Written Comments — Santa Monica City Council, August 27, 2024

1 David Yakobson
From: Mike Salazar <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 11:55 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Oppose Item 11A
Attachments: City Council 240827 item 11-A_salazar-opposed.pdf

EXTERNAL
Attached is my letter to our City Council in opposition to staff recommendation in Item 11A. Please distribute to Council, City Manager, Planning staff and all relevant city department heads, as well as for public input.

MIke Salazar, Architect
--
Mike Salazar
The information contained in this e-mail message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or is not the employee or agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please immediately notify us by telephone or reply by e-mail and promptly delete the message. Thank you.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Mike Salazar, Architect

Page 1 of 1 ends

August 27, 2024
TO: Santa Monica City Council
FROM: Mike Salazar, Architect and Ocean Park/Santa Monica Resident RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
I urge our City Council to refuse to declare both 4th/5th Arizona and bergamot Station sites as “surplus” land or exempt from the Surplus Land Act.

Declaring both 4th/5th Arizona and Bergamot Station as “surplus” takes valuable land and resources away from residents. These sites are NOT surplus in the intended sense of the ACT nor what the residents want. Why would this City Council continue to give away our land, especially after the overwhelmingly negative reaction to declaring our landmark Civic Auditorium as surplus land. What a waste of time and city resources that process was, and it should be heeded as a learning moment to NOT make surplus land decisions that the Council knows is not supported and will be opposed by most residents. Our publicly owned land should never be given away without substantial public input.

Claiming to be able to provide 1,100 affordable housing units on these two parcels is just folly.

Especially when staff has not done their homework of analyzing the current status of housing projects city-wide, not inventorying other sites that legitimately are suitable in size and location to enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built within the fabric of the city.

You all know the histories of these two sites, and the passion of residents to have the maximum input on their future buildouts. By assigning these two sites as surplus land, you will lose the opportunity to retain public open spaces that are sorely needed, put at risk one of the best art communities of southern California, and certainly again bring resistance by residents beyond what was experienced at the Civic Center. Do you really want to ignore this likelihood and barrel full speed ahead without your ducks in a row again?
I certainly hope not. I urge this City Council to not make this mistaken Surplus Land assignment again and put staff back to work to bring you options that the entire community can evaluate and ultimately support. Don’t tie the residents’ hands and don’t short-circuit public input.

Sincerely,
Mike Salazar, Architect
Santa Monica/Ocean Park.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
2 David Yakobson
From: Mindi Shank <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 11:53 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
We are living in an overdeveloped city that is hardly recognizable as a beach town anymore. Soon, our city will look like any other metropolis with the unnecessary development that is being built to mostly satisfy investors and those who have a stake in the overdevelopment of our city. We need green spaces, we need art, and we need better oversight and accountability of the projects already underway before rubber stamping more. Throwing money at problems doesn’t always solve them!
I urge the Council to refuse to declare the land at Bergamot Arts Center and 4th/5th and Arizona sites “surplus” or exempt from the SLA, and to instead instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide, and inventory other sites that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built.

Sad to see our city sacrificed to the contractor gods!
Sincerely,
Mindi Shank
Resident, Taxpayer, and Parent to SMMUSD children
2525 29th Street
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
3 David Yakobson
From: Frozan Habib <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 11:42 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
To Whom It May Concern:

I have been a Santa Monica resident for 25+ years and have been extremely disappointed as of late in regards to the boom of private developers capitalizing on our city by building projects us residents are vehemently opposed to. With that said, I urge the City Council not to to declare either of the sites named in agenda item 11-A as surplus or exempt from the SLA. I request that these sites remain as publicly owned lands and would like a report of all the affordable housing projects and their statuses.

Please keep in mind that elections are coming up and so far many residents such as myself are very disappointed in the decisions our current City Council has been making of late.

Sincerely,
Frozan Habib (she/hers)
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
4 David Yakobson
From: Bea Nemlaha <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 11:41 AM
To: Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Oscar de la Torre; Gleam Davis; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27/24 Agenda Item 11-A: Privatizing Our Public Land at 4th/5th & Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
Santa Monica is losing everything special about it which has made its reputation and drawn visitors from both far and wide. It is fast becoming a boring, uninteresting City with little to recommend it except the Bergamot Arts and Cultural Center, its location on the beach, and the Pier.

Likely privatizing Bergamot and the 4th/5th & Arizona recreational corner for commercial and inevitably primarily market rate housing is morally wrong and will not bring back a vibrant City people wish to live in or visit.

Council, please refuse to declare either site “surplus” or exempt from the SLA and pursue other sites more likely to enable the 100% affordable housing projects we need far more than additional market rate housing.

Thank you,
Bea Nemlaha

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
5 David Yakobson
From: Nazaneen Habib <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 11:36 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
To Whom It May Concern:

I am a native and life-long resident of Santa Monica and have been extremely disappointed as of late in regards to the boom of private developers capitalizing on our city by building projects us residents are vehemently opposed to. With that said, I urge the City Council not to to declare either of the sites named in agenda item 11-A as surplus or exempt from the SLA. I request that these sites remain as publicly owned lands and would like a report of all the affordable housing projects and their statuses. Please keep in mind that elections are coming up and so far many residents such as myself are very disappointed in the decisions our current City Council has been making of late.

Sincerely,
Nazaneen Habib (she/hers)
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
6 David Yakobson
From: FRANK SWANSON <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 11:30 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Retain public land

EXTERNAL
Do not p rivitise the 4-5th st properties with another takeover of immense buildings as happens all too often. Retain cultural space please.Emily [email protected]. OP owner rivitise
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
7 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 11:30 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Item 11 -A City Council August 27,2024
From: Mario Fonda-Bonardi <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 11:13 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Item 11 -A City Council August 27,2024

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Persons,
This meeting you are considering the final use of the large City-owned property at 5th and Arizona. Given the incredible high rise growth occurring in our down town area from the 8 story Vons project to the new 24 story project at 601 Colorado, the need for park space is growing exponentially. Please do not do anything that precludes this parcel from eventually becoming a park: that is fullfilling its perfectly placed natural role as our Central Park.

Thanks, Mario Fonda-Bonardi AIA
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
8 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 11:29 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Council bill 11A
From: Larry heliker <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 10:45 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Council bill 11A

EXTERNAL
As a lover of the Bergamont art area, I urge you to reject the proposal that would allow private investment and remove the land from public use.

Larry Heliker
917 Euclid St #6
90403
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
9 David Yakobson
From: Nikki Kolhoff <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 11:28 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Oscar de la Torre Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center - OPPOSE

EXTERNAL
City Council and City Manager -
I urge the City Council to refuse to declare either site “surplus” or exempt from the Surplus Land Act, and to instead instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide (applications, permits, and construction in each income category, as compared to the RHNA targets), and inventory other sites that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built.

THERE IS NO LEGAL REQUIREMENT TO DECLARE LAND SURPLUS TO INVESTIGATE USES

AND THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT IN THE HOUSING ELEMENT THAT THIS HAPPEN NOW, prior investigating all other options. This is the same sham that was used to declare the Civic Auditorium surplus ("just" to speak with parties about interest).

I support the letter below from the Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) and incorporate it herein by reference.

Thanks,
Nikki Kolhoff
Santa Monica Resident

****************************************************************************

August 26, 2024

TO: City Council
FROM: Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
10 Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

When, inevitably, that 100% affordable housing goal is deemed unfeasible, Council will then be able to entertain other proposals, such as requiring only 25% affordable housing, together with market rate housing and commercial revenue-generating uses, like hotels. That’s possible under another exemption of the Surplus Land Act, not specifically cited in the staff report just as the specific 100% affordable housing exemption wasn’t specified either.

Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Preserving public land for open space in a rapidly densifying downtown is extremely important. Even more so now as thousands of new housing units are being built throughout Santa Monica in an attempt to reach state housing goals. Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement.

We urge the Council to refuse to declare either site “surplus” or exempt from the SLA, and to instead instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide, and inventory other sites that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built. ###
Nikki Kolhoff
[email protected]
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
11 David Yakobson
From: karen wood <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 11:25 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council item 11-A

EXTERNAL
Please do not relinquish our beloved Bergamot Arts Center/ 4th and AZ area to developers. This is a much needed property for public land. We do not wish to permit developers to build on this land as the present use is exactly what we need. It's beneficial to our community to have this land used for artistic purposes and to have a publicly owned cultural arts center.

Stating this land will be used for 1100 affordable units is unrealistic so it seems obvious to us that this is a ploy to just take this land away from us. When, inevitably, that 100% affordable housing goal is deemed unfeasible, we're sure this will then be sold to developers with 10-25% affordable housing. You have already destroyed the Ocean Park community with your Gelsons fiasco of 581 units spread over 12 six story buildings all on a small parcel on a two lane street!! Why must you destroy yet another area of our beautiful city. It's beginning to feel like the core and essence of Santa Monica has been stripped and whoever is intent on commercializing and selling us off to those with money are now going to change Santa Monica forever. I used to be a proud citizen of our community but am mortified at the changes being made.

I urge the Council to refuse to declare either site “surplus” or exempt from the SLA, and to instead instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide, and inventory other sites that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built. Please do your job of protecting the integrity of our community.

Karen Wood

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
12 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 11:24 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Do Not Privatize our Public Land

EXTERNAL

Dear Members of the City Council,
I am writing to express my firm and unwavering opposition to the privatization of our public land for private development. The rapid and unchecked pace of construction in our city is leading to severe and irreversible consequences. Overpopulation, increased traffic, mounting waste, and rising pollution levels are suffocating our community.

This reckless expansion needs to stop.

Santa Monica is a unique and cherished place, and the very qualities that make it a world-class destination are being eroded by short-sighted planning and overdevelopment. The idea that Los Angeles residents should have an inherent right to move to Santa Monica, contingent on sufficient housing, is misguided. We are already struggling with a skyrocketing cost of living, and further development will only exacerbate this issue.

I urge you to prioritize the long-term well-being of our city and its residents over the short-term gains of private developers. Protect our public land, preserve the beauty of Santa Monica, and halt this relentless push towards overdevelopment.

Respectfully,

Gary Landi
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
13 David Yakobson
From: Justin Rauzon <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 11:18 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox
Subject: Council Item 11-A

EXTERNAL
Dear city officials,
I write in opposition to the proposed plan to convert public land at 4th/5th and Arizona and the Bergamot Arts Center. Since its 19th-century transformation from California cattle ranch to suburban city, Santa Monica has become a tourist destination, an ideal place for a family home, and a venue to make a lot of money “improving” property.

These interests do not necessarily conflict, but there is plenty of opportunity for one to undermine the others. Privatizing public land — which is the gist of item 11-A — is a prime example.

Our city has been “built out” for at least half of its modern history, and there is no practical way to purchase private land for public use. This makes the stewardship of the City’s portfolio of property even more important, and cries out for transparent and open decision processes.

In my opinion, we aren’t guaranteed that with this item. Please vote “no” on it.

I support the building up of the city, particularly in the downtown area. This is the natural progression of a robust and thriving city. Manhattan once had single-family homes and small buildings. I think the development of mixed-use, multi-level buildings adding housing units downtown is wonderful. Let's facilitate the building of more housing units. But let's do it in a thoughtful manner without sacrificing public spaces. They are as critical to the successful progression of a city as anything else.

Justin Rauzon
414 Euclid Street
562-533-4337
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
14 David Yakobson
From: Josh Trifunovic <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 11:05 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A

EXTERNAL
TO: City Council

FROM: Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC)

RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
15 And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings!

Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Josh Trifunovic
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
16 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 11:00 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council meeting 8/27/2024 Agenda item 11-A

EXTERNAL
I am a long time Santa Monica resident. I strongly oppose the plan to convert Bergamont Station and the 4th and Arizona parcel to surplus land.

These properties belong to us, the people of Santa Monica. They should be used for public purposes only. Do not open the door for private developers to use our land for their private profit.

Harris Gabel
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
1 David Yakobson
From: Larry heliker <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 10:50 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Council bill 11A/ copy of letter sent to city Council

EXTERNAL
From: Larry heliker <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 10:45 AM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: Council bill 11A
As a lover of the Bergamont art area, I urge you to reject the proposal that would allow private investment and remove the land from public use.

Larry Heliker
917 Euclid St #6
90403
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
2 David Yakobson
From: Paula Goldman <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 10:28 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A

EXTERNAL
Dear Council members,
Forgive this group email; I realize time is short.

Please do NOT declare Bergamot Station and the land at 5th and Arizona to be “ surplus land”.

Using our precious, minimal public property to satisfy the State housing mandate is foolish and uncreative.

The result will be a bedroom town of wall-to-wall housing, with few of the amenities that make people want to engage with local services.

I still have trouble understanding how our City allowed the Santa Monica Museum of Art to leave Bergamot; it was (and still is, though hugely inconvenient for Santa Monica residents) a world-class asset.

Using these lands in a way that would not serve the entire public is lazy.

Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Thank you,
Paula Goldman
2821 Washington Avenue
Paula Goldman
PaulaGoldman.com
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
3 David Yakobson
From: Phil Abrams <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 10:29 AM
To: [email protected]; councilmtgitems
Subject: Council item 11-A

EXTERNAL
TO: City Council
FROM: Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings!
Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Best,
Phil
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
4 IMDB
The Audition Physician
- coaching services -
(310) 350-0155
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
5 David Yakobson
From: phillis dudick <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 10:22 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: ITEM 11 August 27/2024 Council Agenda

EXTERNAL
Honorable Mayor Brock and City Councilmembers:

As a Santa Monica resident, lover of the arts and open spaces, I strongly oppose the notion of designating public land at 4th & 5h/Arizona, and at Bergamot Center, as surplus land at this time.

May we reflect, may we be open to exploring potential alternatives; may we think out of the box before making an irreversible decision affecting residents, and our City, for generations to come.

Thank you for your consideration and attention to this matter.

Most sincerely,
Phillis Dudick
San Vicente Resident
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
6 David Yakobson
From: Joyce Smith <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 10:11 AM
To: [email protected]
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council Agenda item 11A

EXTERNAL
Please, please do not declare Bergamont Station surplus land. It is the cultural heart of our city. Likewise do not declare 4/5th streets surplus land. I am a 30+ resident of Santa Monica and my two children are proud graduates of Roosevelt, Lincoln and Samohi AND they have returned to raise their families here.

Sheila Joyce Smith
1133 9th St
Santa Monica,CA 90403
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
7 David Yakobson
From: Jo Baxter <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 10:09 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council Intel 11-A

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
8 ###
Sent from my iPad
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
9 David Yakobson
From: Debra Winchester <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:40 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Today's council meeting item 11A

EXTERNAL
I strongly oppose the proposed designation of the public lands identified below as surplus and add my support to the letter below.

TO: City Council
FROM: Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
10 Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy. Preserving public land for open space in a rapidly densifying downtown is extremely important. Even more so now as thousands of new housing units are being built throughout Santa Monica in an attempt to reach state housing goals. Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement.

Debra
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
11 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:34 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Item 11A
From: Joan Grossman <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 7:18 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Item 11A

EXTERNAL
I urge y,ou to not let the two properties in question be used for privatization.

They are needed for,public use.

Joan Grossman
[email protected]
424-268-4498
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
12 David Yakobson
From: Elizabeth Lerer <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:34 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Oscar de la Torre; Gleam Davis; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick
Subject: Item 11.A. Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor, Vice Mayor and City Councilmembers,
Please reject item 11.A. Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center.

Please refuse to declare either site ‘surplus”or exempt from the Surplus Land Act.

Our publicly owned land should not be given away without public hearings and public input.

Please oppose item 11.A.

Thank you,
Elizabeth Lerer
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
13 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:31 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Privatizing
From: Dorene Gottstein <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 3:22 AM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Privatizing

EXTERNAL
Please don't privatize our public land at Bergamot Station and 4th/5th and Arizona.

Respect
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
14 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:30 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Land at 4th/5th Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center From: Helen Corrigan <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 10:13 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Land at 4th/5th Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
We oppose the designation of the property at 4th/5th Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center as "surplus lands."
These properties are anything but surplus in the increasingly dense, urban landscape of Santa Monica.

Bergamot, especially, is a cultural landmark. Once these properties are lost to private developers, they cannot be retrieved or restored and the quality of life here in the city is irrevocably decreased.

We urge you to vote AGAINST the designation of these properties as "surplus lands." Sincerely,
Helen Corrigan & Fritz Hoffmann
2500 4th Street #8
Santa Monica, CA 90405
We urge you to do the right thing and protect these properties from future development.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
1 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:08 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
From: Lee Rossignol <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 12:41 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
2 And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings!
Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
1 David Yakobson
From: Chen-Chen Lee <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:25 AM
To: [email protected]
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council Item 11-A

EXTERNAL
Hi,
Please do not privatize the public land at Bergamot Arts Center and 4th/5th and Arizona by claiming an impossible goal of building 1100 units of 100% affordable housing on those sites. Thank you.

Chen-Chen Lee
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
2 David Yakobson
From: Suzan Filipek <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:18 AM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Council item 11-!

EXTERNAL
RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center We are sorely losing open space and keeping Santa Monica as a liveable city.

Thank you
Suzan Filipek
421 Marine St.

Santa Monica 90405
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
3 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:17 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: “Surplus land”
From: Connie Sonderegger <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 6:49 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: “Surplus land”

EXTERNAL
Please stop handing out our city’s property to private developers. You all have let Santa Monica become a wasteland of cranes, expensive apartment buildings, office buildings, and for lease signs. Driving north to south on Lincoln you can’t even see the sun anymore, let alone the horizon beyond the beach. I have lived here all of my 69 years and cannot believe what a mess this place has become. I also can’t believe that people choose to visit here.

For what? Please leave us just a bit of our Santa Monica. Bergamot and 4th, 5th and Arizona are there for the people that actually live here to enjoy a skating rink and a little culture.How about thinking of us for a change? Connie Sonderegger
Sent from my iPhone
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
4 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:14 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Protect Bergamot
From: Lee Gershuny <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 5:21 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Protect Bergamot

EXTERNAL
Bergamot would be wiped out as a renowned cultural center, and we would forever lose the potential for public land at 4th/5th and Arizona to be used as open space, something that’s increasingly vital as the downtown rapidly densifies.

Please protect Bergmot!
Lee Gershuny
10801 National Blvd. Suite 255
Los Angeles CA 90064
(310) 282-0777
Any email must include a property address and a phone number for contact.

The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
5 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:13 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Oppose Agenda Item-11 A
From: Randolph Visser <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 3:31 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Oppose Agenda Item-11 A

EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers ,
My wife and I are 50+ year residents of Santa Monica. We are 100% against Agenda Item 11-A, which would permit the City to declare these two huge parcels "Surplus Land", selling them to private developers, and allowing yet more monstrous development . Please do not approve .

Randolph & Linda Visser
1122 Maple Street , SM, CA 90405
Sent from my iPhone
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
6 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:12 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Keep Public land Public
From: Jeffrey Hahn <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 3:19 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Keep Public land Public

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
7 And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings!
Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
8 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:11 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: BERGAMOT
From: Janet Heinle <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 2:29 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: BERGAMOT

EXTERNAL
DO NOT PRIVATIZE BERGAMOT! What the heck is wrong with you! Have you not destroyed us enough! STOP!!!! Janet Heinle
1047 Lincoln
90403
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
9 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:12 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: 11A
From: Linda Androlia <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 2:45 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: 11A

EXTERNAL
Do not take our loved Bergamont station and give it to developers or anyone else. It is wonderful as it is As well as the land at 4/5th Arizona
Linda Androlia
211 California Ave
SM
Sent from my iPhone
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
10 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:11 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: 'surplus land?'
From: Randall Klarin <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 2:26 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: 'surplus land?'

EXTERNAL
Please do NOT allocate the prime lots at 4/5th and Arizona and the lot at Bergamot Station as surplus. They are NOT surplus, they are essential.

Randall Klarin
RW Klarin
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
11 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:11 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Item 11-A
From: Gabrielle <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 1:33 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Item 11-A

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Stop destroying the City with mega development. It is a disgrace.

Respectfully,
Gabrielle de Benedictis
1130 Pearl St
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
12 Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
13 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:10 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Bergamot Station
From: Mara Thompson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 2:17 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Bergamot Station

EXTERNAL
Please note, for council meeting that Bergamot Station is a treasured art focused location, NOT surplus land.

It’s already changed enough, please leave it alone.

Mara Thompson,
Santa Monica
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
14 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:09 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
From: Shari Varnoos <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 1:26 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Preserving public land for open space in a rapidly densifying downtown is extremely important. Even Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
15 more so now as thousands of new housing units are being built throughout Santa Monica in an attempt to reach state housing goals. Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement.

Sincerely
S. Varnoos
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
16 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:09 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Item 11A on 8/27 agenda
From: Peter Spelman <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 1:26 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Item 11A on 8/27 agenda

EXTERNAL
Hello Council Members:

I am writing in opposition to the proposal to declare the property at 4th/5th & Arizona and at Bergamot Station as "surplus" land. As others have pointed out, this will most likely lead to the loss of public space (of which we have so little in Santa Monica) and the ultimate privatization of those properties.

Please do the right thing and protect this community. Don't sell us out. We're watching, and we vote.

Thank you.

Peter Spelman
730 Marine St.

Santa Monica, CA 90405
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
17 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:09 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 12:53 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
Hi, I am a resident of Santa Monica. I agree with SMCLC's letter.

I believe residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

Thanks,
Kelly
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
18 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:09 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Please DO NOT Privatize our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
From: Jessica Wilkins <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 12:52 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Please DO NOT Privatize our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL

TO: City Council
City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Please DO NOT Privatize our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
We residents told the City repeatedly we don’t want to see public land sacrificed for private developments. Examples are 4th/5th and Arizona negotiating the Plaza project, and recently efforts came to save the Civic Auditorium. It’s not surplus land as the Council declared.

The purpose of item 11-A, before you this Tuesday, is to privatize the public land at Bergamot Arts Center and 4th/5th and Arizona by claiming an impossible goal of building 1100 units of 100% affordable housing. Projects of this magnitude are highly unlikely to ever secure the amount of funding required.

It is unethical of Council to claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing.

When the affordable housing goal is deemed unfeasible, Council hopefully will not entertain other proposals, such as requiring only 25% affordable housing, together with market rate housing and commercial revenue-generating uses including hotels.

These projects should not be processed administratively without public hearings.

Publicly owned land uses should not be given away without ANY public input.

Skipping this process would be a fundamental failure of local government.

PLEASE refuse to declare the site “surplus” or exempt from the SLA, and instead tell staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide, and inventory other Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
19 sites that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built.

Thank you,
Jessica Wilkins family
Sent from my iPhone
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
20 David Yakobson
From: Council Mailbox
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:07 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fw: Bergamot space
11A
From: Dan Faris <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 12:40 PM
To: Council Mailbox <[email protected]>
Subject: Bergamot space

EXTERNAL
Please do not privatize the space on 4th/5th and Arizona. There is enough downtown already and It’s too much.

There are so many current projects going on and we need this publicly owned land to be public! And giving it way with out our input?? Shame on whoever is doing this.

Dan Faris
310-351-5205
Sent from my iPhone
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
21 David Yakobson
From: Scott McAuley <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:04 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A comment

EXTERNAL
Please add this to public comments for today’s Council meeting. Thanks//Scott —
RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Since its 19th-century transformation from California cattle ranch to suburban city, Santa Monica has become a tourist destination, an ideal place for a family home, and a venue to make a lot of money “improving” property.

These interests do not necessarily conflict, but there is plenty of opportunity for one to undermine the others. Privatizing public land — which is the gist of item 11-A — is a prime example.

In my opinion, we aren’t guaranteed that with this item. Please vote “no” on it. //Scott McAuley
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
22 David Yakobson
From: Katharine Dreyfuss <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 8:48 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: council item 11-A

EXTERNAL
Dear Council members:

Please do NOT classify our City-owned lands as surplus property (Bergamot Art Center, 4th-5th Street.) I do not approve of privatizing public land. The voting public. not the City Council, needs to decide how to use it.

Thank you for your attention to my fervent request.

Best,
Katharine Dreyfuss
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
23 David Yakobson
From: Elizabeth Van Denburgh <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 8:01 AM
To: Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Oscar de la Torre; Gleam Davis; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis
Cc: councilmtgitems; David White; Susan Cline; David Martin Subject: City Council 8/27/2024 -- Item 11A --Privatizing Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center - OPPOSE - Wilmont Board of Directors

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Brock, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete and City Council Members, Requested Call for Action: The Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition (Wilmont) Board of Directors opposes Item 11A and urges the Council to refuse to declare either site "surplus" or exempt from the Surplus Land Act (SLA), and to instead instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide broken down by market vs. affordable, and inventory other sites that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
Residents have told the city repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the city was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

The sole purpose of item 11-A, before you this Tuesday, is to privatize the public land at Bergamot Arts Center and 4th/5th and Arizona by claiming an impossible goal of building 1,100 units of 100% affordable housing on Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
24 those sites. Even the staff report concedes that projects of this magnitude are highly unlikely to ever secure the amount of funding required.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

These mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings!
Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Preserving public land for open space in a rapidly densifying downtown and city is extremely important. Even more so now as thousands of new housing units are being built throughout Santa Monica in an attempt to reach state housing goals. Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
25 David Yakobson
From: Sandy Weisman <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 8:01 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council Item 11-A

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
I strongly agree with the letter you have received from the Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC).

I’m sick of seeing our beautiful city destroyed by your decisions to develop and destroy.

Sincerely,
Sandra Weisman
1102 11th St. #305
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
1 David Yakobson
From: Helen Corrigan <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 10:17 PM
Cc: councilmtgitems

We urge you to vote AGAINST the designation of these properties as "surplus lands." Do the right thing and protect these properties from future development.

Sincerely,
Helen Corrigan & Fritz Hoffmann
2500 4th Street #8
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
1 David Yakobson
From: Bruce Brown <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 10:03 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: City land use
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged

EXTERNAL
I just sent in a letter to urge the deciders to go w/ the people who love our city, as is, more or less.

Thank you, Bruce F Brown
[email protected] - Cell 310-351-5149
Brown Ósvaldsson, Inc.
1333 Pine St. SM 90405 - Lic. 523683
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
2 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 6:09 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Importance: High

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
3 Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

I have been a Santa Monica resident for almost 40 years and I have seen our city deteriorate from a quiet costal community to a noisy, traffic-ridden, over-commercialized extension of the rest of Los Angeles. I have written countless protests against these negative changes, but it seems the big corporate interests have triumphed every time. I’m sick of it. We all are. Do you represent the residents, or the outside Big Money, Big Corporate interests? Sincerely
Ted Myers
Santa Monica 90403
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
1 David Yakobson
From: Tricia Crane <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 7:30 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Oscar de la Torre; Lana Negrete; Christine Parra; Phil Brock; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Gleam Davis; David White; Douglas Sloan Subject: CIty Council Agenda item 11-A - Request that Council Vote NO on the proposed use of city owned land

EXTERNAL
August 27, 2024
To: Mayor Brock and City Council members
From: The Board of Northeast Neighbors
Re: Agenda item 11-A – 4th/5th & Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center Dear Mayor Brock and Council,
In the interest of the long-term economic health of our city and the critical need to preserve our limited open space for the common good, the Board of Northeast Neighbors requests that the Council reject the staff proposal and vote NO on 11-A.

While these two parcels were designated for Affordable Housing Development in the City's 6th Cycle Housing Element, this Council can and should revisit this designation and engage with the community before moving forward.

Thank you
Tricia Crane on behalf of the Board of Northeast Neighbors Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
2 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 6:53 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Iten 11-A

EXTERNAL
TO: City Council
FROM: Nancy Griffin and family - 3 generation Santa Monica residents.

RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

We are horrified and devastated by how Santa Monica is changing and NOT for the better.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
3 Nancy Griffin and family
3rd generation Santa Monica residents
630 San Vicente Blvd.

Santa Monica, CA 90402
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
4 David Yakobson
From: Gary Freedman <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 6:09 AM
To: [email protected]; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Gleam Davis; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; councilmtgitems; David White; Douglas Sloan
Subject: Item 11.A on Council Agenda

EXTERNAL
To the City Council and City Clerk
Please note for the official record my objection to Item 11.A. on tonight's agenda.

Bergamot Station has been under utilized for too many years, and this proposed use will only do less for the City than it does now.

Gary Freedman
533 9th Street
Santa Monica, Ca
resident since 1975
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
5 David Yakobson
From: Faustino Garza <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 5:34 AM
To: Council Mailbox; Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A

EXTERNAL
I strongly oppose this proposal to declare our public properties at Bergamot Arts Center and 4th/5th and Arizona as "surplus land".

I furthermore oppose any proposal to build "affordable" housing on those publicly owned sites.

Faustino Garza
37-year homeowner and resident
Sunset Park

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
6 David Yakobson
From: Christie Savage <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 5:13 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council Item 11-A

EXTERNAL
Regarding Council item 11-A, I urge you NOT to declare public land at Bergamot Station and 4th/5th St sites as “surplus” or exempt from the SLA.

The loss of the Bergamot site as a unique center for the arts would be another sad chapter in the apparent disregard for preserving the few cultural offerings our town has left to offer residents and tourists alike.

The development of the 4th/5th St. site in the center of town would be another extension of what seems to be the current goal of creating canyons of mega residences akin to urban New York rather than retaining a comfortable beach town with a balance of commercial, residential and open spaces.

It would like to see current taxpayers have a say in how this public land is used.

Thank you for carefully considering this action.

C. Savage
Sent from my iPad
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
7 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 2:45 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council item 11-A

EXTERNAL
TO: City Council
FROM: Alexandra Baron
RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Cheers,
Alexandra Baron, Santa Monica resident
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
8 Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
9 David Yakobson
From: Ed Harker <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 1:50 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council item 11-A - Aug 27 2024

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
I wholeheartedly agree with the letter below. PLEASE do not grant "surplus" status to our publicly owned lands. I'm particularly appalled at the idea that the city would lose the Bergemot Center, just the way it is, an oasis of culture, a true gift for our city. You can go deep with artistic visions and on a personal level (without feeling you're in a high end tourist trap like certain developments might become).

Sincerely, don't make this tragic mistake for our genuinely aesthetic city.

Thank you,
Ed Harker, resident since 1984
2029 20th St
TO: City Council
FROM: Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
10 When, inevitably, that 100% affordable housing goal is deemed unfeasible, Council will then be able to entertain other proposals, such as requiring only 25% affordable housing, together with market rate housing and commercial revenue-generating uses, like hotels. That’s possible under another exemption of the Surplus Land Act, not specifically cited in the staff report just as the specific 100% affordable housing exemption wasn’t specified either.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
11 David Yakobson
From: mdosti <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 12:42 AM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
TO: City Council
FROM: Marya Dosti, Santa Monica Resident
RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
I concur with the opinion noted in the letter below from the Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) opposing the privatizing our public land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center.

Sincerely,
Marya Dosti
###
TO: City Council
FROM: Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings!
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
12 Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

We urge the Council to refuse to declare either site “surplus” or exempt from the SLA, and to instead instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide, and inventory other sites that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built. ###
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
13 David Yakobson
From: Randi Singer <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 11:40 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

Even the staff report concedes that projects of this magnitude are highly unlikely to ever secure the amount of funding required.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings! Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Thank you,
Randi Singer
Santa Monica resident
2700 Neilson Way Apt 1031
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
14 David Yakobson
From: Allison Dollar <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 10:47 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Bergamot Arts Center property certainly not "surplus"

EXTERNAL
August 26, 2024
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
It has been brought to my attention that you and the City are considering privatizing the Bergamot Arts Center using some workarounds to strictures by leveraging bids which incorporate 100% affordable housing units on the property.

Sigh. How many times will you be hoodwinked by this tired trope? There is ample evidence that THIS WON'T WORK. Why are we still following other beautiful small beach cities in this nation into the sewer of overdevelopment? Using land this way doesn't solve the housing crisis. It merely destroys the whole value of living in this city.

Does no one there have any imagination as to leveraging more modern models combining public/private partnerships, corporate sponsorship, consumer brands, i.e. restrained and thematic mixed use? As I've noted before, it's difficult for me to imagine being so short sighted. I'm not opposed to some development there, adding a measured and realistic amount of housing and perhaps some retail. But it's possible to do that and still retain its primacy as an arts center with open space for the public.

Otherwise, once again you're taking the easy way out by kowtowing to private interests in a short sighted bid for short-term cash. We're way into the 21st century. Do better.

Respectfully,
Allison Dollar
[email protected]
310 428 5079
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
15 David Yakobson
From: Rosemary Ford <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 10:47 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

Even the staff report concedes that projects of this magnitude are highly unlikely to ever secure the amount of funding required.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings! Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
16 David Yakobson
From: Nancy Morse <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 10:20 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27/24 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
TO: City Council
FROM: Nancy Morse
RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center Do not declare city owned property as “exempt surplus land”. Once land leaves city ownership, it does not come back. Once buildings are built, the open space is lost. As this land belongs to the citizens, it should have a use for and by citizens.

Council needs to listen to the citizens who objected to the Plaza at 4th/5th and Arizona, and objected to the Civic Auditorium taken out of public use. Declaring the Bergamot Arts Center surplus would change the character of the arts center.

To privatize public lands is rude and disrespectful to the public.

It would be irresponsible for city council to do this.

I have been a resident of Santa Monica since the mid '80s, and in my present residence since 1990. Please keep Santa Monica for the people.
-Nancy Morse
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
17 David Yakobson
From: Ashley Griffin <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 10:14 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Ashley Griffin
Lifelong Santa Monica resident
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
18 David Yakobson
From: Susan hires <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 10:14 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council item 11-A

EXTERNAL
please don’t sell our public land such as 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamont. We need to support children, teens, young people and people of all ages within our community with wholesome activities to do. These public space provides this.

Thank you , Susan Hires,
resident owner in Santa Monica.

Sent from iPhone 812-343-5182
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
19 David Yakobson
From: A Glennon <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 9:50 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
To Whom It May Concern,
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
20 We urge the Council to refuse to declare either site “surplus” or exempt from the SLA, and to instead instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide, and inventory other sites that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built.

Respectfully,
Angélique Glennon
Santa Monica Resident
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
21 David Yakobson
From: Abby Adams <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 9:13 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
I agree 1000% with the SMCLC regarding NOT declaring the property that Bergamot Arts sits on surplus land in order to sell out to developers who are ruining our city! Abby Adams
resident for 40 years
TO: City Council
FROM: Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
22 Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
23 David Yakobson
From: Rebecca Nunnelee <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 9:11 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
I respectfully request the City Council vote against approval of item 11-A, and refuse to privatize the public land at Bergamot Arts Center and 4th/5th and Arizona. Please stop, think about the consequences of declaring public land as “surplus land,” which clearly would pave the way for its sale for non-cultural uses (i.e., private development that does not benefit the residents of Santa Monica).

City Council members are fully aware of the huge mega projects that have been forced on Santa Monica. Before moving forward with any further development (via use of “surplus land,”) it makes more sense to assess the current status of housing projects city wide. This information should be freely shared with all residents of Santa Monica. High density projects have appeared throughout the City, with no input from residents. This pattern must cease.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Preserving public land for open space in a rapidly densifying downtown is extremely important. Even more so now as thousands of new housing units are being built throughout Santa Monica in an Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
24 attempt to reach state housing goals. Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement.

Rebecca Nunnelee
City Resident
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
25 David Yakobson
From: Marianne <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 8:48 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council item 11-A

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

We urge the Council to refuse to declare either site “surplus” or exempt from the SLA, and to instead instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide, and inventory other sites Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
26 that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built.

We need arts and culture in Santa Monica, and we need Bergamot Art Center.

Thank you!
Concerned SM resident
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
27 David Yakobson
From: adams archives <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 7:55 PM
To: Michelle Page
Cc: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Re: Please do not privatize Bergamot

EXTERNAL
You are so sweet, thank you!
On Mon, Aug 26, 2024 at 1:55 PM Michelle Page <[email protected]> wrote:

Dear City Council:

You are sitting on a gem that is irreplaceable and that should be nurtured. It is something to be proud of and is unique to Santa Monica.

A Michelle Page
--
310.828.2628 Land line - no texting
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
28 David Yakobson
From: Bob Taylor <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 8:11 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Christine Parra; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre
Cc: David Martin; David White; Susan Cline; Jing Yeo; Jennifer Taylor; Jenny Rogers; Sofia Klatzker; Douglas Sloan; Susan Cola; Dan Jansenson; Thane Roberts; Mario FondaBonardi; Samuel Tolkin; Michael Jolly; Marie Standing; Hillbrand, Jack; Dara Kimball; Arlene Hopkins; cheryl rhoden
Subject: August 27, 2024 Council Meeting - Item 11A - OPPOSE

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Brock & Council Members:

I am in agreement with the attached position papers from SMCLC (Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City), and from Recreation & Parks Commissioner Ann Hoover, and express my opposition to Agenda Item 11A appearing before you tomorrow night. You are being asked to vote on whether the public’s land at 4th/5th & Arizona, as well as the Bergamot Arts Center, should be declared “surplus land”. I urge you to oppose this item and vote NO.

Also attached are links to 14 SMa.r.t. (Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow) columns, spanning more than 10 years, addressing the need for open space, a ‘Central Park’, at 4th/5th & Arizona.

Thank you,
Bob Taylor, AIA
Ocean Park Resident
From SMCLC:

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
29 The sole purpose of item 11-A, before you this Tuesday, is to privatize the public land at Bergamot Arts Center and 4th/5th and Arizona by claiming an impossible goal of building 1100 units of 100% affordable housing on those sites. Even the staff report concedes that projects of this magnitude are highly unlikely to ever secure the amount of funding required.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings! Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Dear Mayor Brock and Esteemed Councilmembers:

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
30 There is shock in many corners of the City upon learning that two of our largest remaining public land assets were committed in Program 2.E. of the 6th Cycle Housing Element for huge amounts of affordable housing without ANY public process to highlight and discuss that decision with the community, despite the fact that our certified Housing Element states that affordable housing on City-owned properties will be subject to a public process:
"Program 2.E. commits City-owned sites for the development of affordable housing through a public process that would maximize the amount of affordable housing that could be feasibly developed." (page 111, City of Santa Monica / 2021-2029 Housing Element)

There is something seriously wrong with State housing production rules and policy, lobbied for by developers, and also with local decision-making, likewise impacted by developer interests, that now has Council poised to gut the Bergamot Arts and Cultural campus and obliterate the last hope of a park and other public amenities at 4th/5th & Arizona in Downtown. Downtown is densifying at a dizzying clip - its residents need more parks and other community & recreational space for basic livability, wellness, and quality of life.

So I vehemently OPPOSE putting these public assets on the chopping block in the manner contemplated by the Staff Report and Attachments, but if you are intent upon doing so tomorrow night, I respectfully encourage you to do the following:
 Deal structures - please confirm adherence to proposed ground lease structures - NEVER SELL PUBLIC LAND!!
 Order - Determine to do 4th/5th & Arizona first with the parcels done separately to maximize the possibility of affordable housing funding / tax credits for the sites + avoid the public expenditure of having to hire 2 new Staffers
 4th/5th Outreach - Direct a robust community engagement process ASAP for 4th/5th & Arizona to gather community input regarding outdoor space, other community amenities, and preferred revenuegenerating commercial uses at the site  Direct that the RFP for 4th/5th & Arizona be informed by the community engagement process and include at minimum -
o Significant increase to the # of affordable units required at these sites to take some of the pressure off at Bergamot
o Mandate for a community-serving commercial use such as a ground level indoor permanent ice/skating rink & bowling alley & community center
o Inclusion of rentable large community meeting room/event space, with a 300-person suggested seating capacity (and a 150-person capacity for banquet-style seating) + appropriate storage for tables and chairs
o Include usable public open and green space(s)
 Bergamot Outreach - Direct a robust community engagement process ASAP for Bergamot to gather community input and ideas regarding retention of existing businesses, the theatre, galleries, etc., plus outdoor space for events & other community amenities, with the goal of maintaining iconic Bergamot as a premier destination for visual arts and culture in our City at least at ground level
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
31  Direct that the RFP for Bergamot be informed by the community engagement process and include at minimum -
o Requirement for a plan to retain all existing tenants so as to maintain the arts and cultural campus
o Requirement for artist housing as part of the affordable units o Requirement for a 300-person seating capacity meeting room (with 150-person capacity for banquet-style seating) + appropriate storage for tables and chairs, which would be rentable for community and other events
o A mandate for open, green space(s)
 Direct Planning Staff to construct and implement ASAP an aggressive program to incentivize conversion of empty office spaces into affordable housing to help meet the affordable housing quota mandated by the State in this 6th Cycle Housing Element and to take the pressure off of Bergamot and 4th/5th & Arizona
Thank you so much for your time reading this and for your careful consideration of these difficult decisions involving precious community assets.

Sincerely,
Ann Bowman
Resident, 28 years
Recreation and Parks Commissioner
Santa Monica Architects for a Responsible Tomorrow columns re: 4th/5th & Arizona:
https://smmirror.com/2019/10/sma-r-t-we-need-a-real-plaza-at-santa-monica/ https://smmirror.com/2019/10/plaza-at-santa-monicas-groundhog/ https://smmirror.com/2019/10/plaza-at-santa-monicas-groundhog-day-part-2/ https://smmirror.com/2019/09/is-santa-monicas-heart-for-sale-2/ https://smmirror.com/2019/03/open-space-is-there-any-left/ https://smmirror.com/2019/02/is-santa-monicas-heart-for-sale/ https://smmirror.com/2019/01/4th-street-and-arizona-ave/ https://smmirror.com/2019/10/sma-r-t-we-need-a-real-plaza-at-santa-monica/ https://smdp.com/2016/01/09/why-urban-planning-in-santa-monica-is-a-wicked-problem/ https://smdp.com/2015/10/24/plaza-santa-monica-its-deja-vu-again/ https://smdp.com/2015/10/17/just-say-no/
https://smdp.com/2015/08/08/santa-monica-championing-parks/ https://smdp.com/2014/07/31/sm-a-r-t-s-questions-santa-monica-city-council-candidates/ https://smdp.com/2014/06/21/smart-thinking/
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
32 Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
33 David Yakobson
From: Maia Berens <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 8:08 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Do not privatize public lands

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings! Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
34 Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
35 David Yakobson
From: Marc Verville <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 8:02 PM
To: Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Christine Parra; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Gleam Davis
Cc: David White; Douglas Sloan; councilmtgitems
Subject: SMCC 2024-08-27 Item 11.A. - City-Owned Sites Designated as Surplus Land

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Brock and Honorable Councilmembers,
Re: SMCC 2024-08-27 Item 11.A. - City-Owned Sites Designated as Surplus Land This leƩer is in strong opposiƟon to any and all recommendaƟons to approve this item. Below are the specifics of this opposiƟon.

Woefully Incomplete Financial Impact Analysis:

Completely absent is any analysis of the twin negaƟve impacts of general fund revenue constricƟon from shrinking the commercial infrastructure support base and the parallel increase in general fund cost trends driven by the massive Regional Housing Needs AllocaƟon (RHNA) housing development being built at breakneck pace in the city. Specifically:

1. Staff admission in this item’s report that the full extent of the direct (i.e. parking revenue) financial impact may be unknown and will require further study despite the irreversible nature of the surplus designaƟon decision. Impact on current and potenƟal revitalized future business revenues (and associated sales taxes) is unacknowledged.

2. Nonexistent analysis of impact to the city’s commercial revenue generaƟng capabiliƟes (and therefore associated sales tax) for all these proposed disposals of city assets

3. Nonexistent analysis of the accelerated cost growth in the General Fund from the massive state RHNA-driven development that will require accelerated General Fund revenue growth to pay for services (e.g. Fire, Police, Public Works) and infrastructure investment
a. The economically baseless and discreƟonary RHNA allocaƟons of 8,895 units should have been audited by the city and strongly challenged in 2019 during the 6 th Cycle draŌing period
b. The imperaƟve of an audit in 2019 was clearly known at the Ɵme as then-mayor McKeown noted in the 12-10-2019 Council meeƟng the risk to the city of the Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
36 allocaƟons ballooning to an effecƟve 30,000+ unit development impact (which sƟll holds)
c. Given the path of significant and permanent economic dislocaƟon this city asset disposal process poses to our city, these allocaƟons should be audited and challenged now, especially in anƟcipaƟon of the upcoming 7th Cycle allocaƟon process

4. Erroneous and completely misleading asserƟons of no (General Fund) financial impact from the eliminaƟon of commercial infrastructure, like what was done in the 2021 Parking Structure 3 (PS3) report
a. With the known increased cost pressures on the General Fund services and infrastructure spend from RHNA development, the need to increase the rate of General Fund revenue growth completely contradicts the PS3 financial analysis asserƟon that status quo parking capacity with the PS6 addiƟon was somehow a sufficient tradeoff

5. Nonexistent analysis of the revenue growth requirements of the General Fund, especially given the City’s recent General Fund-driven Lease Revenue Bond credit raƟng downgrade

6. Omission of any acknowledgement, let alone quanƟficaƟon, of the fundamental reason for the existence of this public infrastructure’s in the first place – to support business acƟvity that is a major contributor to the city’s General Fund through sales tax revenues. None of these potenƟal city revenue losses are even acknowledged, let alone quanƟfied.

DestrucƟon of revenue-generaƟng city assets
Disingenuously, the city is using the excuse of a Covid effect hangover, its own completely ineffecƟve homeless policies, and its irresponsible public safety policies, to support the narraƟve of a dead commercial environment and thereby jusƟfy dismantling irreplaceable commercial infrastructure. Asking for studies of parking structure uƟlizaƟon during these periods of depressed commercial acƟvity is a key example.

This agenda-serving city narraƟve would have us believe that the city is a bystander with absolutely no agency to turn anything around.

Our city government has agency to change the commercial course, and must do so.

This policy can only lead to huge increases resident taxaƟon These parallel negaƟve trends are creaƟng the unannounced pressure to migrate the city financial model to direct taxaƟon of the residents to support basic city services and ameniƟes. The eliminaƟon of commercial infrastructure (such as parking lots) increasingly Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
37 impedes not only a full commercial recovery but eliminates future commercially-driven revenue growth capabiliƟes.

No resident parƟcipaƟon or representaƟon
Not only are the residents excluded from this decision to eliminate the city’s tradiƟonal economic model, but their opportunity to vote looks to become strictly limited to an aŌer-thefact plebiscite on how much to increase their parcel taxes and those of our businesses to avoid service cutbacks and eliminaƟons.

ImperaƟve for City Planning on Commercial Recovery
The city’s narraƟve insists that it has no agency to turn the commercial environment around. This asserƟon cannot be further from reality. It is inconceivable that a beauƟful world-renown beachside city that retains it’s potenƟal to be a huge global visitor desƟnaƟon, with an exclusively unique civic asset porƞolio of the Promenade, Santa Monica Place, the Civic Center and the Pier, lacks the ability to revitalize its business environment to world-class levels and standards.

With only 4% of the city’s land area, Downtown drove over 34% of the city’s sales tax receipts in 2012. In 2023, that share of sales tax receipts had plummeted to less than 22%. Total city sales tax growth from 2012 to 2023 was an anemic 8.8%, or 0.8% per year.

Conclusions

1. The city needs to become laser focused on ensuring maintenance of its own financial health.

2. The city needs to become very serious in the planning and execuƟon of its commercial recovery.

3. The city narraƟve that work-from-home, online commerce and other factors render the legacy economic model irrelevant makes absolutely no sense. One of the City’s basic jobs is to adapt its commercial policies to ensure the residents thrive.

4. The first step in this process is the immediate cessaƟon of commercial asset destrucƟon.

5. This item must be voted NO!
Respecƞully,
Marc L. Verville
Chair, Santa Monica Audit SubcommiƩee
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
38 David Yakobson
From: Darko Yo <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 7:57 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Against City Council 8/27 item 11-A

EXTERNAL
The sole purpose of item 11-A, before you this Tuesday, is to privatize the public land at Bergamot Arts Center and 4th/5th and Arizona by claiming an impossible goal of building 1100 units of 100% affordable housing on those sites. Even the staff report concedes that projects of this magnitude are highly unlikely to ever secure the amount of funding required.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings! Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
39 David Yakobson
From: Wendy Dembo <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 7:32 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
What is the hurry? Don't do anything rash that will change the essence of Santa Monica, just so that developers can make some money.

NMS is offering six weeks of free rent for their apartment buildings downtown. Clearly, there is a gut of expensive rental properties. We don't need more.

Long-time Santa Monica residents want the opportunity to buy a home. All of the new housing is rental.

Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

When, inevitably, that 100% affordable housing goal is deemed unfeasible, the Council will then be able to entertain other proposals, such as requiring only 25% affordable housing, together with market-rate housing and commercial revenue-generating uses, like hotels. That’s possible under another exemption of the Surplus Land Act, not specifically cited in the staff report just as the specific 100% affordable housing exemption wasn’t specified either.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Preserving public land for open space in a rapidly densifying downtown is extremely important. Even more so now thousands of new housing units are being built throughout Santa Monica in an attempt to reach state housing goals. Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
40 We urge the Council to refuse to declare either site “surplus” or exempt from the SLA, and to instead instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide, and inventory other sites that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built.

Wendy Dembo
Santa Monica Resident and voter
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
41 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 7:25 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 11

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council:

Public land must be used for a public purpose. That is true at the airport, at Bergamot, and at 4th/5th and Arizona.

Residents want a PARK at 4th/5th and Arizona with underground parking to provide revenue. The Downtown area needs this green space! The City needs this green space. Not another high rise.

I will be watching your votes on Item 11.

Thank you.

Cindy Bendat (resident and homeowner since 1990)
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
42 David Yakobson
From: Dan Charn. <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 7:20 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox; David White; [email protected] Subject: CC MTG 8/27/24 ITEM 11-A OPPOSE PRIVATIZATION

EXTERNAL
Sent by Danielle Charney
Nobody says it better.

All I have to say is 'STOP SELLING OUR CITY OUT"
FIRE STEPHANIE REICH..DAVID MARTIN.. AND
DAVID WHITE NOW...

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Preserving public land for open space in a rapidly densifying downtown is extremely important. Even Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
43 more so now as thousands of new housing units are being built throughout Santa Monica in an attempt to reach state housing goals. Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement.

We urge the Council to refuse to declare either site “surplus” or exempt from the SLA, and to instead instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide, and inventory other sites that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built.
###
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
44 David Yakobson
From: Carol Eisman <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 6:52 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Publicy Owned Lands should be for Public Use

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings! Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
45 Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy. Preserving public land for open space in a rapidly densifying downtown is extremely important. Even more so now as thousands of new housing units are being built throughout Santa Monica in an attempt to reach state housing goals. Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement.

Sincerely,
Carol Eisman
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
46 David Yakobson
From: Leigh Bushnell <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 6:50 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

We urge the Council to refuse to declare either site “surplus” or exempt from the SLA, and to instead instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide, and inventory other sites Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
47 that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
48 David Yakobson
From: Abigail Sheiner <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 6:29 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council item 11-A

Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

These mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings!
Publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Preserving public land for open space in a rapidly densifying downtown is important.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
49 Thousands of new housing units are being built throughout Santa Monica in an attempt to reach state housing goals. Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement.

Thank you.

Regards,
Abigail Sheiner
90036
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
50 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 6:18 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: FW: Council item 11-A
Importance: High

EXTERNAL
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 6:09 PM
To: '[email protected]' <[email protected]> Cc: '[email protected]' <[email protected]> Subject: Council item 11-A
Importance: High
Dear City Council,
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
51 And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings!
Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

I have been a Santa Monica resident for almost 40 years and I have seen our city deteriorate from a quiet costal community to a noisy, traffic-ridden, over-commercialized extension of the rest of Los Angeles. I have written countless protests against these negative changes, but it seems the big corporate interests have triumphed every time. I’m sick of it. We all are. Do you represent the residents, or the outside Big Money, Big Corporate interests? Sincerely
Ted Myers
Santa Monica 90403
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
52 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 6:09 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Christine Parra; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre; David White; Susan Cline; David Martin; Jing Yeo; Jennifer Taylor; Jenny Rogers; Sofia Klatzker; Douglas Sloan; Susan Cola Subject: Fwd: Fw: August 27, 2024 Council Meeting - Item 11.A - OPPOSE

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Brock and Esteemed Councilmembers:

I agree with many within Santa Monica to urge the Council to refuse to declare either site “surplus” or exempt from the SLA, and to instead instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide, and inventory other sites that legitimately are of a suitable size actually to enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built.

Please consider the recommendations, from Ann Hoover, for the city to embrace the Bergamont and the 4th/5th Outreach programs to enhance the Santa Monica spirit of place and not sell the public lands without the benefit of public and professional input from the citizens.

Thank you,
Jack Hillbrand, President
STUDIO1323
Resident,17 years

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
53 David Yakobson
From: Andrew Turman <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 6:08 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: council item 11-a

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
54 Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy. Preserving public land for open space in a rapidly densifying downtown is extremely important. Even more so now as thousands of new housing units are being built throughout Santa Monica in an attempt to reach state housing goals. Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement.

Andrew Turman
Highland Avenue, Santa Monica 90405
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
55 David Yakobson
From: Tim Hanson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 5:52 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council Item 11-A

EXTERNAL
I agree wholeheartedly with SMCLC's position. And I am a frequent visitor to Bergamot Arts Center.

It is a Santa Monica treasure, and it would be a crime against the city to cede it to commercial development.

Tim Hanson
223 Strand St., Apt. F
90405
TO: City Council
FROM: Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
56 Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
57 David Yakobson
From: lmarreola <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 5:40 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Privatizing Public Land

EXTERNAL
Please do not privatize public land. Public land is precious and should be used for things the public and tax payers want.

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, an AT&T 5G smartphone Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
58 David Yakobson
From: Customer Service <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 5:38 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: ITEM 11-A

EXTERNAL
Please do not use the 2 properties as SURPLUS LAND.

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
59 David Yakobson
From: Jaleh MIRHASHEMI <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 5:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Christine Parra; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre
Cc: David White; Susan Cline; David Martin; Jing Yeo; Jennifer Taylor; Jenny Rogers; Sofia Klatzker; Douglas Sloan; Susan Cola
Subject: August 27, 2024 Council Meeting - Item 11.A - OPPOSE - Development of the 4th/5th and Arizona & Bergamot Station Arts Center to Housing

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Brock and Esteemed Councilmembers,
This is really unacceptable!! These two precious lands are owned by the public and we the residents need the City and Council to consider the projects that are more community oriented with the community input - such as a public recreational park on 4th/5th St & Arizona (i.e., Central Park, NY) and an art cultural community center (i.e., Montmarte Art District, Paris.)
After all the huge developments in downtown, i.e., building housings in parking lot #3, Recreational park space is even more necessary now.

Bergamot Station Art Center can be a community center for arts and artists with small art museum/exhibitions surrounded by a green space that can attract visitors from the city and elsewhere.

Why is the city in so much of a rush to build public lands in addition to approving all developers’ plans for housing/affordable housings. We all know that there are not such affordable housing options for residents but the market rate housings are being built for non-residents and this is only benefitting the developers and their supporters.

We need the city staff to provide the current list and number of housings that have been built or are in the processes of being built in the City’s 6th Cycle Housing Element/RHNA. Also we need to know the current number of empty offices and housings in Santa Monica before the next housing cycle.

Thank you for your consideration and your support of the residents’ needs.

Sincerely,
Jaleh Mirhashemi
Santa Monica Resident - 23 years
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
60 David Yakobson
From: Judy Hopkins <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 5:28 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
As a long-time resident of Santa Monica, I agree wholeheartedly with the letter sent to you today by the Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City opposing the declaration of the publicly owned lands at 4th/5th and Arizona and the Bergamot Arts Center as “surplus” land. Any surplus City-owned land should be used for public purposes. Santa Monica is already park poor, and giving up the opportunity to build a park in the midcity doesn’t make sense. Nor does destroying Bergamot as a cultural center. Overdevelopment is already rampant in Santa Monica and benefits only the developers.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Judy Hopkins
844 7th St. #7
SM 90403
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
61 David Yakobson
From: Lee Gershuny <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 5:22 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Protect Bergamot

Please protect Bergmot!
Lee Gershuny
10801 National Blvd. Suite 255
Los Angeles CA 90064
(310) 282-0777
Any email must include a property address and a phone number for contact.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
62 David Yakobson
From: Gerry OWEN <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 5:20 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council Item 11-A

EXTERNAL
We, Gerry and Linda Owen, OPPOSE selling the parcels that would allow more building, higher building, in Santa Monica. We’ve lived here 25 years, walked from our home to work at 320 Wilshire, enjoyed the Promenade - before it became corporate, survived COVID but had to give up our office. This was the first time in my life that Gerry could walk anywhere.

But Santa Monica has grown higher, not friendlier. Looking down Lincoln, seven cranes penetrated the sky!
Please, there need to be limits to this kind of growth. We mourn the Santa Monica we moved into those year ago.

Gerry and Linda Owen
Gerry Owen MFT 310-395-9631
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
63 David Yakobson
From: George Ferrell <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 5:06 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members:

We do not favor designating the land on which the Bergamot Arts Center sits to be "surplus" and thus eligible for development into housing and possibly commercial uses. We favor using the land for cultural and recreational purposes. Relative to comparably-sized cities in California, Santa Monica is deficient in parks and recreational and cultural facilities, and when asked, citizens have overwhelmingly favored increasing such public amenities. Again, the city staff is proposing actions that oppose the what citizens want. Whose benefit is the staff working for anyway? We urge the council to represent the desires of residents instead of special interests.

Peggy and George Ferrell
338 15th Street
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
64 David Yakobson
From: karenalways <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 5:02 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Bergamot Station - unique Santa Monica value :City council 8/27 Item 11-A

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
I grew up on Santa Monica and now live nearby with my children. My mother has been in her Santa Monica home for about 55 years. We treasure Bergamot Station as the cultural hub it’s been for my children’s lifetime, and the land at 4th-5th streets and Arizona as well.

I ask that you decline to declare the publicly owned lands at 4th/5th and Arizona and the Bergamot Arts Center as “surplus” land. Privatizing this public land would gravely diminish some of the city’s finer qualities, and be contrary to the values instilled in us throughout our Santa Monica upbringing.

Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

The sole purpose of item 11-A, before you this Tuesday, is to privatize the public land at Bergamot Arts Center and 4th/5th and Arizona by claiming an impossible goal of building 1100 units of 100% affordable housing on those sites. Even the staff report concedes that projects of this magnitude are highly unlikely to ever secure the amount of funding required. But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings! Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government. Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy. Preserving public land for open space in a rapidly densifying downtown is extremely important. Even more so now as thousands of new housing units are being built throughout Santa Monica in an attempt to reach state housing goals.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
65 Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement. We urge the Council to refuse to declare either site “surplus” or exempt from the SLA, and to instead instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide, and inventory other sites that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built.

Thank you for considering the voices that Santa Monica has cultivated for many decades, including my and my family’s and neighbors’ voices here. Please do the right thing. Preserve the accessibility and culture that make this city stand out and welcome all.

Karen Dreyfuss
310-339-7707
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
1 David Yakobson
From: karenalways <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 4:58 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Bergamot Station - unique Santa Monica value :City council 8/27 Item 11-A

Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings! Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
2 Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement. We urge the Council to refuse to declare either site “surplus” or exempt from the SLA, and to instead instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide, and inventory other sites that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
3 David Yakobson
From: Michele Modglin <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 4:53 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: ITEM 11-A council meeting on August 27

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council:

The following letter reflects my exact feelings about item 11-A, to be discussed on August 27th.

Please preserve our public open spaces for the residents of Santa MOnica! Build parks not multistory structures that hide the open blue skies and stop the flow of our lovely sea breezes.

Enough already! Respect the wishes of the tax paying residents who do not want our public lands destroyed and made unusable by the community at large.

Thank you,
Michele Modglin
Resident in SM for more that 40 years
TO: City Council
FROM: Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
4 And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings!
Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

We urge the Council to refuse to declare either site “surplus” or exempt from the SLA, and to instead instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide, and inventory other sites that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built.
###
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
5 David Yakobson
From: Michael Saltzman <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 4:52 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Bergamot Station

EXTERNAL
I’m including what amounts to a form letter someone sent me regarding Bergamot Station, which is in a situation I wasn’t aware of.

Suffice it to say that it would be foolish, short-sighted, and outrageous to do anything that jeopardizes the continuing existence of this rare and valuable piece of Santa Monica. I vehemently oppose any proposed changes. That’s where I stand, and urge the council to reject whatever plans are under consideration. But just to be thorough, here’s the letter I was sent, and which I agree with 100%.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Preserving public land for open space in a rapidly densifying downtown is extremely important. Even more so now as thousands of new housing units are being built throughout Santa Monica in an attempt to reach state Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
6 housing goals. Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement.

Sincerely,
Michael Saltzman
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
7 David Yakobson
From: Metin Mangir <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 4:47 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: PLEASE Do NOT surplus "publicly owned lands at 4th/5th and Arizona and the Bergamot Arts Center"

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members,
RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
8 Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy. Preserving public land for open space in a rapidly densifying downtown is extremely important. Even more so now as thousands of new housing units are being built throughout Santa Monica in an attempt to reach state housing goals. Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement.

Respectfully,
Metin Mangir, PhD
536 16th street
Santa Monica 90402
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
9 David Yakobson
From: Bridget Terry <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 4:37 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Councit Item 11-A

EXTERNAL
Please do n ot privatize our private land in Santa Monica — Thank You
Bridget Terry
1237 22ND STREET - SUITE 1
SANTA MONICA, CA. 90404
Ofc: 310-403-8540
[email protected]
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
10 David Yakobson
From: Mathew Millen <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 4:33 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Oscar de La Torre; Christine Parra; Jesse Zwick; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Caroline M. Torosis; Caroline Torosis; Lana Negrete; Douglas Sloan Subject: 8/27 Objection to 11A

EXTERNAL
The property at 4th / 5th and Arizona should be PARKLAND. The Parks Commission has voted FOUR TIMES recommending this property be used to expand our parkland. Given the huge number of new apartments being built between Lincoln Blvd and 5th St in the downtown area, those tenants need a place to relax outside, for a child playground parents who live in these new apartments can walk to.

USING BERGAMOT IN THE PICO NEIGHBORHOOD FOR A CABRINI GREEN STYLE LOW INCOME HOUSING PROJECT VIOLATES FAIR HOUSING LAWS AND GOVERNMENT CODE 8899.50 the State of Calif rejected the initial housing element because the city was dumping low income housing in the historically segregated Pico Neighborhood that "perpetuated segregation" As Bergamot is within the Pico Neighborhood ..REJECT THE STAFF WHO APPARENTLY ARE FOLLOWERS OF

GEORGE WALLACE AND DON'T UNDERSTAND THE SUPREME COURT CASE Brown v. The Board of Education of Topeka Kansas that ruled school segregation unconstitutional ALSO APPLIES TO HOUSING SEGREGATION. See generally
Gautreaux v. Chicago Housing Authority, 304 F. Supp. 736 (N.D. Ill 1969) enforcing 296 F. Supp. 907 (N.D. Ill. 1969) and Gautreaux v. Landrileu, 523 F. Sup. 665, 674, (N.D.Ill. 1981);425 U.S. 284; Otero v. NY Housing Authority, 484 F.2d. 1122 (2nd Cir. 1973), United States v. Yonkers Board of Education, 624 F.Supp. 1276 (S.D.N.Y.1985). NAACP v. HUD, 801 F.2d 593(1st Cir. 1986) , 817 F.2d 149 (1st Cir. 1987), Thompson v. HUD 348 F. Supp. 2d 398 (Md. 2005), 42 U.S.C. Section 3608(e)(5) and 24 C.F.R. 1.4(b)(1)(iii)(&(iv) respectfully submitted
Mathew Millen
Pico Neighborhood resident
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
1 David Yakobson
From: Judy Kramer <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 4:23 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: NOT to privatize our public land!

EXTERNAL
RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
City Council do not let this happen, This land should not be privatized. It would seem to me that the City Council does not care about Santa Monica and what the people that live in the city want. Santa Monica is being destroyed by all this development.

Judy Kramer
Resident of Santa Monica
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
2 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 4:20 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 Item 11-A

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
3 Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy. Preserving public land for open space in a rapidly densifying downtown is extremely important. Even more so now as thousands of new housing units are being built throughout Santa Monica in an attempt to reach state housing goals. Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement.

Celia Szew
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
4 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 4:20 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A

EXTERNAL
I fully agree with the below letter from SMCLC. No city-owned land should go for private development. You are only the caretakers and hold city land in trust for the public and have no right to give it away.

Thank you,
Harriet P. Epstein
Santa Monica taxpayer
TO: City Council
FROM: Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
5 Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
6 David Yakobson
From: Nina Girvetz <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 4:18 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Bergamot Station Arts Center

EXTERNAL
TO: City Council
FROM: Nina Girvetz, Santa Monica resident for 40 years
RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
7 Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy. Preserving public land for open space in a rapidly densifying downtown is extremely important. Even more so now as thousands of new housing units are being built throughout Santa Monica in an attempt to reach state housing goals. Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement.

Thank you,
Nina Girvetz
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
8 David Yakobson
From: Mary Hubbell <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 4:08 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox
Cc: Mary Hubbell
Subject: item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Brock and Councilmembers;
I am writing to urge you to protect these public lands from private developments. Listen to the residents. Please stop privatizing our vital public lands.

We value the Bergamot Arts Center for continuing to provide opportunities for us to engage with art and the artists. Finding places like this locally is becoming increasingly difficult. Our city is known for its arts and cultural heritage. Please show that you support this heritage.

Each of the massive developments already in process and in the pipeline should be required to have 60% affordable units to meet the State’s housing requirements imposed on our communities. We shouldn’t have to lose any more of our open spaces and private lands to meet these requirements.

Thank you,
Mary Hubbell
Ocean Park
Sent from Mary's iPhone
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
9 David Yakobson
From: Brian Lasky <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 3:53 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council -
I am not in favor of our city using public land for private developments. Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

As I am aware, the sole purpose of item 11-A, before you this Tuesday, is to privatize the public land at Bergamot Arts Center and 4th/5th and Arizona by claiming an impossible goal of building 1100 units of 100% affordable housing on those sites. Even the staff report concedes that projects of this magnitude are highly unlikely to ever secure the amount of funding required.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Thank you for your time,
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
10 Brian Lasky
SM Resident
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
11 David Yakobson
From: MILES WATKINS <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 3:42 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Agenda Item 11-A

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members,
We are absolutely opposed to Agenda Item 11-A!
Do not declare these two huge parcels as “surplus land.” This is not in the best interest of your constituents, the citizens of the City of Santa Monica. Please vote accordingly.

Respectfully,
Miles & Jocelyn Watkins
502 9th Street
Santa Monica, California 90402
(310) 666-1073
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
12 David Yakobson
From: janine autolitano <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 3:42 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council item 11-A

EXTERNAL
RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center The massive, thoughtless overdevelopment of Santa Monica is destroying our city! We have over 10% vacancy rate, nationally it's 6%. All these empty units need to be fined. Residents are sick and tired of our representatives just saying there is nothing we can do about state mandates. As far as we can see, you are not trying hard enough.

Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings! Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
13 We urge the Council to refuse to declare either site “surplus” or exempt from the SLA, and to instead instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide, and inventory other sites that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built.

Janine Autolitano
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
14 David Yakobson
From: Joyce Urode <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 3:37 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council item 11-A

EXTERNAL
TO: City Council
RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
15 David Yakobson
From: Kelli <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 3:36 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council item 11-A

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
16 David Yakobson
From: Ann Hoover <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 3:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Phil Brock; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Christine Parra; Gleam Davis; Oscar de la Torre
Cc: David White; Susan Cline; David Martin; Jing Yeo; Jennifer Taylor; Jenny Rogers; Sofia Klatzker; Douglas Sloan; Susan Cola
Subject: August 27, 2024 Council Meeting - Item 11.A - OPPOSE

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Brock and Esteemed Councilmembers:

There is shock in many corners of the City upon learning that two of our largest remaining public land assets were committed in Program 2.E. of the 6th Cycle Housing Element for huge amounts of affordable housing without ANY public process to highlight and discuss that decision with the community, despite the fact that our certified Housing Element states that affordable housing on City-owned properties will be subject to a public process:
"Program 2.E. commits City-owned sites for the development of affordable housing through a public process that would maximize the amount of affordable housing that could be feasibly developed." (page 111, City of Santa Monica / 2021-2029 Housing Element)

So I vehemently OPPOSE putting these public assets on the chopping block in the manner contemplated by the Staff Report and Attachments, but if you are intent upon doing so tomorrow night, I respectfully encourage you to do the following:
 Deal structures - please confirm adherence to proposed ground lease structures - NEVER SELL PUBLIC LAND!!
 Order - Determine to do 4th/5th & Arizona first with the parcels done separately to maximize the possibility of affordable housing funding / tax credits for the sites + avoid the public expenditure of having to hire 2 new Staffers
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
17  4th/5th Outreach - Direct a robust community engagement process ASAP for 4th/5th & Arizona to gather community input regarding outdoor space, other community amenities, and preferred revenuegenerating commercial uses at the site  Direct that the RFP for 4th/5th & Arizona be informed by the community engagement process and include at minimum -
o Significant increase to the # of affordable units required at these sites to take some of the pressure off at Bergamot
o Mandate for a community-serving commercial use such as a ground level indoor permanent ice/skating rink & bowling alley & community center
o Inclusion of rentable large community meeting room/event space, with a 300-person suggested seating capacity (and a 150-person capacity for banquet-style seating) + appropriate storage for tables and chairs
o Include usable public open and green space(s)
 Bergamot Outreach - Direct a robust community engagement process ASAP for Bergamot to gather community input and ideas regarding retention of existing businesses, the theatre, galleries, etc., plus outdoor space for events & other community amenities, with the goal of maintaining iconic Bergamot as a premier destination for visual arts and culture in our City at least at ground level
 Direct that the RFP for Bergamot be informed by the community engagement process and include at minimum -
o Requirement for a plan to retain all existing tenants so as to maintain the arts and cultural campus
o Requirement for artist housing as part of the affordable units o Requirement for a 300-person seating capacity meeting room (with 150-person capacity for banquet-style seating) + appropriate storage for tables and chairs, which would be rentable for community and other events
o A mandate for open, green space(s)
 Direct Planning Staff to construct and implement ASAP an aggressive program to incentivize conversion of empty office spaces into affordable housing to help meet the affordable housing quota mandated by the State in this 6th Cycle Housing Element and to take the pressure off of Bergamot and 4th/5th & Arizona
Thank you so much for your time reading this and for your careful consideration of these difficult decisions involving precious community assets.

Sincerely,
Ann Bowman
Resident, 28 years
Recreation and Parks Commissioner
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
18 David Yakobson
From: Randolph Visser <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 3:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Fwd: Oppose Agenda Item-11 A

EXTERNAL
From: Randolph Visser <[email protected]>
Date: August 26, 2024 at 3:32:10 PM PDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: Oppose Agenda Item-11 A
Dear Councilmembers ,
My wife and I are 50+ year residents of Santa Monica. We are 100% against Agenda Item 11-A, which would permit the City to declare these two huge parcels "Surplus Land", selling them to private developers, and allowing yet more monstrous development . Please do not approve .

Randolph & Linda Visser
1122 Maple Street , SM, CA 90405
Sent from my iPhone
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
19 David Yakobson
From: Jennifer Field <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 3:17 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members,
I agree with the letter below. Do not privatize public land. Those lands are for the residents, not for private profit.

Regards,
Jennifer Field
TO: City Council
FROM: Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

When, inevitably, that 100% affordable housing goal is deemed unfeasible, Council will then be able to entertain other proposals, such as requiring only 25% affordable Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
20 housing, together with market rate housing and commercial revenue-generating uses, like hotels. That’s possible under another exemption of the Surplus Land Act, not specifically cited in the staff report just as the specific 100% affordable housing exemption wasn’t specified either.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
1 David Yakobson
From: Phyllis Chavez <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 2:51 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers,
I am concerned and more than unhappy that we are again seriously considering making public land available for private development. The only purpose of item 11-A is to privatize the public land at Bergamot Arts Center and 4th/5th and Arizona by claiming an impossible goal of building 1100 units of 100% affordable housing on these sites. Even the staff report indicates that projects of this size are probably never going to be able to secure the funding required.

I understand that Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on the site.

It is all sounding very complicated and not quite right, and I don't like it all.

What I have understood is that the possible and perhaps probable MEGA projects that would result from all this rigamarole would destroy the Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4/5th and Arizona AND could happen without public hearings! I don't want our publicly owned land to be given away without any public input! We need Bergamot and we need open space. Please go back to the drawing board on this one.

I urge the Council to refuse to declare either site "surplus" or exempt from the SLA. I would ask the Council to instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide, and inventory other sites that are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built.

Thank you,
Phyllis Chavez
Sunset Park
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
2 David Yakobson
From: Cathie Lamm <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 2:52 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council item 11-A

EXTERNAL
RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
3 I urge the Council to refuse to declare either site “surplus” or exempt from the SLA, and to instead instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide, and inventory other sites that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built.

C a t h i e L y n n L a m m
 [email protected]
Everyone must decide for themselves whether they shall master their world or be mastered by it.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
4 David Yakobson
From: Brenda Anderson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 2:47 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council item 11-A

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members,
I urge that you NOT privatize the public land at Bergamot Arts Center and 4th/5th and Arizona. We need these spaces as they are: the Arts Center is a treasure to be preserved. We have enjoyed so many experiences there and want to continue to do so.

Also, we want to see the downtown space kept open for various uses by the residents of Santa Monica.

Please provide for all Santa Monica residents to have a voice and a choice in how these spaces are to be enjoyed.

Brenda Anderson
475 24th Street
Santa Monica
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
5 David Yakobson
From: Philip Schwartz <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 2:46 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Agenda Item 11-A

EXTERNAL

RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th andArizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after theCouncil declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses
.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

That’s possible under another exemption of the Surplus Land Act, not specifically cited in the staff report just as thespecific 100% affordable housing exemption wasn’t specified either.

And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona,could be processed administratively with no public hearings!
Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy. Preserving public land for open space in a rapidly densifying downtown is extremely important. Even more so now as thousands of new housing units are being built throughout Santa Monica in an attempt to reach state housing goals. Good planning recognizes that openspaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
6 We urge the Council to refuse to declare either site “surplus” or exempt from the SLA, and to instead instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide, and inventory other sites that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built.

Respectfully
Philip D Schwartz, Treasurer
909-911 Arizona Ave HOA
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
7 David Yakobson
From: Karen Croner <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 2:41 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: 11A

EXTERNAL
Dear Council,
I agree with SMCLC’s letter below. Even more, I guarantee that the voters agree with SMCLC.

I, and others, will not vote for someone who takes away our artistic treasure, Bergamot Arts Center, which
is an important cultural force for our community AND an attraction for tourists.

I also deeply oppose you privatizing the land at 4th and 5th. Some of you have claim you care
that Santa Monica remains special, not just LA. Some of you claim to care about the environment,
yet you continue to cut down trees and leave residents baking.

I, and others will simply not vote for any members who
take this land away from us. We need trees, community space. Have you no concern for water?
Other resources? How many more children need to be kidnapped before you see that this mad growth isn’t
helping provide housing or needed addiction and mental health services.

You know what’s right. Stop.

Enough is enough. You know the required numbers of affordable apartment was falsely inflated by lobbyists
who claimed to be non profit. You now have two people suing SMGov for discrimination and fraudulent
spending. You have 4,000 units sitting empty. 1/3 of new buildings are empty. Rents are not going down.

Don’t join the hall of shame.

Your actions have consequences. If you vote yes on privatizing, I and others will passionately oppose
your re-election. Taxation without representation has gone far enough.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
8 Sincerely,
Karen Croner
TO: City Council
FROM: Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy. Preserving public land for open space in a rapidly densifying downtown is extremely important. Even more so now as thousands of new housing units are being Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
9 built throughout Santa Monica in an attempt to reach state housing goals. Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
10 David Yakobson
From: Kevin Flick <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 2:38 PM
To: [email protected]; councilmtgitems
Subject: Re: URGENT ACTION: Tell the Council by noon tomorrow NOT to privatize our public land!

EXTERNAL
I support your cause. but It is not obvious how to email them. I just forwarded the whole thing to [email protected]
I hope that is good enough but I don't know
On Mon, Aug 26, 2024 at 12:20 PM SMCLC <[email protected]> wrote:

To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

SMC LC-headerT.gif
August 26, 2024
Dear Supporter of SMCLC,
Below is our letter to the City and the City Council strongly opposing an agenda item tomorrow night to declare the publicly owned lands at 4th/5th and Arizona and the Bergamot Arts Center as “surplus” land.

This would mean that those sites would be taken out of public use for all of us and privatized for huge private developments.

Bergamot would be wiped out as a renowned cultural center, and we would forever lose the potential for public land at 4th/5th and Arizona to be used as open space, something that’s increasingly vital as the downtown rapidly densifies.

If you agree with our letter, please email your respectful opinions to the Council at [email protected] by noon tomorrow, specifying Council item 11-A and cc:ing the clerk at [email protected] Thank you for your support.

TO: City Council
FROM: Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
11 Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for noncultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings! Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
12 Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City | 1112 Montana Ave. #174 | Santa Monica, CA 90403 US
Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

Constant Contact
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
13 David Yakobson
From: MICHAEL DALLING <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 2:38 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council item 11-A

EXTERNAL
Do not privatize the public land at Bergamont Arts Center and at 4th/5th Streets and Arizona - this land should be public land and Santa Monica has a responsibility to respect public land and protect it for the sake of all Santamonicans. The greed of private enterprises cannot take precedence over the benefit of all. Consider this carefully.

Sent from my iPhone
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
14 David Yakobson
From: gary samson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 2:38 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems; [email protected]
Subject: RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center/Opposition to item 11-A

EXTERNAL
We strongly oppose the adoption of item 11-A on the 8/27 agenda for the reasons set forth in the opposition set forth in the letter from SMCLC.

Respectfully,
Laurie and Gary Samson
1407 Carlyle Ave 90402
Gary Samson
[email protected]
Cell: 213-598-4043
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
15 David Yakobson
From: Selena Kingsley <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 2:37 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council Item 11-A

EXTERNAL
I’m writing to strongly oppose any change to Bergamot Station. This belongs to the citizens and should not be taken by developers.

Selena Kingsley
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
16 David Yakobson
From: Janet Heinle <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 2:29 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Subject: BERGAMOT

EXTERNAL
DO NOT PRIVATIZE BERGAMOT! What the heck is wrong with you! Have you not destroyed us enough! STOP!!!! Janet Heinle
1047 Lincoln
90403
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
17 David Yakobson
From: Chris Cava Preston <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 2:26 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council item 11-A

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
I am writing to urge you to save Bergamot Station by not deeming it as “surplus land” in our city, which will inevitably allow it to be developed.

Bergamot is a very special, unique venue and gathering space for the Santa Monica community, as well as greater Los Angeles. I can’t think of another place that serves as a cultural center in the way that Bergamot does. Currently, I can walk there and enjoy galleries, live performances, and incredible food.

Bergamot has played a more personal role in my life as well. My 24 year-old son has autism, and through a lot of hard work, he was included in an art show at a gallery in Bergamot Station and sold his first painting this year. There just aren’t a lot of galleries that would give someone like him a chance. I have also been to performances there, including a play this year written by a friend I have known for over 30 years.

Bergamot Station is worth saving, worth preserving, and I hope that you can help.

Sincerely,
Chris Cava Preston
Santa Monica resident for 35 years
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
18 David Yakobson
From: Melissa Ward <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 2:20 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: BERGAMOT STATION & 4th/5th and ARIZONA LAND FUTURE

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
19 Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy. Preserving public land for open space in a rapidly densifying downtown is extremely important. Even more so now as thousands of new housing units are being built throughout Santa Monica in an attempt to reach state housing goals. Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement.

Melissa Ward
40 Year Resident of Santa Monica
Sent from my iPhone
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
1 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 9:54 AM
To: Council Mailbox; Caroline Torosis; Christine Parra; Gleam Davis; Jesse Zwick; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock
Cc: councilmtgitems; David White; David Martin; Douglas Sloan; Jennifer Taylor Subject: City Council 8/27/24 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th/Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
August 26, 2024
TO: City Council
FROM: Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City
RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
2 Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

We urge the Council to refuse to declare either site “surplus” or exempt from the SLA, and to instead instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide, and inventory other sites that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built. ###
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
3 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2024 11:13 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Caroline Torosis; Christine Parra; Gleam Davis; Jesse Zwick; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Phil Brock
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Affordable housing at Bergamot & 4th/5th/Arizona -- OPPOSE!

EXTERNAL
August 26, 2024

To: Mayor Brock and City Council members
From: Zina Josephs
Re: 8/27/24 agenda item 11-A -- 4th/5th & Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center -- A. Adoption of Resolution and Approval of Release of Request for Proposals for City-Owned Sites Designated for Affordable Housing Development in the City's 6th Cycle Housing Element and Declaration of Sites as "Exempt Surplus Land" in Accordance with the Surplus Land Act I urge you to delay adopting this resolution until there has been adequate community engagement on the topic.

4 th/5th & Arizona: A plan to put 300 units of affordable housing at 4th/5th & Arizona makes it appear that the city is pitting 100% affordable housing against “open space.” This ignores the open space requirement in the Surplus Lands Act.

The city should not sacrifice public open space for affordable housing -- we need both. Plus, all the market rate housing currently being built in the area increases the demand for open space.

Santa Monica has only 1.4 acres of open space per 1,000 residents, compared to more than 30 acres per 1,000 residents in both Santa Barbara and San Diego.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
1 David Yakobson
From: David Misch <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 2:06 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 11-A

EXTERNAL
We urge you to oppose this unjustifiable land-grab at tomorrow's meeting.

Amy Gelfand
David Misch
Princeton St.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
2 David Yakobson
From: Daniel Galamba <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 2:06 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete; Jesse Zwick; Caroline Torosis; Oscar de la Torre Subject: August 27, 2024 City Council Meeting Item 11-A: Please DO NOT privatize our public land

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
Please do not privatize our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and the Bergamot Arts Center. We need both of these to be open space and to preserve our Bergamot Arts Center. Instead I am requesting that the City Council instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide and inventory other sites that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Dr Daniel Galamba
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
3 David Yakobson
From: Patricia Bauer <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 2:04 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
Please do NOT privatize the city’s public land at 4th/5th and Arizona, and at Bergamot Arts Center.

Preserving public land for open space and cultural use in our city is extremely important, even as thousands of new housing units are being built in an attempt to reach state housing goals. Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and encouraging civic engagement.

Please: Refuse to declare either site “surplus” or exempt from the SLA, and to instead instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide, and to inventory other sites that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built.

Patricia E. Bauer
502 20th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
4 David Yakobson
From: Michelle Page <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 1:56 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Please do not privatize Bergamot

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council:

You are sitting on a gem that is irreplaceable and that should be nurtured. It is something to be proud of and is unique to Santa Monica.

A Michelle Page
--
310.828.2628 Land line - no texting
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
5 David Yakobson
From: april aprilrocha.com <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 1:56 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
6 David Yakobson
From: Jeanne Laurie <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 1:55 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 11-A Stop the Steal

EXTERNAL
TO: City Council
FROM: Jeanne Laurie
RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings! Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Preserving public land for open space in a rapidly densifying downtown is extremely important. Even more so now as thousands of new housing units are being built throughout Santa Monica in an attempt to reach state Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
7 housing goals. Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
8 David Yakobson
From: Ose Dalldorf <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 1:37 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: re Council Agenda Item : 11-A

EXTERNAL
Dear Counsel members,
I am writing to urge you to keep Santa Monica's
publicly owned lands designated as public lands.

I am against changing it to 'surplus' land,
which is a dangerous proposition.

This is specifically regarding the public lands at

1. 4th/5th and Arizona

2. Bergamot Arts Center.

I hope you will listen to residents' input or put it
to a vote by the residents.

Thank you.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
9 David Yakobson
From: Curt Jordan <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 1:25 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
City Council:

Please do not approve or pass item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts
Center.

Curtis Jordan
1328 2nd St Apt 203
Santa Monica CA 90401
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
10 David Yakobson
From: Samuel Tolkin <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 1:21 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Re: City Council Meeting 8-27-2024 Agenda Item 11-A

EXTERNAL
TO: City Council
FROM: Samuel M. Tolkin, Planning Commissioner
I am in total agreement with the (SMCLC) letter which I have copied below. These properties before the Council in item 11-A should remain Public Land allowing for their use serving all the citizens of our city. The property at 4th/5th and Arizona, in particular, is ideal for some of the open space that our downtown will need as other denser mixed use projects will be facilitated by State law in the surround parcels.

Sincerely,
Samuel M. Tolkin, Planning Commissioner, Architect and Urban Planner.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

When, inevitably, that 100% affordable housing goal is deemed unfeasible, Council will then be able to entertain other proposals, such as requiring only 25% affordable housing, together with market rate housing and commercial revenue-generating uses, like hotels. That’s possible under another exemption of the Surplus Land Act, not Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
11 specifically cited in the staff report just as the specific 100% affordable housing exemption wasn’t specified either.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
12 David Yakobson
From: Mary Quick <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 1:19 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Don't privatize SM's public lands

EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers,
I wholly support the statement in the Coalition for a Livable City's recent letter to the Council.

Besides the Coalitions reasoning, please consider that if we have a Harris administration in January, the federal supports for building affordable housing may make it much more possible to build affordable units on private land. Please do not make an irrevocable change now to the the two city parcels in question.

Sincerely,
Mary Quick, SM resident and homeowner
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
13 David Yakobson
From: hal lindes <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 1:18 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
We STRONGLY oppose Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

HAL LINDES
On Aug 26, 2024, at 12:20 PM, SMCLC <[email protected]> wrote:

To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

This would mean that those sites would be taken out of public use for all of us and privatized for huge private developments.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
14 If you agree with our letter, please email your respectful opinions to the Council at [email protected] by noon tomorrow, specifying Council item 11-A and cc:ing the clerk at [email protected] Thank you for your support.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings! Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
15 We urge the Council to refuse to declare either site “surplus” or exempt from the SLA, and to instead instruct staff to report on the current status of housing projects citywide, and inventory other sites that legitimately are of a suitable size to actually enable 100% affordable housing projects to be built. ###
Please forward this email to your friends and neighbors to sign up for updatesand join in our efforts.

Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City | 1112 Montana Ave. #174 | Santa Monica, CA 90403 US
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Constant Contact
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
16 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 1:12 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
TO: City Council
FROM: Wendy Lamm
RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Dear City Council Members,
I agree with the following letter put forth by SMLCC, and request you follow the needs of current Santa Monica residents.

Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
17 And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings!
Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Sincerely,
Wendy Lamm
(Santa Monica resident since 1969, and family of residents in and around since 1914) Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
18 David Yakobson
From: Mark Ford <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 1:12 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members..

As a resident and home-owner in Santa Monica, I strongly oppose privating public land.. especially Bergamot — for unrealistic and irresponsbile housing development..

Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
19 Thank you
Mark Ford
2623 3rd St, Santa Monica
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
20 David Yakobson
From: Alan Levenson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 1:12 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: 11A

EXTERNAL
Please do not declare Begamot and 5th and Arizona.

Thank you
Alan Levenson
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
21 David Yakobson
From: Gavin Lawrence <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 1:11 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
I am a long time resident and house owner of Santa Monica, having lived here since 1989.

I think the idea of declaring the publicly owned land at 4th/5h and Arizona and the Bergamot Arts Center as "surplus" land a very unwise move and very much not in the general public interest of Santa Monicans. Too often have the council made way for developers (one can think of the trailer parks as just one example).

The Bergamot Arts Center is a marvelous cultural hub in Santa Monica and should command the council's strong support and protection from the rush to develop Santa Monica even further.

I agree full-heartedly with the arguments of the Santa Monica Coalition for a livable City (SMLCLC). In short, this would be a terrible move.

With all due respect,
Gavin Lawrence and Caroline Hutchison,
3015, 16th Street,
Santa Monica,
CA 90405.
--
Gavin Lawrence
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
22 David Yakobson
From: nancy hyland <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 1:01 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council item 11-A

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
23 Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy. Preserving public land for open space in a rapidly densifying downtown is extremely important. Even more so now as thousands of new housing units are being built throughout Santa Monica in an attempt to reach state housing goals. Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement.

Nancy Hyland
Highland Ave, Santa Monica, 90405
[email protected]
왰왱왲왳왴왵왶왷외왹왺왻왼왽왾왿욀욁욂욃욄욅
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
24 David Yakobson
From: Steve Gorlin <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 12:56 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council Item 08/27 11-A - Vote No to Privatization

EXTERNAL
Dear Honorable City Council Members:

Please oppose the privatization of 4th/5th Arizona, and the privatization of Bergamot Station.

As a citizen of Santa Monica, I ask that you act in the best interest of Santa Monica and keep it a livable city by placing limits on over-development, and mega apartment projects.

Please stop the bulldozing of the character of Santa Monica by irrational and unchallenged state policies.

Sincerely,
Steven M. Gorlin
2228 3rd St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
323-839-1716
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
25 David Yakobson
From: Steven Dye <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 12:55 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: 11-A

EXTERNAL
Hello city council, I strongly oppose 11-A. Keep public land for the public. Don’t give it to developers for more housing. It's too dense already. More people equals more homeless.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
26 David Yakobson
From: Will von Bernuth <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 12:49 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Santa Monica City Council item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
Santa Monica City Council,
I'd like to express my opposition to item 11-A on tomorrow's city council meeting agenda. I do not believe the land at 4th / 5th and Arizona or the land at Bergamont Arts Center should be designated as surplus land. This designation could lead to the land being taken away from the public and instead used for private development. This land is public land and I believe it should remain a public good.

While on the surface item 11-A may seem to do something different; as SMCLC shows, this is a slippery slope to privatizing the land without any public input.

The following is what SMCLC has said and I agree with it:
"Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

That’s possible under another exemption of the Surplus Land Act, not specifically cited in the staff report just as the specific 100% affordable housing exemption wasn’t specified either.

And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings! Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Regards,
Will
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
27 David Yakobson
From: Gina Simas <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 12:41 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center

EXTERNAL
Dear Members,
Please do not allow Bergamot to be wiped out as a renowned cultural center. We go there regularly and value this part of our community. It is so disappointing to continue watching public lands and open space being swallowed by large developments--developments of which most residents in the community overwhelmingly oppose. Please remember that you serve residents who deserve to have open and public spaces. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Gina Simas
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
28 David Yakobson
From: Alex Dilks Pandola <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 12:34 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council Item 11-A

EXTERNAL
TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Dilks Pandola, Santa Monica homeowner and resident for 12 years RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center When I moved to Santa Monica 12 years ago from Philadelphia, PA it was because I saw it as an incredible place where I could raise my family.

For the last 12 years we've enjoyed so many of the wonderful things Santa Monica has to offer families.

Unfortunately, a lot of those places have been compromised and others are being threatened. I do not want public land in Santa Monica sacrificed for private developments.

The entire city from Lincoln to Wilshire and Santa Monica Blvd. is being developed at rapid speed. It is more important than ever that we protect public land- like Bergamot Arts Center and 4th/5th Arizona.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement.

Sincerely,
Alex Dilks Pandola
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
29 David Yakobson
From: Sharon Toriello <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 12:29 PM
To: Council Mailbox; councilmtgitems
Subject: Council item 11-A

EXTERNAL
Council item 11-A and cc:ing the clerk at [email protected] no to declaring both as surplus land.
sharon toriello
[email protected]
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
30 David Yakobson
From: R G <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 12:27 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: 11-A

EXTERNAL
To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

SMC LC-headerT.gif
August 26, 2024
Dear Supporter of SMCLC
TO: City Council
FROM: Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for noncultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
31 Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy. Preserving public land for open space in a rapidly densifying downtown is extremely important. Even more so now as thousands of new housing units are being built throughout Santa Monica in an attempt to reach state housing goals. Good planning recognizes that open spaces complement dense housing by fostering community and civic engagement.

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
32 David Yakobson
From: phil traill <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 12:28 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Council item 11-A

EXTERNAL
Hi
Please don’t privatise our land at 4th/5th and Arizona, and the Bergamot Arts Center.

I agree 100% with the letter below from the SMCLC.

Thanks,
Phil Traill
2404 CLOVERFIELD BLVD, Santa Monica 90405
TO: City Council
FROM: Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) RE: City Council 8/27 item 11-A: Privatizing our Public Land at 4th/5th and Arizona and Bergamot Arts Center
Residents have told the City repeatedly that they do not want to see their public land sacrificed for private developments. That was the case at 4th/5th and Arizona when the City was negotiating the Plaza project, and more recently when residents came together to save the Civic Auditorium after the Council declared it “surplus land,” paving the way for its sale for non-cultural uses.

But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings!
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
33 Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Pitting open space and cultural arts against housing or mixed-use developments is poor public policy.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
34 David Yakobson
From: Matheson, Suzanne <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 12:26 PM
To: Council Mailbox
Cc: councilmtgitems; Matheson, Suzanne; Suzanne Matheson (Unit #9) Subject: URGENT ACTION: ATTENTION TO CITY Council -- noon tomorrow -- DO NOT privatize our public land!
Importance: High

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
35 But Council is being told by staff that it can claim an exemption and bypass the Surplus Land Act (SLA) if it requests bids for 100% affordable housing on those sites.

And these mega projects, which would gut Bergamot as a world-renowned cultural center and eliminate irreplaceable open space at 4th/5th and Arizona, could be processed administratively with no public hearings! Our publicly owned land could be given away without ANY public input.

Proceeding down this path would be a fundamental failure of local government.

Thank you.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
36 Suzanne Matheson
1024 5th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90403

CONCERNED CITIZEN
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
4 Bergamot Station Arts Center: A plan to put 700 units of affordable housing in the Bergamot Arts Center would spell “the end” for this amazing collection of art galleries, which is a drawing card for tourists, as well as a cultural benefit for residents.

Established in 1994, Bergamot describes itself as “the largest art gallery and cultural complex on the West Coast” and plans to celebrate its 30th anniversary on September 7th. https://bergamotstation.com/ -- September 7th event schedule: https://bergamotstation.com/bergamot30th-anniversary Again, please delay this decision in order to allow for a robust public engagement process.

Item 11-A
August 27, 2024
Item 11-A
August 27, 2024

Santa Monica City CouncilAugust 27, 2024

Santa Monica City Council
August 27, 2024