise rates capacity-controlled. Advance reservations through AAA Travel required to obtain Member Benefits & savings which may vary based on departure date. Rates may be subject to increase after full payment for increases in government-imposed taxes or fees and, except for air-inclusive offers, for supplier-imposed fees. Blackout dates & other restrictions may apply. As to Air-Inclusive Offers Only: Other restrictions may apply, including, but not limited to, baggage limitations & charges for first & second checked bag, standby policies & fees, nonrefundable airfare/airline tickets, advance purchase requirements & supplier & airline-imposed change/cancellation fees up to & including the price of the fare plus any applicable fare differential (which may involve pre-notification deadlines). Air component of packaged offers may be nonrefundable; refunds are subject to supplier & airline terms & conditions.

Taste of Summer: Introducing the ‘Check Yo’ Self’ Pizza Delight From Brandoni Pepperoni This Weekend

By Dolores Quintana

After the Hurriquake of last weekend, the summer sun graces us once again. It’s time to savor the season with a delectable new menu addition - the ‘Check Yo’ Self’ pizza at Brandoni Pepperoni’s pop-ups this weekend.

This mouthwatering creation features a harmonious blend of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Picture this: fresh Prosciutto, locally sourced Bartlett Pears from See Canyon Farms. creamy Mozzarella cheese, crisp Tamai Farms Arugula, and a generous sprinkling of Santa Barbara Pistachios. It’s a delightful marriage of savory and salty notes from the Prosciutto, perfectly complemented by the sweet and ripe essence of the pears. Don’t take our word for it; you’ll want to experience this culinary masterpiece firsthand!

Catch the ‘Check Yo’ Self’ pizza at two exclusive locations:

Bar and Garden: Thursday and Friday from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM (or until sold out).

Bar and Garden is located at 6142 Washington Boulevard in Culver City. Thursday’s wine tasting is focused on German wines, and Friday’s wine tasting will be Wine Club selections.

Offhand Wine Bar: Saturday from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM (or until sold out). Offhand Wine Bar is a @WestsideWinos Establishment and is located at 3008 Santa Monica Boulevard

Don’t miss your chance to savor the flavors of summer with ‘Check Yo’ Self’ and try chef Brandon Grey’s newest summer creation. You can order ahead at Brandoni Pepperoni.com and select one of the Brandoni classics or this newest ‘za.

The 30 MPH City Part One

SMa.r.t.

Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

Some ideas sound extreme when first presented but acquire more credibility when you think about it, and particularly when conditions change. One of our City’s mobility goals is called Vision Zero, which is the City’s attempt to reduce our annual traffic deaths (pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles) to zero. This is a worthy multi-year goal that, unfortunately, has become stalled. The average traffic death toll in Santa Monica has fluctuated around four deaths per year for the last dozen years. In spite of massive efforts, including school safety programs, traffic demand management, more separated bike lanes, traffic calming changes, a traffic drop during Covid, safety improvements in cars, hands-free phone technology, traffic signal changes making pedestrians more visible, etc., etc.., all have not reduced that dismal statistic for the last decade.

A static death rate

We could surmise the death rate might have been even higher had we not done all those things. In other words, our mobility improvements more or less exactly balanced out the increase in traffic hazards, so no reduction occurred. But stopping here is like

accepting four deaths a year is an acceptable traffic casualty rate? Or accepting that four deaths a year in a City of about 90,000 residents may, in fact, be an irreducible number? If you accept this level of traffic mortality or believe we cannot do better, read no further.

To do better, we need to explore other approaches that might make a significant difference. Traffic mortality is always in a dynamic balance. Certain changes increase it (telephone use while driving or helmetless scooter riders), and others decrease it (automatic braking systems on cars or increased helmet use by bike riders). So, no single credible change will get us to Vision Zero. It will take a menu of changes that we have already done and should continue doing, plus some new initiatives we should be considering.

Changing traffic Conditions

The need for new initiatives becomes even more critical when the City’s mobility mix is significantly changing. First of all, there may be a population boom of up to 20% in the next decade as developers build out the 9000 new units over the next eight years as required by Sacramento’s newly imposed 20212029 Housing Element. These citizens will essentially all be new wealthy or upwardly mobile residents (to afford the pricey rent charged in the new apartments). They will all still drive or try to drive cars, the most common source of traffic deaths. The vast majority of

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF Robert Potash

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: Robert Potash

A Petition for Probate has been filed by Soohyun King in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 23STPB09089

The Petition for Probate requests that Jesse Potash be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A hearing on the petition will be held in Los Angeles County Superior Court as follows: Date: October 31, 2023, Time: 8:30 am. Dept.: 44 The address of the court: 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the deceased, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statues and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Petitioner Jesse Potash 22 Haide Pl. 109 East Islip, NY 11730

Published in the Santa Monica Mirror, 08/ 25/2023, 09/01/2023,

new residents will not take the train or busses because of their perceived personal danger and because they can typically afford to own cars.

Second, into this massive flow increase will be injected with an increasingly variable erratic mix of scooters, skateboards, electric bikes, motorcycles, wheelchairs, and other micromobility devices as the population responds to differing mobility pressures. These exposed micro-mobility devices, when mixed in with cars, typically increase fatality risk. While car use per person may go down, overall, the number of cars will go up. Aging seniors in our increasingly gray city will slowly stop driving, while others may forgo cars for ecological reasons or to get more exercise, and finally, many will not be able to or want to afford the expenses of car ownership. However, all of these visitors, residents, and workers, regardless of their mobility choices, will still need some kind of mobility device, including their shoes, which will all take up more space on the public right of way.

Because we are a built-out legacy city, our right of ways, which were laid out about 150 years ago, will not appreciably increase in size. Whether it’s bike lanes, wider sidewalks, drop-off zones, charging stations, bus lanes, or car lanes, all will need to be crammed essentially into our existing 50’ to 100’ wide right of ways. The only area where the right of way might be increased is in the future development of Airport Park. The proper insertion of traffic into that future park and development should not only provide proper safe access but must also be taken as an

opportunity to solve, as much as possible, the chronic afternoon gridlock of the entire southeast quadrant (Sunset Park) of our City. This will require new intersecting cross streets linked to Venice to address the predictable increase in traffic.

Third, the advent of self-driving cars will have an unknown effect on our traffic fatalities. It is unclear whether self-driving cars will be safer, the same, or more dangerous in their eventual rollout. Unless there is a mechanical failure or hack, self-driving cars will not go over the posted speed limit nor start unless everyone has their seat belts on. This makes them safer on paper, but real-life experience will show their real impact on fatalities. This is an unknown variable, so we will need to wait and see.

Speed Kills

One of the obvious ways to reduce fatalities is to slow traffic down. On paper, our City is a 25-35 mph city, which is the typically posted speeds on our major streets. Actual speeds can be much greater (e.g., Olympic Blvd). Some streets (Main Street, west end of Broadway, etc. ) are already calmed at 25 mph. Others (Wilshire, 20th Street) are at already at 30 mph. We should consider reducing the remaining 35 mph streets (e.g., Pico, Olympic, East Ocean Park) to 30 mph. 30 mph would then become Santa Monica’s default maximum speed everywhere except where otherwise posted or on PCH, on the Freeway (and its on/off ramps), and obviously for emergency vehicles. School zones would remain at 25 mph but could go down to 20 mph. Portions of other selected streets based on accident history or the presence of curbside eating might also be reduced to 25 mph.

The City should continue its traffic-calming initiatives. A slower city is a safer city. Next week, we will discuss all the benefits of a slower City and exactly how slowing traffic reduces casualties.

By Mario Fonda-Bonardi AIA S.M.a.r.t Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow

Thane Roberts, Architect; Robert H. Taylor AIA, Architect; Dan Jansenson, Architect & Building and Fire-Life Safety Commission; Samuel Tolkin Architect & Planning Commissioner, Mario Fonda-Bonardi AIA, Michael Jolly, AIR-CRE.

For previous articles, see www. santamonicaarch.wordpress.com/writing