1 David Yakobson
From: Leslie Lambert <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2026 10:54 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Ross Fehrman; Jing Yeo; Shawn Landres
Subject: Item 13
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis and Councilmembers,
Commissioner Landres and I have been designated as the representatives of the Planning Commission for the purpose of relaying the Commission's recommendations for implementing Senate Bill 79 in Santa Monica. Since I am unable to attend your meeting tonight, I am submitting my comments in writing .
As stated in the City's 6th Cycle Housing Element, the Pico Neighborhood is the most vulnerable to displacement caused by rising housing costs. It is also the area with the highest proportion of lower income families and people of color. In recognition of this, the City has, for many years, designed its planning and zoning policies to protect Pico. That objective is still the policy of the Planning Commission and provides a basis for the Commission's recommendations for implementation of SB79. The Commission is concerned that full implementation of SB 79 on its July 1, 2026 effective date would raise serious fair housing issues because of its impact on the Pico Neighborhood.
The Commission is recommending that the City Council take the following actions to implement a "hybrid" approach to implementation of SB79. This is the approach being taken by the City of LA..Whether these actions are taken by ordinance, as LA did, or some other method should be discussed with staff and the City Attorney.
Implement Approach 2 for the area within the Expo/Bundy TOD area. This action would implement SB79 for sites that are not excluded by SB79 by making these sites eligible for SB79 development standards and additional concessions immediately and until the City adopts a TOD Alternative Plan that is approved by HCD. The rationale for this recommendation is the fact that the existing density allowed by current zoning falls far short of that which would result from implementation of SB79. It includes a portion of Sunset Park that is south and west of the intersection of PIco Boulevard and Centinela Avenue.
Implement Approach 3 by preparing a TOD Alternative Plan. This action would allow for a more nuanced approach to implementing SB79's development standards and density requirements by protecting the PIco Neighborhood and integrating the current up-zoning of the Expo Line-adjacent areas into housing and land use decision-making. It will also allow time to consider any potential changes that SCAG may make in the definition and boundaries of TOD areas. This approach and the Alternative Plan must be approved by HCD. Time is of the essence. From the standpoint of comprehensive planning and decision making and, given the limitations of staff resources, the Commission asks you to consider including the Plan in the 7th Cycle Housing Element. The time extension allowed would be completion by 2030.
Item 13-A
April 28, 2026
Item 13-A
April 28, 2026
2 Finally, The 6th Cycle Housing Element focused residential densification in areas adjacent or convenient to the three Expo Line Stations and major boulevards with Big Blue Bus or Metro bus routes. In a sense, Santa Monica has already implemented a TOD strategy that is consistent with the intent of SB79. The number of units that could be produced with current zoning closely approximates those that would result from full SB79 implementation.
Thank you for your consideration of this very important and time-sensitive matter.
Leslie Lambert, Planning Commissioner
Item 13-A
April 28, 2026
Item 13-A
April 28, 2026