City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: March 25, 2025
Agenda Item: 12.B
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Douglas Sloan, City Attorney, City Attorney's Office, Administration Subject: Introduction and Adoption of Emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance Extending Interim Zoning Regulations Exempting City Projects From Temporary Use Permit Requirements During a Declared Local or State of Emergency Recommended Actions
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Sections 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption), and exemption pursuant to 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Introduce and Adopt an Emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance to Extend Interim Zoning Regulations Exempting Projects on City-Owned Property and that Use City Funds From Temporary Use Permit Requirements During a Declared Local or State of Emergency.
Summary
On December 17, 2024, the City Council Adopted Emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance 2796 (CCS) (EIZO 2796) exempting projects on City-owned property or that utilize City funds from Temporary Use Permit requirements during a declared or local state of emergency. (Attachment A.)
Although EIZO 2796 is of general applicability, it was adopted by the City Council in conjunction with actions taken to implement the SaMo Bridge project, a diversion program utilizing a no-barrier 24/7 respite hub to address unmet behavioral health, substance abuse, and housing needs of justice-involved adults in the Santa Monica 2 of 7
community. The interim zoning regulations adopted by EIZO 2796 allowed a flexibility in the location of the respite hub.
EIZO 2796 became effective upon adoption, and, pursuant to Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 9.46.090(C), was effective for 60 days, unless extended by the City Council. Staff now recommends that the City Council introduce and adopt an Emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance to extend the interim zoning regulations established by EIZO 2796 until June 30, 2028, in order to ensure SaMo Bridge may operate in a manner that is consistent with the Zoning Ordinance throughout the term of its operations.
Discussion
Santa Monica has a long-standing comprehensive, coordinated, and interdisciplinary approach to addressing homelessness. These efforts are advanced by non-profit partners; Federal, State, and County governments; and City departments working together to address and prevent homelessness and its impact on the broader community who live, play, and/or work in Santa Monica.
As part of this coordinated effort, on June 5, 2024, the City Attorney’s Office (CAO), submitted an application for Proposition 47 grant funding in an amount equal to $7,926,172 for SaMo Bridge, a diversion program that addresses the behavioral health, substance use, and housing needs of justice-involved adults in the Santa Monica community.
On October 3, 2024, the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) awarded full grant funding to the City of Santa Monica. On October 22, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution Number 11629 (CCS) authorizing the City Manager to submit the application to BSCC, accept the grant, execute the grant agreement, and execute other necessary documents. Per the terms of the grant, SaMo Bridge is required to be operational no later than April 2025 and provide services through the end of March 2028.
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At SaMo Bridge’s respite hub, individuals can address basic needs and enroll in 90-day care coordination plans to secure housing and treatment services. SaMo Bridge participants will access the respite hub for a limited time as their Case Manager creates a care plan that may include temporary housing, treatment services, or reunification with family. The CAO’s Criminal Unit will dismiss citations and cases for SaMo Bridge participants who complete their 90-day care plans.
On December 17, 2024, Council authorized the City Manager to negotiate and execute agreements with four vendors participating in implementation of SaMo Bridge, and provided Council with next steps for implementation. As reported at the December 17, 2024 meeting, and since that time, the CAO has continued to work with City Department partners towards implementation and commenced the grant-required community outreach process.
Anticipated SaMo Bridge Site
As reported on December 17, 2024, to select the SaMo Bridge respite hub site, staff from the CAO and SMPD assessed 14 properties and facilitated a discussion with 5 City Departments to identify the most feasible location for SaMo Bridge operations. Crossdepartment leadership reached consensus that the cement patio area adjacent to the entrance of the Civic Center Auditorium East Wing was the best location to site SaMo Bridge during the grant period.
However, after several community engagement meetings, and in response to feedback received, staff has determined that the parking lot on the corner of Pico Boulevard and Main Street should serve as the location for the respite hub. Due to the temporary nature of the 3-year grant period and the fact that the Civic property is under consideration for future development that is unlikely to break ground before 3 years, staff continues to believe that the Civic Center appears to be the most viable candidate to host SaMo Bridge operations.
Emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance
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On December 17, 2024, in conjunction with its consideration of implementation of the SaMo Bridge project, and to ensure placement and use of the trailers as a respite hub is consistent with the Zoning Ordinance, the City Council introduced and adopted Emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance 2796 (CCS) (EIZO 2796) to exempt temporary uses on City-owned property or that utilize City funds during a declared local or state of emergency.
On March 11, 2025, the Council adopted the 2025 Proclamation of the City Council of Santa Monica Declaring a Local Emergency on Homelessness (2025 Proclamation), extending the homelessness state of emergency through December 31, 2026. The 2025 Proclamation will maintain the momentum and achieve the objectives of the Homelessness Strategic Plan, which Council also adopted on March 11th, and also makes clear that the Director of the Community Development Department, or designee, has authority to approve temporary uses located on City property or utilizing City funds that support people who are at-risk of or experiencing homelessness or to address local impacts of homelessness. The Proclamation and the interim zoning regulations adopted by EIZO 2796 allow for flexibility in location of the SaMo Bridge respite hub should the need for alternate locations arise.
Staff now recommends that the City Council introduce and adopt the attached Emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance to extend the interim zoning regulations established by IZO 2796 through June 30, 2028, to ensure SaMo Bridge may operate in a manner consistent with the Zoning Ordinance throughout the term of the Prop 47 Grant.
EIZO 2796 became effective upon adoption, and, pursuant to Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 9.46.090(C), was effective for 60 days, unless extended by the City Council. The Council did not consider an extension within 60 days of adoption in order to ensure a complete community outreach process for SaMo Bridge, particularly the proposed location of the respite hub. As a result, the proposed effective date of the Emergency Interim Zoning Ordinance is February 15, 2025 (60 days from the adoption of IZO 2796 on December 17, 2024).
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Grant Implementation Next Steps
BSCC Prop 47 grant funding requires SaMo Bridge open for client services by April 2025 and provide services through the end of March 2028. To prepare the program to open in April, the CAO continues to coordinate with various City departments towards implementation and has commenced the community engagement process, as described below.
BSCC-Required Community Engagement
The CAO has commenced its ongoing collaboration with the community on SaMo Bridge through two different methods.
(1) Per the Prop 47 grant funding requirements, the CAO has established a Prop 47 Local Advisory Committee which includes representatives from multiple city departments, city contracted social service partners and community stakeholders with expertise in human services and criminal justice reform. Committee members have been instrumental in Identifying and prioritizing the most pressing needs to be addressed (including target population, target area, etc.); identifying the strategies, programs, and/or services to be implemented to address those needs; developing the SaMo Bridge project; and will support the ongoing implementation. At the most recent Local Advisory Committee meeting on January 15, 2025, several additional organizations were identified and have agreed to participate, including a representative from the Growing Place, Ocean Park Neighborhood Association, and the Field Sports Advisory Council.
(2) Also per the grant requirements, the CAO will host regular community meetings to gather ongoing feedback and share non-confidential updates from the Proposition 47 Local Advisory Committee, with the first taking place on January 22, 2025 at the Human Services Commission. The CAO will use the Human Services Commission going forward to serve as quarterly updates to the community. The CAO also learned from the Local Advisory meeting that hosting specific community meetings would be critical to gaining support. Over the last month, the CAO has held meetings with the Recreations and Park commissions, Growing Place, Field Sports Advisory 6 of 7
Council, Ocean Park Neighborhood association, DTSM, and the Chamber of Commerce.
Environmental Review
On December 17, 2024, the Council adopted a finding that the operation of the SaMo Bridge program would have no possibility of significant effect on the environment, and therefore, is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. The grant funding provides administrative services to participants, and therefore, it can be seen with certainty that the extension of the interim zoning regulations would not result in adverse physical impacts on the environment. The Council further adopted a finding that operation of the SaMo Bridge program within small, temporary leased trailers would be exempt pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) of the CEQA guidelines. There have been no changes in the program or the physical environment in the vicinity of the trailers since December 17, 2024.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the recommended action.
Prepared By: Heidi Von Tongeln, Deputy City Attorney
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Ordinance 2796
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B. CDD-City Temporary Emergency Uses IZO Ext-Ord
C. Written Comments