Written Comments — Santa Monica City Council, February 25, 2025

1 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 11:58 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Jesse Zwick; Lana Negrete; Natalya Zernitskaya; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Cc: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: FOSP: City Council 2/25 agenda item 11-A -- OPPOSE!

EXTERNAL
February 25, 2025
To: Mayor Negrete and City Council members
From: Board of Directors, Friends of Sunset Park
RE: 2/25/25 agenda item 11-A: Surplus declarations -- OPPOSE! The FOSP Board opposes declaring the Bergamot Arts Center Station, 4th/5th & Arizona, and Parking Structure 1 on 4th Street as "Surplus Land."
1) The Bergamot Arts Center is a unique collection of art galleries that draws visitors from near and far. The parking lot is usually full, so filling that space with housing will mean the end of the Arts Center.
2) Many people feel that 4th/5th & Arizona should be devoted to park space for the growing population in downtown Santa Monica.
3) If the city continues demolishing parking structures adjacent to the Promenade, it's not clear how the businesses on the Promenade will recover as a source of revenue for the city. The parking structures themselves are also revenue sources for the city.

Again, the FOSP Board opposes agenda item 11-A.

Thank you for your consideration.

Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
2 David Yakobson
From: Elizabeth Lerer <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 11:50 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick
Subject: Item 11. A.

EXTERNAL
City Council,
DO NOT convert our public land to housing.

Elizabeth Lerer
- voting resident -
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
3 David Yakobson
From: Dannie Charney <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 11:12 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Cc: Douglas Sloan; Elaine Polachek; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A Council Mtg 2/25/2025

EXTERNAL
OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A Council Mtg 2/25/2025
THE BOTTOM LINE: WE NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING- YES BUT WHY NOT CHANGE OUR RULESWe should never have sold out in the first place- thank you Gleam Davis and Councils of 2018-2019 who decided to lower the inclusionary to nearly nothing as a giveaway to the developers, County and State machines..and Yimby..

Other cities aren't doing it... so let's do this:

1. Go back and require every empty unit in a new build since 2015 to be made affordable.. if it has been empty for over one year..

2. Require every single building built now or in the works to provide 30-50% affordable units..I mean truly affordable, not in name only.

You say you want a city for diversity and families but since 2012 and probably earlier, you have done the opposite- you only provide for the well off and the well employed.

Our City was sold out by Gleam Davis and her gang.. take it back.

If you can pass all these other items that are dear to your heart..show your real support for residents in need and a City that is now fastItem 11-A February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
4 tracked to be NYC/Miami West. Stephanie Reich's "dream come true". What a nightmare for the rest of us.

Change the rules and watch Madison, Cypress and the rest of these monsters who don't give a damn what they do while destroying us..leave ..and go destroy another city.

Danielle Charney
From Tricia Crane and Northeast Neighbors about this:

There has been absolutely no consultation with the residents on the systematic elimination of commercial revenue subsidies of basic city services that this action represents. Over 50% of our General Fund revenues that run our city are related to commercial activity. If businesses are diminished as parking is removed, who will pay? The residents will. Or, given what it costs to run our city, current and future residents will all suffer reductions in police, fire, libraries, street sweeping and other essential services.

If YOU, the Council support this action, our city will suffer the permanent loss of irreplaceable properties that are essential to supporting and revitalizing our struggling commercial sector.

This item is presented without any analysis of the required balance.

Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
5 YOU, City Council ARE being asked to:

1. Declare as "surplus land" City-owned properties located at:

Bergamot Station Arts Center located at 2500 Olympic (APNs 4268-013-919 and 4268-014- 900

2. Declare as "surplus land" two City-owned properties located at:
 1333 4th Street (APNs 4291-011- 909 and 4291-011-910)  1324 5th Street (APNs 4291-011-900, 4291-011-901, 4291-011-902, 4291-011-903, 4291-011-904, 4291-011-905 and 4291-011-908).

3. Declare as "surplus land" City-owned property located at:
1234 4th Street (Parking Structure 1)
At a time when the City should be focusing on generating revenues needed to support the expected population growth, the Council must not take this action. We all need our local businesses to succeed.

Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
6 David Yakobson
From: Ann Hoover <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 11:03 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Dan Hall; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin
Cc: Elaine Polachek; Jing Yeo; Natalie Verlinich; Heather Averick; Armine Chaparyan; Susan Cline; Susan Cola; Douglas Sloan
Subject: Re: NE Neighbors - OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A - Council must not support the demolition of public parking for 100% affordable housing projects Attachments: Revenues that Comprise General Fund.pdf

EXTERNAL
See attachment - Revenues that Comprise General Fund
On Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 10:50:10 AM PST, Ann Hoover <[email protected]> wrote:

Agree with all that NEN has communicated here.

Why do we keep proposing actions that kill support for our business community, revenues from which are a KEY component of our General Fund, which provides 58% of the support for the City's $765.3 million budget expenditures in 2024-25???
Property Taxes are the #1 Support of the General Fund at 18.5% Sales and Transaction & Use is the #2 Support of the General Fund at 17.3% Not to mention parking revenues.

Where is the logic? Do we have a "budget crisis" or do we not? Are we trying to revitalize The Promenade & Downtown businesses or not? Are we trying to keep Main Street vibrant and our local businesses and mom & pops healthy and thriving? Or are proposed actions like these, which undermine the very thing that provides such major income to the City, a big part of the problem? OPPOSE, particularly tearing down the Main Street Parking lots and Parking Structure #1. We don't even have money to build affordable housing at the former Parking Structure #4 site, right? ----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Tricia Crane <[email protected]>
To: Tricia Crane <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 at 10:50:32 AM PST
Subject: NE Neighbors - OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A - Council must not support the demolition of public parking for 100% affordable housing projects
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
7 Dear Northeast Neighbors and friends,
The City is proposing to turn the city-owned public parking lots and a structure that our local businesses rely on into 100% affordable housing at four different locations in Santa Monica. The Board of NE Neighbors opposes this action in the letter to Council embedded below.

Tricia
Here is the link to the full Council
Agenda: https://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1430 ---------- Forwarded message ---------
To: Lana Negrete <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>, Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>, Dan Hall <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>
Cc: <[email protected]>, Douglas Sloan <[email protected]> Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
8 To: City Council
From: Northeast Neighbors
Re: OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A, Council meeting of Feb. 25, 2025 Tuesday night City Council will vote on a proposal to repurpose commercial infrastructure on city-owned land at four key locations into 100% affordable housing. Agenda item

11.A asks Council to “authorize staff to proceed with developing bidding documents for the demolition” of four sites in Santa Monica.

Council must not take this action.

If the Council supports this action, our city will suffer the permanent loss of irreplaceable properties that are essential to supporting and revitalizing our struggling commercial sector.

This item is presented without any analysis of the required balance.

City Council is being asked to

1. Declare as "surplus land" City-owned properties located at:

Bergamot Station Arts Center located at 2500 Olympic (APNs 4268-013-919 and 4268- 014-900
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
9 2. Declare as "surplus land" two City-owned properties located at:
 1333 4th Street (APNs 4291-011- 909 and 4291-011-910)  1324 5th Street (APNs 4291-011-900, 4291-011-901, 4291-011-902, 4291-011-903, 4291-011-904, 4291-011-905 and 4291-011-908).

The Board of Northeast Neighbors
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
10 Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
11 Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
12 Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
13 Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
14 David Yakobson
From: Sue Edwards <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 11:04 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems; Elaine Polachek; Douglas Sloan Subject: Item 11A

EXTERNAL
Dear Councilmembers,
As a longtime resident of Santa Monica, I urge you not to support item 11A, or at least offer some modifications before supporting it.

Thank you.

Sue Edwards
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
15 David Yakobson
From: Ann Hoover <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 10:50 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Dan Hall; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin
Cc: Elaine Polachek; Jing Yeo; Natalie Verlinich; Heather Averick; Armine Chaparyan; Susan Cline; Susan Cola; Douglas Sloan
Subject: Fw: NE Neighbors - OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A - Council must not support the demolition of public parking for 100% affordable housing projects

EXTERNAL
Agree with all that NEN has communicated here.

Where is the logic? Do we have a "budget crisis" or do we not? Are we trying to revitalize The Promenade & Downtown businesses or not? Are we trying to keep Main Street vibrant and our local businesses and mom & pops healthy and thriving? Or are proposed actions like these, which undermine the very thing that provides such major income to the City, a big part of the problem? OPPOSE, particularly tearing down the Main Street Parking lots and Parking Structure #1. We don't even have money to build affordable housing at the former Parking Structure #4 site, right? ----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Tricia Crane <[email protected]>
To: Tricia Crane <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 at 10:50:32 AM PST
Subject: NE Neighbors - OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A - Council must not support the demolition of public parking for 100% affordable housing projects
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
16 Dear Northeast Neighbors and friends,
The City is proposing to turn the city-owned public parking lots and a structure that our local businesses rely on into 100% affordable housing at four different locations in Santa Monica. The Board of NE Neighbors opposes this action in the letter to Council embedded below.

Tricia
Here is the link to the full Council
Agenda: https://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1430 ---------- Forwarded message ---------
To: Lana Negrete <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, Jesse Zwick <[email protected]>, Ellis Raskin <[email protected]>, Dan Hall <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>
Cc: <[email protected]>, Douglas Sloan <[email protected]> Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
17 To: City Council
From: Northeast Neighbors
Re: OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A, Council meeting of Feb. 25, 2025 Tuesday night City Council will vote on a proposal to repurpose commercial infrastructure on city-owned land at four key locations into 100% affordable housing. Agenda item

11.A asks Council to “authorize staff to proceed with developing bidding documents for the demolition” of four sites in Santa Monica.

Council must not take this action.

If the Council supports this action, our city will suffer the permanent loss of irreplaceable properties that are essential to supporting and revitalizing our struggling commercial sector.

This item is presented without any analysis of the required balance.

City Council is being asked to

1. Declare as "surplus land" City-owned properties located at:

Bergamot Station Arts Center located at 2500 Olympic (APNs 4268-013-919 and 4268- 014-900
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
18 2. Declare as "surplus land" two City-owned properties located at:
 1333 4th Street (APNs 4291-011- 909 and 4291-011-910)  1324 5th Street (APNs 4291-011-900, 4291-011-901, 4291-011-902, 4291-011-903, 4291-011-904, 4291-011-905 and 4291-011-908).

The Board of Northeast Neighbors
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
19 Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
20 Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
21 Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
22 Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Nikki Kolhoff <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 10:16 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Natalya Zernitskaya; Dan Hall; Barry Snell
Subject: City Council Agenda Item 11.A Feb. 25, 2025 - OPPOSE Declaration of Surplus

EXTERNAL
To: City Council
Re: OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A, Council meeting of Feb. 25, 2025 Tuesday night City Council will vote on a proposal to repurpose commercial infrastructure on city-owned land at four key locations into 100% affordable housing. Agenda item

11.A asks Council to “authorize staff to proceed with developing bidding documents for the demolition” of four sites in Santa Monica.

Council must not take this action.

You will be decimating our vital infrastructure. You can't even make the lot that was Parking Structure 3 work, but you are recklessly surplussing another parking structure that was built with tax money for resident parking. 4th/5th/Arizona should be a small central park for downtown Santa Monica, as residents fought for when defeating The Plaza. If you can't even put a park in the middle of our downtown in furtherance of your alleged goal of being 15-minute city, why would anyone trust you with the airport land? If the Council supports this action, our city will suffer the permanent loss of irreplaceable properties that are essential to supporting and revitalizing our struggling commercial sector.

This item is presented without any analysis of the required balance. Your pursuit of ideological goals with no recognition of reality is bankrupting our city.

City Council is being asked to
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
2 1. Declare as "surplus land" City-owned properties located at:

Bergamot Station Arts Center located at 2500 Olympic (APNs 4268-013-919 and 4268- 014-900

Regards,
Nikki Kolhoff
Santa Monica Resident and Voter
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
7 David Yakobson
From: Faustino Garza <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 9:08 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Cc: Elaine Polachek; Douglas Sloan
Subject: Agenda Item 11.A, Council meeting of Feb. 25, 2025

EXTERNAL
To All Santa Monica City Council Members:

I write to you as a 37-year homeowner and resident of Santa Monica to oppose the proposal to repurpose commercial infrastructure on city-owned land at four key locations into 100% affordable housing.

The removal of more parking lots will be detrimental to commercial activity and thus to our city, resulting in a negative impact on city services and our residents.

My wife and I have stopped shopping and dining in downtown Santa Monica in large part because of the inconvenience of parking near places of business. Further elimination of parking spaces will only compound this problem for many of us residents and visitors.

Faustino Garza
Sunset Park
Santa Monica
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
From: Ann Hoover
To: Lana Negrete; Elaine Polachek; Caroline Torosis; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems Cc: Heather Averick; Douglas Sloan; Susan Cola; Susan Cline; Christopher J. Smith; Jenny Rogers; Sofia Klatzker; Jing Yeo; Armine Chaparyan; Natalie Verlinich; Ann Bowman; Steven Johnson; John Smith; Maryanne LaGuardia; Lori Brown
Subject: February 25, 2025 Council Meeting - Item 11.A. - Priorities for Bergamot Station Arts Center RFP Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 10:01:54 AM

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Negrete, Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, Ms. Polachek, and Esteemed Councilmembers - My cab driver on the way home from LAX yesterday was an exceptionally delightful man named Mr. Cho. He let me take a picture of the front of his cab, including permission to include himself, so here he is! Mr. Cho and I were having a great chat and as he drove us near Bergamot Station he began to rhapsodize about how much he loves visiting the galleries at Bergamot.

He said that he and his wife get sandwiches and then they spend the day at Bergamot, eating the sandwiches in the outdoor areas and then they take their time visiting all of the galleries. He said that some of the art is too expensive for them to buy but that some of it is affordable and they enjoy purchasing a piece from time to time that they take home.

He essentially was telling me that Bergamot is his happy place.

I don't think encounters like this one are accidental. I believe in serendipity.

So I hope that Council will prioritize the following tonight in its direction re: the Bergamot RFP, keeping the lovely Mr. Cho and his wife and the joy they find at Bergamot Arts Station in mind (i.e., please find a way to preserve existing tenancies and gallery uses and outdoor spaces, given the close proximity to transit that brings visitors from all over the region here):

FROM STAFF REPORT:
"Release of Notice/RFP in 2025 for Bergamot
Staff is recommending Bergamot be prioritized for the next RFP for several reasons:
1) Creation of workforce and artist housing has been identified as a critical need 2) Ongoing maintenance and facility costs associated with the Bergamot buildings 3) Lease revenue for the City’s General Fund from the 4th/5th/Arizona bank leases Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
4) Potential to package 4th/5th/Arizona site with the PS1 site to support financially feasible developments that meet the Housing Element commitment while potentially allowing for community benefits or a revenue generating source 5) Federal and State tax credits for affordable housing are extremely limited and competitive, Bergamot is better positioned to successfully apply and receive tax credits given its adjacency to transit.

Guiding Principles to be included in the Notice/RFP

1. Reaffirm the City’s commitment in the Housing Element to provide a minimum of 707 affordable residences at Bergamot, up to 80% Area Median Income (AMI).

2. Explore the potential of residences for artist affordable housing.

3. Permanent Supportive Housing apartments would be permissible, with 40 Project Based Vouchers from the Santa Monica Housing Authority, contingent on Federal availability and impacts of regulation changes..

4. Explore other potential commercial uses that prioritize cultural/arts uses.

5. Explore the feasibility and possibility of preservation (in part or in whole) of existing uses.

6. Tenant retention onsite.

7. Transit-oriented development principles and its proximity to the E-Line.

8. Community engagement."
** 9. Public outdoor and green space! (See the City's Open Space Element of the General Plan and how Bergamot is supposed to be part of a central corridor of community and open spaces - a "Seam of Central Open Spaces" - pp. 25-27) ** https://www.santamonica.gov/media/Document%20Library/Topic%20Explainers/Planning%20Resources/Open%20Space%20Element%20- %20March%201997.pdf
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Ann Bowman
Resident, 28+ years
Recreation and Parks Commissioner
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
8 David Yakobson
From: Karen Croner <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 7:46 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems; Elaine Polachek; Douglas Sloan Subject: OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A, Council meeting of Feb. 25, 2025

EXTERNAL
Council must not take this action.

If the Council supports this action, our city will suffer the permanent loss of irreplaceable properties that are essential to supporting and revitalizing our struggling commercial sector.

This item is presented without any analysis of the required balance.

City Council is being asked to

1. Declare as "surplus land" City-owned properties located at:

Bergamot Station Arts Center located at 2500 Olympic (APNs 4268-013-919 and 4268-014-900

2. Declare as "surplus land" two City-owned properties located at:
· 1333 4th Street (APNs 4291-011- 909 and 4291-011-910) · 1324 5th Street (APNs 4291-011-900, 4291-011-901, 4291-011-902, 4291-011-903, 4291-011-904, 4291- 011-905 and 4291-011-908).

Karen Croner
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
9 David Yakobson
From: Wendy Dembo <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 7:45 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Cc: Douglas Sloan; Elaine Polachek
Subject: Re: OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A, Council meeting of Feb. 25, 2025

EXTERNAL
Dear Council Members,
I have one question. Do you have the financing for these four 100% low-income buildings? The City Council rushed to tear down parking structure 4 and the lot has sat empty for five (?) years. The City lost the income from the parking structure and nothing has changed.

We need the Chase bank and the parking lots -- for the parking and their continued revenue.

The other day, I tried to get Jazz by Toni Morrison out of the SMPL. My daughter needed it that day (SAMOHI didn't have enough copies). I couldn't get it because it was at a branch that was closed on Monday.

Please think about the repercussions of getting rid of much-needed parking for the lots to sit vacant.

With great concern,
Wendy Dembo
Santa Monica Resident and Wilmont Council Member
On Mon, Feb 24, 2025 at 11:18 AM Wendy Dembo <[email protected]> wrote:

Re: OPPOSE Agenda Item 11. A, Council meeting of Feb. 25, 2025 Dear Esteemed Council,
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
10 In a perfect world, all Santa Monica visitors would take the train, a bus, or ride bikes. But in reality, people love their cars and they love to have easy and accessible parking.

Santa Monica receives a large part of its general budget from taxes that it collects from people, who visit Santa Monica restaurants and stores. If there is no parking, they won't come.

Tuesday night, you will vote on a proposal to repurpose commercial infrastructure on cityowned land at four key locations into 100% affordable housing. Agenda item 11.A asks the Council to “authorize staff to proceed with developing bidding documents for the demolition” of four sites in Santa Monica.

Council must not take this action.

There has been absolutely no consultation with the residents on the systematic elimination of commercial revenue subsidies of basic city services that this action represents. Over 50% of the general fund revenues that run our city are related to commercial activity. If businesses are diminished as parking is removed, who will pay? The residents will. Or, given what it costs to run our city, current and future residents will all suffer reductions in police, fire, libraries, street sweeping, and other essential services.

If the Council supports this action, our city will suffer the permanent loss of irreplaceable properties that are essential to supporting and revitalizing our struggling commercial sector.

This item is presented without any analysis of the required balance.

The City Council is being asked to
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
11 1. Declare as "surplus land" City-owned properties located at:

Bergamot Station Arts Center located at 2500 Olympic (APNs 4268-013-919 and 4268- 014-900

With great regret,
Wendy Dembo
Santa Monica Resident and Wilmont Board member
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
12 David Yakobson
From: Burt Goldstein <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 7:20 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Cc: Elaine Polachek; Douglas Sloan
Subject: Writing in OPPOSITION to Agenda Item 11.A

EXTERNAL
To: City Council
From: Burt Goldstein
Re: OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A, Council meeting of Feb. 25, 2025 Tuesday night City Council will vote on a proposal to repurpose commercial infrastructure on cityowned land at four key locations into 100% affordable housing. Agenda item 11.A asks Council to “authorize staff to proceed with developing bidding documents for the demolition” of four sites in Santa Monica.

Council must not take this action.

If the Council supports this action, our city will suffer the permanent loss of irreplaceable properties that are essential to supporting and revitalizing our struggling commercial sector.

This item is presented without any analysis of the required balance.

Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
13 David Yakobson
From: William Schoene <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 12:37 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems; Elaine Polachek; Douglas Sloan Subject: Oppose Agenda Item 11.A

EXTERNAL
Dear Councilfolk.

We think it would not be sound fiscal policy to replace revenue-generating city-owned infrastructure with relatively dense housing that would increase the city's cost for services. Lose, lose fiscally, really. Besides, if Santa Monica's commercial and tourist sectors eventually recover to pre-pandemic levels -- and we sure hope that they do -- then we're going to need all of that parking.

Wlliam & Mary Lou Schoene
1519 Oak Street Santa Monica 90405
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
14 David Yakobson
From: girltunes <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 11:27 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Cc: Elaine Polachek; Douglas Sloan
Subject: OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A, Council meeting of Feb. 25, 2025

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
I stand with Northeast Neighbors regarding their opposition to Agenda Item 11.A, Council meeting of Feb. 25, 2025.

You are going to seriously damage Santa Monica with your irresponsible proposal to remove city-owned, revenue producing public parking. We lose tons of business due to parking shortages already and now we will lose yet more business as well as parking revenue. This is madness. When are you going to serve Santa Monicans rather than the developers? SIncerely,
Ferris Gluck
To: City Council
From: Northeast Neighbors
Re: OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A, Council meeting of Feb. 25, 2025 Tuesday night City Council will vote on a proposal to repurpose commercial infrastructure on city-owned land at four key locations into 100% affordable housing. Agenda item 11.A asks Council to “authorize staff to proceed with developing bidding documents for the demolition” of four sites in Santa Monica.

Council must not take this action.

There has been absolutely no consultation with the residents on the systematic elimination of commercial revenue subsidies of basic city services that this action Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
15 represents. Over 50% of our General Fund revenues that run our city are related to commercial activity. If businesses are diminished as parking is removed, who will pay? The residents will. Or, given what it costs to run our city, current and future residents will all suffer reductions in police, fire, libraries, street sweeping and other essential services.

If the Council supports this action, our city will suffer the permanent loss of irreplaceable properties that are essential to supporting and revitalizing our struggling commercial sector.

This item is presented without any analysis of the required balance.

City Council is being asked to

1. Declare as "surplus land" City-owned properties located at:

Bergamot Station Arts Center located at 2500 Olympic (APNs 4268-013-919 and 4268-014- 900

The Board of Northeast Neighbors
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
16 David Yakobson
From: Dana Kotler <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 11:16 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; councilmtgitems; Douglas Sloan; [email protected]
Subject: OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A, Council meeting of Feb. 25, 2025

EXTERNAL
Hello,
Once again, I am astonished at the direction the City of Santa Monica is going in. While other cities across the greater LA area are thriving, ours is a wasteland of a formerly amazing city. Instead of trying to bring back business, we’re now here proposing to get rid of parking- further hurting our city’s businesses.

Tuesday night City Council will vote on a proposal to repurpose commercial infrastructure on city-owned land at four key locations into 100% affordable housing. Agenda item 11.A asks Council to “authorize staff to proceed with developing bidding documents for the demolition” of four sites in Santa Monica.

Council must not take this action.

If the Council supports this action, our city will suffer the permanent loss of irreplaceable properties that are essential to supporting and revitalizing our struggling commercial sector.

This item is presented without any analysis of the required balance.

City Council is being asked to

1. Declare as "surplus land" City-owned properties located at:

Bergamot Station Arts Center located at 2500 Olympic (APNs 4268-013-919 and 4268-014-900

2. Declare as "surplus land" two City-owned properties located at:
• 1333 4th Street (APNs 4291-011- 909and 4291-011-
910)
•
1324 5th Street (APNs 4291-011-900, 4291-011-901, 4291-011-902, 4291-011-903, 4291-011-904, 4291-011-905 and 4291-011-908).

Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
17 3. Declare as "surplus land" City-owned property located at:
1234 4th Street (Parking Structure 1)
At a time when the City should be focusing on generating revenues needed to support the expected population growth, the Council must not take this action. We all need our local businesses to succeed.

Regards,
Dana Kotler
Sent from my iPhone
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
18 David Yakobson
From: D'Orsogna, Maria R <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 10:48 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Agenda Item 11.A - do not demolish public parking

EXTERNAL

Dear City Council person,
it has come to my attention that you are proposing to get rid of four or five city-owned parking lots and buildings in exchange for 100% affordable housing at the core of downtown.

I am not sure of the details as the process has not been very transparent on your part.

In any event... if this is true, where will people, residents and tourists alike, park? How are our businesses going to survive without parking? How will you be able to guarantee services for the influx of new population? Where will new services be built? Does it make sense to build 100% affordable housing in several lots at the center of what should be our tourist engine?
Have any of you studied urban planning and/or heard of master plans? Everything should have its place, and construction should not be a random process.

This is downtown, where tourists come, and where they should be lavished with beauty and elegance.

To the best of my knowledge these 100% affordable housing units typically fail, as this is just a fancy name for public housing. One just needs to look at Cabrini-Green in Chicago, Illinois or Pruitt Igoe in Saint Louis, Missouri, or even to the projects in New York City.

And mind you, the parking lots you want to destroy were built with our taxpayer dollars.

Personally, I stopped going Downtown as the crime and drugs and homelessness and violence are out of control. Your first priority should be exerting some tough love on vagrants, helping business owners and tourists, instead of catering to the pockets of developers.

Sincerely,
Maria
From: D'Orsogna, Maria R
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 10:45 PM
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
19 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item 11.A - do not demolish public parking

I am not sure of the details as the process has not been very transparent on your part.

This is downtown, where tourists come, and where they should be lavished with beauty and elegance.

And mind you, the parking lots you want to destroy were built with our taxpayer dollars.

Sincerely,
Maria
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
20 David Yakobson
From: Kathy Knight <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 9:55 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems; Elaine Polachek; Douglas Sloan Cc: Friends of Sunset Park
Subject: Oppose Agenda Item 11A of Council Meeting February 25, 2025

EXTERNAL
To the Santa Monica City Council:

Please vote NO on a proposal to demolish 4 important parking areas in our downtown Santa Monica. We need these important
parking areas so that we can easily find a place to park when we are doing business downtown. They are an important
part of being able to drive around to the various areas to be able to take care of business matters and also to shop at our local stores, buying items they are selling. Our businesses need this support.

There are many non-affordable housing projects being built. Why can’t some of that space include more affordable housing?
Sincerely,
Kathy Knight
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
21 David Yakobson
From: Jennifer Shiri <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 9:36 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Cc: Elaine Polachek; Douglas Sloan
Subject: OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A, Council meeting of Feb. 25, 2025

EXTERNAL
To: City Council
From: Northeast Neighbors
Re: OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A, Council meeting of Feb. 25, 2025 Tuesday night City Council will vote on a proposal to repurpose commercial infrastructure on city-owned land at four key locations into 100% affordable housing. Agenda item 11.A asks Council to “authorize staff to proceed with developing bidding documents for the demolition” of four sites in Santa Monica.

Council must not take this action.

If the Council supports this action, our city will suffer the permanent loss of irreplaceable properties that are essential to supporting and revitalizing our struggling commercial sector.

This item is presented without any analysis of the required balance.

City Council is being asked to

1. Declare as "surplus land" City-owned properties located at:

Bergamot Station Arts Center located at 2500 Olympic (APNs 4268-013-919 and 4268-014-900

3. Declare as "surplus land" City-owned property located at:
1234 4th Street (Parking Structure 1)
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
22 At a time when the City should be focusing on generating revenues needed to support the expected population growth, the Council must not take this action. We all need our local businesses to succeed.

Regards,
Jennifer Shiri
858-922-5693
Sent from my iPhone
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
23 David Yakobson
From: Ruthann Lehrer <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 9:31 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Subject: Comments on 11A

EXTERNAL

Honorable Mayor Negrete and Councilmembers,
I am offering some comments on sections 1 and 3 in item 11A.

Section 1: Bergamot Station Conservation Arts Center is a unique cultural destination and important to Santa Monica’s identity. Any new development at that site should be compatible with those primary uses. This site is neither vacant nor surplus.

Section 3: demolition of PS1
Please do not adopt this without a more comprehensive evaluation of the economic impacts on the downtown business community.

The staff report and other documents don’t include a study of the economic impacts on our downtown businesses, which are struggling to survive the current downturn. The public parking structures are major public assets that support commercial and retail activity in the heart of our city, providing visitor and residential basic amenities to access our restaurants, stores, cultural activities etc. It seems very shortsighted to shift our development focus solely to housing at the expense of the economic diversity that makes us a complete and balanced city.

It is not surprising that the Walker Consultants study supports the direction that staff is seeking, but their data is based upon fiscal year July 2023 -June 2024. The report does state, on p. 18: …across a 365-day survey period the 2016/17 and 2018/19 occupancy data were generally higher than the 2023/24 data.

Looking at 2016/17 data, there were 34 days where study area demand for parking could exceed the supply if PS1 and Lot 27 are removed from the study area supply.

We should not remove the infrastructure that would enable us to return to the higher level of economic activity downtown of those past times.

The staff report notes that PS1 is not designated as a city-owned site reserved for affordable housing development in the Housing Element. The site is not vacant or surplus.

It is an important public service amenity to support the health of our downtown business community.

Please do not adopt the staff recommendation on PS1 without further study and consultation with affected stakeholders and residents.

Thank you,
Ruthann Lehrer, a 50-year resident of Santa Monica
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
24 …

Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
25 David Yakobson
From: Jessica Pirrone <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 9:22 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Dan Hall; David White
Subject: OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A, Council meeting of Feb. 25, 2025

EXTERNAL
To: City Council
Tuesday night City Council will vote on a proposal to repurpose commercial infrastructure on city-owned land at four key locations into 100% affordable housing. Agenda item 11.A asks Council to “authorize staff to proceed with developing bidding documents for the demolition” of four sites in Santa Monica.

Council must not take this action.

If the Council supports this action, our city will suffer the permanent loss of irreplaceable properties that are essential to supporting and revitalizing our struggling commercial sector.

This item is presented without any analysis of the required balance.

City Council is being asked to
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
26 1. Declare as "surplus land" City-owned properties located at:

Bergamot Station Arts Center located at 2500 Olympic (APNs 4268-013- 919 and 4268-014-900

2. Declare as "surplus land" two City-owned properties located at:
 1333 4th Street (APNs 4291-011- 909and 4291-011-910)
 1324 5th Street (APNs 4291-011-900, 4291-011-901, 4291-011- 902, 4291-011-903, 4291-011-904, 4291-011-905 and 4291-011-908).

We all need our local businesses to succeed.

Thank you,
Jessica Pirrone
612 17th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Sam Shapiro-Kline <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 3:48 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Comment on Agenda Item 11.A

EXTERNAL
Hello Councilmembers,
Please see below my thoughts on item 11.A, the declaration of certain sites as surplus land.  I support declaring all parcels Surplus Land, not Exempt Surplus. Flexibility is needed given the changing affordable housing funding landscape.
o City must consider private development options that would include an affordable housing component at the Arizona site, including a hotel. RFP for this site and others should offer maximum flexibility (open to all uses, all densities/heights) so that the city can see a variety of potential offers and determine what is in our best interest. o I support demolishing PS1, and beginning the coastal commission process to do so immediately. While options 2 and 3 are both acceptable, the city should initiate the demolition process on its own, and then begin the process of an RFP of the site as Surplus Land.  RFP for Bergamot and Arizona should be issued simultaneously or in short sequence in 2025, not waiting 2 years for Arizona. The aim should be to break ground in ~2 years, not begin the RFP process then.
o Associated with this, the city should reject a long-term (5 year) lease with BofA in favor of a 1-2 year extension
o The RFP process must be simplified from the city’s perspective and be opened to all proposals, with simple guiding principles, namely that proposals should produce affordable housing and/or tax revenue. We cannot delay housing production due to the desire to micro-manage RFPs.

Best,
Sam Shapiro-Kline
90403
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
2 David Yakobson
From: phil traill <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 3:20 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems

EXTERNAL
To: City Council
I OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A
Tuesday night City Council will vote on a proposal to repurpose commercial infrastructure on city-owned land at four key locations into 100% affordable housing.

Agenda item 11.A asks Council to “authorize staff to proceed with developing bidding documents for the demolition” of four sites in Santa Monica.

Council must pls not take this action.

There has been absolutely no consultation with the residents on the systematic elimination of commercial revenue subsidies of basic city services that this action represents.

Over 50% of our General Fund revenues that run our city are related to commercial activity. If businesses are diminished as parking is removed who will pay? The residents will. Or given what it costs to run our city current and future residents will all suffer reductions in police fire libraries street sweeping and other essential services.If the Council supports this action our city will suffer the permanent loss of irreplaceable properties that are essential to supporting and revitalizing our struggling commercial sector.This item is presented without any analysis of the required balance.

City Council is being asked to1. Declare as "surplus land" City-owned properties located at:Bergamot Station Arts Center located at 2500 Olympic (APNs 4268-013-919 and 4268-014-900 2. Declare as "surplus land" two Cityowned properties located at:
· 1333 4th Street (APNs 4291-011- 909 and 4291-011-910) · 1324 5th Street (APNs 4291-011-900, 4291-011-901, 4291-011- 902, 4291-011-903, 4291-011-904, 4291-011-905 and 4291-011-908).

Phil Traill
2404 Cloverfield Blvd
Santa Monica 90405
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
3 David Yakobson
From: Daniel Galamba <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 3:12 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: February 25, 2025 City Council Meeting: Please OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A - Council must not support the demolition of public parking to build 100% affordable housing projects

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
I must ask you not to support the demolition of public parking in order to build 100% affordable housing projects.

The City Council is being asked to:

1. Declare as "surplus land" City-owned properties located at:

Bergamot Station Arts Center located at 2500 Olympic (APNs 4268-013-919 and 4268-014-900 2. Declare as "surplus land" two City-owned properties located at:
* 1333 4th Street (APNs 4291-011- 909 and 4291-011-910) * 1324 5th Street (APNs 4291-011-900, 4291-011-901, 4291-011-902, 4291-011-903, 4291-011-904, 4291-011-905 and 4291-011-908).

3. Declare as "surplus land" City-owned property located at:
1234 4th Street (Parking Structure 1)
If the Council supports this action, our city will suffer the permanent loss of irreplaceable properties that are essential to supporting and revitalizing our struggling commercial sector. We should be supporting our local businesses and helping them to survive, not supporting their demise. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Dr Daniel Galamba
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
4 David Yakobson
From: Daniel Galamba <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 3:06 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Subject: Please OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A - Council must not support the demolition of public parking to build 100% affordable housing projects

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council,
I must ask you not to support the demolition of public parking in order to build 100% affordable housing projects.

The City Council is being asked to:

1. Declare as "surplus land" City-owned properties located at:

Sincerely,
Dr Daniel Galamba
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
5 David Yakobson
From: Ann Maggio <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 3:00 PM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems; Elaine Polachek; Douglas Sloan Subject: OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A, Council meeting of Feb. 25, 2025

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
"According to that study, other parking facilities have enough space to handle parking demands from the post-Covid era and if the City used older parking data from busier economic times, the reduced parking facilities would have enough capacity to handle parking demands about 91% of the time." https://smdp.com/news/item-16-discussions-set-to-dominate-tuesdays-city-council-meeting/ Based on the Staff's recommendation AND the parking report, it seems the expectation is that most area businesses surrounding these lots won't be revived to provide taxable income for the city coffers so they choose zero income.

Furthermore, the claim is that should taxable businesses take hold where current vacancies exist, the intended consequence is that 9% of the time cars would circle around the area and in and out of parking facilities in search of a spot....sometimes simply giving up and taking their business elsewhere.

Does anyone proposing these ideas have a degree in economics? How is circling around the area in line with the city's sustainability goals? Ann Maggio Thanawalla
"Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." - Albert Einstein Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Gail Gordon <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 1:35 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Oppose 11a

EXTERNAL
I am a resident and business owner in Santa Monica and I oppose the demolition of Parking Lot #4.

Our businesses rely on these parking lots to survive. Business is bad enough in the City due to Crime which has gone uncontrolled.

Do not make it more difficult for businesses to survive by limiting access to their businesses.

Parking must be provided.

Sent from my iPhone
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
2 David Yakobson
From: Lauren Birnstein <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 11:56 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: 11.A Demolition of Public Parking Buildings 2/25 Meeting Agenda

EXTERNAL
Both my husband and I strongly oppose this agenda (11.A Demolition of Public Parking Buildings). It is inconceivable to us how this source of revenue and convenience for a city that is having monetary problems and is having businesses move away or shutter, can be taken away. The Second Street Promenade is already a disaster because businesses are moving away. Does the Council see what this will do to all the businesses in the area? Shame on you for even considering this!
Lauren and Peter Birnstein, 834 25th Street, Santa Monica 90403 Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
3 David Yakobson
From: Ann Maggio <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 11:28 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems; Elaine Polachek; Douglas Sloan Subject: OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A, Council meeting of Feb. 25, 2025

EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council,
Santa Monica's garbage has no permanent home and when we find one it will cost more than twice the price. Meanwhile, the rat infestations increase, our sewage and water infrastructure is rotting and when work is done there is no coordination to bury the fire prone electrical wires, our streets have potholes, our sidewalks and curbs are broken, we lack streetlights and others are broken, crosswalks aren't painted, bus stop signage, trash receptacles and other such public properties remain filthy and disgusting. Nothing shines here other than the sun.

Put our tax dollars to work by fixing all the things that are broken. This is your duty.

Sincerely,
Ann Maggio Thanawalla
"Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." - Albert Einstein Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
4 David Yakobson
From: Wendy Dembo <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 11:18 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Cc: Douglas Sloan; Elaine Polachek
Subject: Re: OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A, Council meeting of Feb. 25, 2025

EXTERNAL
Re: OPPOSE Agenda Item 11. A, Council meeting of Feb. 25, 2025 Dear Esteemed Council,
In a perfect world, all Santa Monica visitors would take the train, a bus, or ride bikes. But in reality, people love their cars and they love to have easy and accessible parking.

Santa Monica receives a large part of its general budget from taxes that it collects from people, who visit Santa Monica restaurants and stores. If there is no parking, they won't come.

Council must not take this action.

There has been absolutely no consultation with the residents on the systematic elimination of commercial revenue subsidies of basic city services that this action Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
5 represents. Over 50% of the general fund revenues that run our city are related to commercial activity. If businesses are diminished as parking is removed, who will pay? The residents will. Or, given what it costs to run our city, current and future residents will all suffer reductions in police, fire, libraries, street sweeping, and other essential services.

If the Council supports this action, our city will suffer the permanent loss of irreplaceable properties that are essential to supporting and revitalizing our struggling commercial sector.

This item is presented without any analysis of the required balance.

The City Council is being asked to

1. Declare as "surplus land" City-owned properties located at:

Bergamot Station Arts Center located at 2500 Olympic (APNs 4268-013-919 and 4268-014- 900

Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
6 With great regret,
Wendy Dembo
Santa Monica Resident and Wilmont Board member
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
7 David Yakobson
From: Tricia Crane <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2025 10:10 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; councilmtgitems
Cc: Elaine Polachek; Douglas Sloan
Subject: OPPOSE Agenda Item 11.A - Council must not support the demolition of needed commercial infrastructure

Council must not take this action.

If the Council supports this action, our city will suffer the permanent loss of irreplaceable properties that are essential to supporting and revitalizing our struggling commercial sector.

Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
8 This item is presented without any analysis of the required balance.

City Council is being asked to

1. Declare as "surplus land" City-owned properties located at:

Bergamot Station Arts Center located at 2500 Olympic (APNs 4268-013-919 and 4268-014- 900

The Board of Northeast Neighbors
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
9 Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
10 Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
11 Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
12 Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
13 Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Andrew Thomas <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, February 21, 2025 10:36 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Dan Hall; Jesse Zwick; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell
Subject: February 25, 2025 Santa Monica City Council Agenda Item 11A.3 (Request for Further Stakeholder Engagement)
Attachments: 1234 4th Street_Parking Structure 1 Demolition 02.21.25.pdf

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Lana Negrete, Honorable Council Members, and Esteemed City Staff, On behalf of the Board of Directors of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM, Inc.), I respectfully request that you refrain from taking a position on Agenda Item 11A.3 from the February 25, 2025, Santa Monica City Council agenda until City staff has sought input from DTSM, Inc. and other Downtown Santa Monica stakeholders.

The site at 1234 4th Street is a highly valuable parcel in the heart of Downtown Santa Monica. Rather than designating it exclusively for a future 100% affordable housing development at this stage, we urge the Council to explore and evaluate all potential alternatives, including the feasibility of a seismic retrofit of Parking Structure 1.

We appreciate your thoughtful consideration of this matter and your commitment to ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive decision-making process. Thank you for your continued support of Downtown businesses and for prioritizing stakeholder engagement in shaping the future of 1234 4th Street.

Sincerely,
Andrew Thomas, LPM
Chief Executive Officer
Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.
1351 Third Street Promenade, Ste. 201
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.393.8355 (Office)
www.DowntownSM.com
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Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
February 21, 2025
Ms. Lana Negretre, Mayor
and Santa Monica City Council
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Re: 1234 4th Street (Downtown Public Parking Structure #1) Dear Mayor Lana Negrete, Honorable Council Members, and Esteemed City Staff, On behalf of the Board of Directors of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM, Inc.), I respectfully request that you refrain from taking a position on Agenda Item 11A.3 from the February 25, 2025, Santa Monica City Council agenda until City staff has sought input from DTSM, Inc. and other Downtown Santa Monica stakeholders.

Sincerely,
Andrew Thomas, CEO
Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.
cc: DTSM, Inc. Board of Directors
Elaine Polachek, City Manager
Armine Chaparyan, Community Development Director
Jennifer Taylor, Economic Development Director
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
1 David Yakobson
From: Mary-Elizabeth Michaels
Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2025 7:59 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: ME Michaels
Subject: Feb 25, 2025 City Council Agenda Item 11 re Bergamot Station redevelopment Attachments: SM Arts Commission Letter re Bergamot Station Development Updated 2-23-25.docx Please find attached letter regarding Feb 25, 2025 City Council Agenda Item 11 re Bergamot Station redevelopment.

Mary-Elizabeth Michaels
Chair, Santa Monica Art Commission
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
Item 11-A
February 25, 2025
February 23, 2025
Dear Honorable Members of the Santa Monica City Council, On behalf of the full Santa Monica Arts Commission, we are writing to express our deep commitment to ensuring that any future development at Bergamot Station Arts Center is undertaken with the utmost care and with significant input from the arts community and the public. This letter is regarding Item 11 for the February 25, 2024 City Council agenda regarding the 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.

The Santa Monica Arts Commission unanimously urges the Council to prioritize one of the other development locations and to slow down the current process for the Bergamot Station location to allow for deeper community engagement and a more comprehensive strategy that prioritizes affordability and appropriate/quality space for artists, cultural institutions, and galleries.

Bergamot Station has long served as a vital cultural hub, providing accessible space for fine art galleries, non-profit arts organizations, and creative businesses. As such, it is highly valued by our local community, as well as by tourists, and adds to Santa Monica’s international stature.

While we recognize the City’s efforts to preserve the site’s artistic identity, the recent changes to lease agreements and property management, persistent unaddressed problems at the site, the loss of several fine arts businesses, and the past closing of the Santa Monica Museum of Art, have underscored the need for a more intentional and sustainable path forward.

The current development prioritization may not fully align with Bergamot’s original mission as an arts-centered space. Specifically, we are concerned that:

1. Affordable Artist Housing Is Missing from the Conversation: Santa Monica has long struggled with the affordability crisis for artists and cultural workers. Without dedicated live/work housing options, we risk further displacing the very individuals who contribute to our city’s creative identity.

2. Galleries and Cultural Spaces Must Remain the Core of Bergamot: While the plan includes some protections for existing arts tenants, we believe more safeguards are needed to ensure that galleries are not priced out over time and that new retail spaces are designed specifically to support arts-focused businesses rather than commercial retail.

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3. Community Input Must Be Expanded: The vision for Bergamot should be shaped by those who rely on it most: artists, gallery owners, non-profits, and residents. The development process must include robust public engagement, town halls, and working sessions with stakeholders to ensure that any revitalization plan truly reflects community needs.

We acknowledge that the City has taken important steps in protecting the site’s cultural function, including council’s February 2024 support of maintaining Bergamot as a thriving art center especially for existing tenants; the adopted Bergamot Area Plan (2013); and the establishment of the Bergamot Advisory Committee (2015). However, in light of ongoing changes and the increasing pressures of development in Santa Monica, it is critical that we take a measured and thoughtful approach to Bergamot’s future.

We respectfully request that the City Council:
• Slow major Bergamot Art Center development decisions until a more comprehensive community engagement process is conducted, including participation of the Arts Commission and Cultural Affairs.
• Prioritize the inclusion of affordable artist housing and quality arts and cultural space as part of the revitalization plan.
• Ensure that new commercial spaces are designed specifically for galleries and cultural businesses rather than general market retail.
• Strengthen long-term protections for existing arts tenants to guarantee their ability to remain in Santa Monica.

Bergamot Station represents an unparalleled opportunity to reaffirm Santa Monica’s commitment to the arts. Let us take the time to do it right.

We look forward to working closely with the City Council and all stakeholders to ensure that Bergamot remains a thriving, accessible, and artist-centered space for generations to come.

Sincerely,
Mary-Elizabeth Michaels, Chair
Susan Jain, Vice-Chair
Michelle S. Edgar
Federico Galavis
Staci Griesbach
Michael James Masucci
Bob Ramirez
Deepa Subramanian
Laurie Yehia
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2 David Yakobson
From: Mathew Millen <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2025 2:28 PM
To: councilmtgitems; [email protected]; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Lana Negrete; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin
Subject: 2/25 Item 11A Stop segregating the Pico Neighborhood Attachments: Item11A.pdf

EXTERNAL
Attached are my comments for item 11A
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