By Jorge Casuso

December 18, 2024 -- Large housing projects in non-residential neighborhoods that meet zoning standards will be granted a "swift and smooth approval" under a proposal green-lighted by the City Council Tuesday night.

The change -- which would be outlined in an ordinance scheduled to be proposed by staff in April --- allows developments outside single family neighborhoods and the Bergamot area to be approved administratively ("New Council Moves to Streamline Housing Process," December 16, 2024).

Tuesday's vote removes the previous Council's requirement that projects on sites larger than an acre must undergo discretionary hearings and a costly environmental review.

The change will make it easier for the City to meet its state mandate to plan for 8,895 new housing units between 2021 and 2029, Councilmembers said.

"It's just an attempt to make our (approval) process a little smoother, faster and more economical," said Councilmember Jesse Zwick, who co-sponsored the discussion item.

"It's all about buildings that are not only already allowed in our current zoning code, but because of state law we would not have the power to deny them now, even if we wanted," Zwick said.

Former Councilmember Christine Parra, who voted for the one-acre threshold, returned to address the Council after choosing not to run in the November 5 race for four Council seats swept by pro-housing challengers.

"The (new) Council's first order of business is to strip the opportunity of public participation from all Santa Monicans," Parra said.

She noted that public input during discretionary hearings helped address issues and concerns over a major housing development approved by the Council earlier Tuesday night ("New Council to Take Up Amended Projects," December 11, 2024).

"To be able to not participate in the planning process is not only unethical and inequitable but it's undemocratic," Parra said. "Shame on you. You should know better."

In response, several Councilmembers noted that the administrative approval process includes two meetings -- one before a development is submitted, another to receive design approval from the Architectural Review Board (ARB).

The proposed change, said newly elected Councilmember Natalya Zernitskaya, is not an attempt to remove pubic input but a way to add "more of a certainty" that lets investors "know that there's less risk."

Councilmember Dan Hall, was was part of the pro-housing slate backed by Santa Monica's liberal establishment asked if the proposed change would impact Santa Monica Airport, which is slated to close at the end of 2028 and its 227 acres developed as a park.

"This has nothing to do with what can be built," said City Attorney Doug Sloan. "It does not affect what can be built at the airport."

Councilmember Caroline Torosis, who attended the meeting via conference call, echoed Sloan's assurance.

"I have zero intention of having this affect the airport whatsoever," Torosis said.

"If we are going to move housing into commercial spaces, we have to find places to develop housing," she said, noting the Council has voted not to "overburden" single family neighborhoods.

In a brief closing comment, Mayor Lana Negrete, the lone remaining member of the recent Council majority, noted that the proposed change would result in little new affordable housing.

The final vote was 6 to o, with newly elected Councilmember Barry Snell absent.