City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: October 14, 2025
Agenda Item: 11.D
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Heidi Von Tongeln, Interim City Attorney, City Attorney's Office, Administration
Subject: Acceptance of Agreement Imposing Restrictions on Real Property for the Parcel Located at 2644 30th Street and Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Amending the Official Districting Map for a Portion of the Parcel Located at 2644 30th Street
Recommended Actions
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding that the acceptance of the attached Agreement Imposing Restrictions on Real Property (Covenant) for the parcel located at 2644 30th Street is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the CEQA Guidelines, consistent with the findings set forth in the “Environmental Review” section of this Report;
2. Accept the attached Agreement Imposing Restrictions on Real Property (Covenant) for the parcel located at 2644 30th Street.
Staff recommends that upon approval of Covenant that the City Council:
1. Adopt the attached Ordinance amending the Official Districting Map for a Portion of the Parcel Located at 2644 30th Street.
At its meeting on September 30, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution Number 11702 (CCS), amending the General Plan Land Use Map and introduced for first reading an Ordinance amending the Official Districting Map for a portion of the subject property located at 2644 30th Street developed with a commercial office building.
As explained in the September 30, 2025 staff report, the property owner voluntarily offered to execute a covenant with the City confirming its stated intention that for 10 years, the property owner will not (a) redevelop the commercial lots utilizing the new 2 of 4
Neighborhood Commercial (NC) zoning standards for Housing Projects and/or (b) redevelop the Single-Unit Residential (R1) zoned surface parking.
The attached Agreement Imposing Restrictions on Real Property (Exhibit C) for Council’s acceptance is consistent with this voluntary offer. Specifically, through the covenant, the property owner agrees that, for a period ten years after the effective date of the ordinance amending the Official Districting Map, the property owner, its successors, and assigns:
A. Shall not file an application for a Housing Project, as defined in Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 9.52.020.1125 (“Housing Project”), and/or shall not redevelop the Commercial Lot, or any portion thereof, as a Housing Project; and
B. Shall not file an application for a Housing Project and/or shall not redevelop the Parking Lot, or any portion thereof.
Staff recommends that Council first adopt a finding that the acceptance of the attached Agreement Imposing Restrictions on Real Property (Covenant) for the parcel located at 2644 30th Street is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) and the attached Covenant.
Subsequently, the City Council is recommended to, under a separate motion, proceed with adoption of the Ordinance that is being presented for consideration. 3 of 4
Environmental Review
The acceptance of the covenant is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the CEQA Guidelines, which states that CEQA does not apply where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the project may have a significant effect on the environment. Through the covenant, the property owner commits to restrictions on future development of the property for a period of ten years. No change in the physical environment would result from the covenant, because there would be no change to existing conditions on the parcel, and no development is proposed as part of accepting the covenant. Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the amendments may have a significant effect on the environment and accordingly, accepting the covenant is exempt from CEQA under Section 15061(b)(3).
On September 30, 2025, the amendments to the General Plan Land Use Map and Official Districting map were previously determined to be exempt from the CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the CEQA Guidelines.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the recommended action. Staff will return to Council if specific budget actions are required in the future.
Prepared By: Bradley Michaud, Legal Administrative Services Officer Approved Forwarded to Council
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Attachments:
A. ORD-30th Street Districting Map Amendments 2d
B. September 30, 2025 Staff Report (Web Link)
C. Deed Restriction 2644 30th
D. Written Comments