City Council Meeting: May 13, 2025 Santa Monica, California RESOLUTION NUMBER _____ (CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
AMENDING THE SANTA MONICA GENERAL PLAN LAND USE MAP FOR THE PARCEL LOCATED AT 1331 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD FOR CONSISTENT
DESIGNATION
WHEREAS, on July 6, 2010, the City Council adopted the Land Use and Circulation Element (“LUCE”) of the City’s General Plan, including a General Plan Land Use Map; and
WHEREAS, on July 24, 2015, the City adopted a revised Zoning Ordinance, which included a revised the Official Districting Map; and
WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 65860 was amended by SB 1333, which became effective on January 1, 2019, to require that Charter Cities have consistency between their General Plans and Zoning Ordinances; and WHEREAS, the parcel located at 1331 Wilshire Boulevard is currently improved with a longstanding retail use; and
WHEREAS, the parcel has a “split designation” and “split zoning”, with the front two-thirds along Wilshire Blvd being designated Mixed Use Boulevard in the General Plan Land Use Map and zoned MUB (Mixed-Use Boulevard) in the Official Districting Map, and the rear one-third being designated as Low Density Housing in the General Plan Land Use Map and zoned as R2 (Low Density Residential) in the Official Districting Map; and WHEREAS, the existing “split designation” runs through the existing structure, creating a nonconforming condition for the rear portion of the parcel; and WHEREAS, the “split designation” has presented issues in potential reuse of the property as commercial uses are generally prohibited in the Low Density Housing designation and presents a constraint on potential redevelopment of the parcel as two incongruous sets of land use regulations and development standards would be applied to the parcel; and
WHEREAS, on February 19, 2025, pursuant to Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 9.45.060(B), the Planning Commission adopted Resolution Number 25-003 (PCS), a Resolution of Intention, declaring its intention to consider recommending to the City Council that the Council, among other things, amend the Santa Monica General Plan Land Use Map and Official Districting Map for the City of Santa Monica for the parcel located at 1331 Wilshire Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, amending the General Plan Land Use Map to designate the entire parcel located at 1331 Wilshire Boulevard as Mixed Use Boulevard will resolve the “split designation” issue, removing impediments to future development; and WHEREAS, on March 19, 2025, the Planning Commission conducted a dulynoticed public hearing, and after considering oral and written testimony, adopted a Resolution of Recommendation, Resolution Number 25-005 (PCS), recommending that the City Council amend the General Plan Land Use Map for the parcel located at 1331 Wilshire Boulevard for consistent designation; and
WHEREAS, on May 13, 2025, the City Council conducted a duly noticed public hearing to consider the recommendation of the Planning Commission, and, after considering all oral and written testimony, desires to adopt the proposed amendments to the General Plan Land Use Map for the parcel located at 1331 Wilshire Boulevard.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Amendments to the General Plan Map. Pursuant to Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 9.45.080, the City Council does hereby amend the General Plan Land Use Map for the parcel located at 1331 Wilshire Boulevard because the subject parcel is currently designated as both Mixed Use Boulevard and Low Density Housing but has long been developed with a commercial use. This “split designation” runs through the existing commercial development, and, therefore, has resulted in the Low Density Housing portion being nonconforming, presenting issues in potential reuse of the property. Additionally, the split designation presents a constraint on potential redevelopment of the parcel as two incongruous sets of land use regulations and development standards would be applied to the parcel. This proposed change designating the entire parcel as Mixed Use Boulevard will provide a consistent General Plan designation for the parcel, eliminate the nonconforming condition and impediments to planned and future development of the parcel, ensure consistency between the General Plan Land Use Map and the Official Districting Map, and address any nonconforming conditions and impediments to planned and future development of the parcel, as set forth in Exhibit A, attached to this Resolution.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________
DOUGLAS SLOAN
City Attorney
EXHIBIT A
Amendment to the Land Use Map of the General Plan for the Parcel Located at 1331 Wilshire Boulevard
Address APN LUCE
Designation
Proposed Designation
1331 Wilshire
Boulevard
4281-012-025 Mixed Use
Boulevard/Low
Density
Housing
Mixed Use Boulevard