Written Comments — Santa Monica City Council, September 8, 2026

1 David Yakobson
From: PNA90404 <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, September 4, 2026 8:45 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Lana Negrete; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya
Subject: Agenda Item 12. B

EXTERNAL
Dear City Mayor and councilors, 09/08/2026 city council meeting agenda item 12.b is a thinly veiled attack
on the last pocket of R1 housing in the 90404 zip, while leaving out the north of montana R1 housing you make a very loud statement to preserve the predominantly white housing untouched, and by excluding R2 and R3
housing that is protected by Rent Control and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

Mayor Torosis recently publicized "Santa Monica Has a proud progressive identity, but we also have a history we have
be honest about. This fellowship comes at a critical moment as we move from acknowledgement to action-using design and public investment to repair past harm and build a city where opportunity is real and lasting.

The Mayors United States Conference of Mayors and the Harvard Graduate School of Design statement.

SB 79 is not racist but you are using it to erase the largest pocket of people of color that exists in Santa Monica
Institutionalized racism is not OK. be honest about your actions.

Say no to SB 79 and Racism.

Sincerely Cris McLeod PNA Board member
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
2 Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
3 David Yakobson
From: elena estrin <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, September 4, 2026 6:59 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya; Aileen Reynolds; Oliver Chi Subject: Item 12-B: Upzoning of R1 Neighborhoods in the Pico Neighborhood

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis and Councilmembers,
I am writing as a Pico Neighborhood resident. I respectfully urge you to reject Option 1.

I support housing, and I understand the importance of planning for more homes near transit. But Option 1 is not a fair or thoughtful housing policy. It is a rushed decision that places a major zoning burden on one small residential area without adequate public process, displacement analysis, or consideration of the history and existing conditions of the Pico Neighborhood and surrounding community.

The City’s own ordinance states that the temporary SB 79 exclusion is intended to give Santa Monica time to make “more informed, long-term land use decisions” while a TOD Alternative Plan is completed. But Option 1 does the opposite. It makes a major land-use decision now, before that broader planning has occurred.

On July 28, 2026, the City Council directed staff to proceed with increasing development standards for R1 parcels in this specific area. Yet residents most affected by this decision were not given a meaningful opportunity to help shape the proposal before Council selected Option 1. The City held only one community meeting in late August after the direction had already been given. A public hearing after the fact is not the same as genuine community engagement.

This process feels especially troubling because the Pico Neighborhood has a long history of being harmed by planning decisions made without meaningful resident input. Over time, the area has also absorbed freeway pollution, rail infrastructure, industrial uses, wasterelated facilities, and zoning changes that benefited the broader city while concentrating impacts locally.

The proposed ordinance would increase development standards for R1 parcels in our neighborhood to help the Expo/Bundy TOD Zone qualify for temporary exclusion from SB

79. In practical terms, this could allow much more intensive development on parcels that are currently single-unit residential. That kind of change should not be imposed on residents through a rushed process.

Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
4 The City says these parcels were selected because they are close to the Expo/Bundy Station, have clear geographic boundaries, and may reduce displacement risk on multiunit parcels. But that explanation is not enough. Avoiding displacement in one area does not justify shifting development pressure to another area without knowing who lives there now.

Many impacted parcels may include renters in ADUs, shared housing, informal units, converted spaces, or non-rent-controlled homes. If the City does not have complete renter data, then it cannot honestly conclude that displacement risk is minimal. Lack of data should not be used as proof that vulnerable residents are not at risk.

I am also concerned that the City is concentrating the burden of SB 79 compliance on a small group of residents. Six of Santa Monica’s seven TOD zones already qualify for temporary exclusion. Expo/Bundy does not. Instead of taking the time to prepare a comprehensive and equitable TOD Alternative Plan, the City is asking our neighborhood to absorb the zoning changes needed to solve this technical problem. That is not equitable planning.

As a Pico resident, I feel that our neighborhood is being treated as a convenient solution rather than as a community of real people. We deserve more than one meeting after the Council has already chosen a direction. We deserve direct engagement from our elected officials, including the Mayor. Residents have requested meetings regarding the City’s selection of Option 1, and those concerns should be taken seriously before any final vote.

I respectfully ask the City Council to:

1. Reject Option 1 as currently proposed;

2. Conduct additional public hearings and neighborhood meetings before selecting any alternative;

3. Identify the minimum number of parcels necessary to meet SB 79 exclusion requirements;

4. Study displacement risks for renters, ADU residents, seniors, disabled residents, and low-income households;

5. Evaluate cumulative environmental and public health burdens in the affected area; and

6. Complete a broader TOD Alternative Plan before making lasting zoning changes to one neighborhood.

Santa Monica can support housing without repeating historic patterns of inequity. The City should not use SB 79 as a reason to rush through a zoning change that disproportionately affects residents in and around Pico.

Please reject Option 1 and start over with a fair, transparent, and community-centered process.

Sincerely,
Elena Estrin
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
5 Pico Neighborhood Resident
Santa Monica, CA
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
6 David Yakobson
From: TARYN FORDES <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 6:07 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Taryn Watanabe Fordes
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
7 David Yakobson
From: Michael Ishler <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 6:08 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Mike Ishler
Sent from my iPhone
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
8 David Yakobson
From: Lisa Test, OTD, OTR/L <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 6:24 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12 B Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely
Lisa A Test
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
9 David Yakobson
From: Dalila Fuentes <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 6:37 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Dalila Fuentes
Sunset Park Resident - 34+ yrs
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
10 David Yakobson
From: Holly Silvers <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 7:18 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Holly Granelli
Sent from my iPhone
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
11 David Yakobson
From: steve kandell <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 7:32 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
steve kandell
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
12 David Yakobson
From: elena estrin <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 7:32 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Elena Estrin
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
13 David Yakobson
From: Susan Shapiro <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 7:38 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Susan Shapiro
Get Outlook for iOS
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
14 David Yakobson
From: Allyson Dworkin <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 7:38 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Allyson Dworkin
Sent from my iPhone
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
15 David Yakobson
From: Dan Halperin <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 7:48 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi, I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B - - Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station. This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood. Already, single-family homes in the area valued at about $1.5 million are being replaced with 5 townhomes, each costing about $1.5 million, but with limited parking and no yard space. This benefits developers but does nothing for affordable housing. R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement. I urge you to rethink this plan. Sincerely, Dan Halperin
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
16 David Yakobson
From: MELISSA FEINBERG <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 7:49 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Melissa Feinberg
Sent from my iPhone
Melissa Feinberg

PROPERTY MASTER
[email protected]
(818) 612-1654
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
17 David Yakobson
From: Geraldine Kennedy <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 7:50 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Geraldine Kennedy
Former Planning Commissioner
Sent from my iPad
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
18 David Yakobson
From: nancykless <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 7:57 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Nancy Kless
Sent from my Galaxy
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
19 David Yakobson
From: TAMRA RAVEN <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 8:20 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Tamra
Sent from my iPhone
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
20 David Yakobson
From: Faustino Garza <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 8:30 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Faustino Garza
Sunset Park
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
21 David Yakobson
From: Lynn Gephart <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 8:31 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Lynn Gephar
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
22 David Yakobson
From: Jenny Monbouquette <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 8:59 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

YOU PEOPLE ARE CRAZY!!!
I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Jenny Monbouquette
Jenny Monbouquette
(310)266-3665
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
23 David Yakobson
From: janet rt <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 9:13 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Janet Tunick
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
24 David Yakobson
From: mwdobbs <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 9:17 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Michael Dobbs.

Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
25 David Yakobson
From: Jenny Blum <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 9:20 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Blum
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
26 David Yakobson
From: Alex Novakovich <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 9:22 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Alex Novakovich
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
27 David Yakobson
From: pierre-yves delaunay <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 10:07 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Pierre Delaunay
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
28 David Yakobson
From: Ken Abbott <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 10:26 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Kenneth S Abbott
213-923-5270
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
29 David Yakobson
From: Carolyn Hanlin <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 10:39 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Carolyn Hanlin
Santa Monica Resident
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
30 David Yakobson
From: Gail Block <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 11:49 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Gail Block
1225 Marine St.

Sent from my iPhone
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
31 David Yakobson
From: Hilary Galanoy <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 12:00 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Hilary Galanoy
2636 32nd Street
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
32 David Yakobson
From: marilyn elias <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 12:18 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Marilyn Elias
900 Euclid, #210
Santa Monica. 90403
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
33 David Yakobson
From: Mayra Herrera <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 12:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

Why do I constantly along many of my neighbors have to ask you to stop allowing multifamily building in my home area? If I wanted to live next to a multifamily property I could have bought one 40 years a go for a lot less money, but no I chose to live in an area with single family houses not next to buildings or duplexes or triplexes.

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Mayra Herrera
Sent from my iPhone
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
34 David Yakobson
From: Paula Mazur <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 12:59 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

Sometimes good intentions leads to questionable outcomes. It feels like that is what is happening with the housing mandates right now, and it doesn’t feel like a nuanced approach that benefits anyone but the developers and hurts existing neighborhoods in the process.

That is why I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B.

This a real neighborhood with people who are renting or have worked hard to buy these homes. It will rip apart the quiet streets, make them an ongoing construction zone.

Already, single-family homes in the area valued at about $1.5 million are being replaced with 5 townhomes, each costing about $1.5 million, but with limited parking and no yard space. This benefits developers but does nothing for affordable housing. R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

PLEASE rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Paula Mazur
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
35 David Yakobson
From: Amanda O'Brien <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 1:09 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

We worked hard to live in a single-family home neighborhood and city council has no right to take that away from us.

I urge you to stop this plan.

Sincerely,
Amanda OBrien
Owner 1744 Bryn Mawr Ave Santa Monica 90405
Sent from my iPhone
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
36 David Yakobson
From: Sandy Laderas <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 1:09 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Opposed

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Sandra Laderas
Sent from Gmail Mobile
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
37 David Yakobson
From: Jeanette Schachtner <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 1:33 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood. Already, single-family homes in the area valued at about $1.5 million are being replaced with 5 townhomes, each costing about $1.5 million, but with limited parking and no yard space. This benefits developers but does nothing for affordable housing. R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement. I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Jeanette Schachtner
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
38 David Yakobson
From: yoko roach <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 1:40 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
(YOUR NAME)Yoko
And John roach
Sent from my iPhone
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
39 David Yakobson
From: Karen Fisher <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 1:40 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Karen M. Fisher
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
40 David Yakobson
From: Dannie Charney <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 1:41 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Danielle Charney
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
41 David Yakobson
From: Britt Johansson <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 2:08 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Britt Johansson
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
42 David Yakobson
From: Sherri Sawaya <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 2:33 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely, Sherri Sawaya
Sent from my iPhone
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
43 David Yakobson
From: Linda Mansolillo <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 2:35 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Linda
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
44 David Yakobson
From: Sunshine Action USA <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 2:39 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Monica Bhardwaj
Email is [email protected])
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
45 David Yakobson
From: Mary <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 3:06 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Mary Hubbell
Sent from my iPad
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
46 David Yakobson
From: JORDAN ELLIS <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 3:08 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Jordan Ellis
Sunset Park resident
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
47 David Yakobson
From: rosindabow <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 4:42 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I strongly oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood. Why? Why always this neighborhood?

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

This is an absolutely terrible idea and I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Ross Levinson
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
48 David Yakobson
From: Marcy Ross <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 5:42 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Marcy Ross
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
49 David Yakobson
From: Cheryl Downey <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 6:25 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely, Cheryl Downey
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
50 David Yakobson
From: Georgia Jessup <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 6:35 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan. Santa Monica is already in trouble due to all the developers, this is going to make things worse. Don't add to it!! Just say NO! Sincerely,
Georgia Jessup
2101 Marine St, SM
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
51 David Yakobson
From: Georgia Jessup <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 6:36 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan. Santa Monica is already in trouble because of all the development/developers, don't add to the problems. Just say NO! Sincerely,
Georgia Jessup
2101 Marine St, SM
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
52 David Yakobson
From: Georgia Jessup <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 6:38 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan. Developers are already causing so much ugliness in SM, don't add to it. Just say NO!
Sincerely,
Georgia Jessup
2101 Marine St, SM
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
53 David Yakobson
From: Georgia Jessup <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 6:39 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan. Santa Monica is being ruined from the developers, don't add to it with these decisions. Just say NO!
Sincerely,
Georgia Jessup
2101 Marine, SM
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
54 David Yakobson
From: Georgia Jessup <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 6:42 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan. Santa Monica is being ruined by developers, don't add to it with this vote. Just say NO!
Sincerely,
Georgia Jessup
2101 Marine St, SM
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
55 David Yakobson
From: Georgia Jessup <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 6:43 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan. Santa Monica is being ruined by developers, don't add to it with this decision. Just say NO!
Sincerely,
Georgia Jessup
2101 Marine ST, SM
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
56 David Yakobson
From: Georgia Jessup <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 6:44 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan. SAnta Monica is already being ruined by developers, don't add to the ruination. Just say NO!
Sincerely,
Georgia Jessup
2101 Marine ST, SM
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
57 David Yakobson
From: Georgia Jessup <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 6:45 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan. SAnta Monica is already being ruined by the developers, don't add to it. Just say NO!
Sincerely,
Georgia Jessup
2101 Marine St, SM
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
58 David Yakobson
From: Brian Lanich <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 6, 2026 6:20 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Brian Lanich
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
59 David Yakobson
From: Rita Ravindra <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 6, 2026 6:49 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Rita Ravindra
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
60 David Yakobson
From: Gail Gordon <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 6, 2026 8:45 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Our loss is and has come at families expenses. There is no guarantee that is move will bring in more families to our neighborhood. It definitely with create more density. Which means more water and more electricity needed.

Also, here’s the rub, more cars, five times more cars.

Why not create a townhouse park instead of those terrible 8 story high rises? We have a delightful one on 27th and Pearl, which has been successful for decades. I gray that has been studied.

We are your constituents You do not listen to us or your staff.

The rouse of “Abundant Housing” begun and continuing under Big Developers, began with Scott Weiner and is pocketed by Bug Housing.

Please do not ruin what’s left of our neighborhoods The pollution created from the additional cars, demo and construction particulates, not to mention the emotional distress you are creating from jamming us into a smaller space seems to mean nothing to you.

Try asking the residents what they want. We are already over built with a high vacancy rate in these new buildings Mom and Pops can barely survive to increased water, trash and electrical costs.

Please use your better judgement listen to your constituents.

Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Gail Gordon
For me and final Chair of Housing Commission.

Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
61 Sent from my iPhone
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
62 David Yakobson
From: Karen Comegys-Wortz <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 6, 2026 10:01 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

Why would you agree to this? It is unfair to the whole neighborhood which has been there much longer than any of you have been in office!

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

Treat homeowners with the same respect.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
(YOUR NAME)
Sent from my iPhone
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
63 David Yakobson
From: Norma Maister <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 6, 2026 10:07 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Norma Maister
Sent from my iPhone
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
64 David Yakobson
From: Maury Pearl <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 6, 2026 10:41 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan and adopt policies which destroy neighborhoods.

Sincerely,
Maury Pearl
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
65 David Yakobson
From: MICHAEL OSMENT <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 6, 2026 11:43 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi, We must not allow Santa Monica to turn into Manhattan Beach, with the over development of our neighborhood!

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely, a Santa Monica voter
Michael Osment

MICHAEL OSMENT
Osment Productions & Photography
[email protected]
310-291-1272
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
66 David Yakobson
From: Elaine Becker <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 6, 2026 6:28 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi, I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B - - Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station. This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood. Already, single-family homes in the area valued at about $1.5 million are being replaced with 5 townhomes, each costing about $1.5 million, but with limited parking and no yard space. This benefits developers but does nothing for affordable housing. R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement. I urge you to rethink this plan. Sincerely, (YOUR NAME)
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
67 David Yakobson
From: Elaine Becker <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 6, 2026 6:29 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi, I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B - - Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station. This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood. Already, single-family homes in the area valued at about $1.5 million are being replaced with 5 townhomes, each costing about $1.5 million, but with limited parking and no yard space. This benefits developers but does nothing for affordable housing. R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement. I urge you to rethink this plan. Sincerely, Elaine Becker
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
68 David Yakobson
From: Jeanne Laurie <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 6, 2026 9:19 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Jeanne Laurie
Sunset Park
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
69 David Yakobson
From: Caroline Denyer <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 9:04 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Caroline Denyer
Sent from my iPhone
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Karen Melick <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 3:59 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Oliver Chi; Heidi von Tongeln Subject: Item 12B Upzoning Pico Neighborhood

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi, I strongly oppose the upzoning of the R1 area in the Pico Neighborhood for SB79. This area has some of the most affordable single-family homes in the City. I bought my first home in the Pico Neighborhood. Now these lower-cost homes will be replaced with higher-cost units. So much for the Council being concerned about housing affordability.

With all of the zoning changes, single-family homes are being eliminated in the City, making the City less conducive to families living here. The lower-value homes, such as those in this area proposed for upzoning, are at the greatest risk.

It's infuriating that the Council ignored the City Staff, Planning Committee's, and citizens' recommendations that the R2/R3 areas be upzoned instead of the R1 area.

The assumption that fewer people might be displaced had no data to verify that assumption. It was explained that the R2/R3 properties had a much lower likelihood of being redeveloped than the single-family homes.

Please listen to the experts and the community and change this plan to upzone the R2/R3 area instead.

Thank you.

Karen Melick
Sunset Park
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Cj Smith <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 6, 2026 11:02 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya; Aileen Reynolds; Oliver Chi; councilmtgitems; Dan Hall
Subject: A Letter From A Delaware Resident About Rejecting the Upzoning of Our Neighborhood 12-B

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis and Councilmembers,
My name is Clifton Smith Jr., and I am asking you to reject Option 1 and the proposed upzoning of our neighborhood.

Santa Monica has been my family’s home for generations. My grandparents are from here. My grandmother and her family were displaced by the construction and extension of the 10 Freeway. After she married my grandfather, they settled at 2850 Delaware Avenue. I grew up at 2907 Delaware Avenue, and today I live at 2914 Delaware Avenue with my wife and our four-month-old daughter. This neighborhood is quite literally the only home I have ever known.

Growing up, this neighborhood was a mix of Black, Mexican, and Japanese families. I was one of the kids outside playing football in the street with my friends. Kids could play, neighbors knew each other, and it felt like a real community. To me, this neighborhood is one of the last pockets of what Santa Monica used to feel like.

I worry that the density being proposed will fundamentally change that. More large apartment buildings mean significantly more cars, traffic, and demand for parking on these small residential streets. I don’t want a future where the kids growing up here, including my daughter, can’t experience the neighborhood the way I did because our streets have become too congested for them to safely play outside.

Many of the Black families I grew up around have already been pushed out over the years, but a significant number remain, including elderly longtime homeowners who cannot easily attend City Council meetings. I have spoken with many of my neighbors, and there is a real fear that this upzoning will create development pressure that ultimately forces more longtime families to sell and leave.

My family has already experienced what happens when major planning decisions displace an established community. I do not want to watch another generation experience it again.

This is also deeply personal for my family today. Our home is one house away from the proposed apartment development. A large building would directly overlook our backyard and our four-month-old daughter’s room, fundamentally changing the privacy and character of our home.

And what are we sacrificing this neighborhood for? The proposed development would be high-priced luxury apartments, not housing that the longtime residents of this community can afford. The developer Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
2 is based in Florida and does not have the generational connection or long-term stake in this neighborhood that the families who live here do.

I support creating more housing in Santa Monica. But we should not accomplish that by placing the burden on a historically diverse neighborhood that has already experienced displacement and decades of major infrastructure and planning decisions imposed upon it.

My grandmother’s family was displaced here once before. My family has spent generations building a life on Delaware Avenue since then. I grew up playing in these streets, and I hope my daughter has the opportunity to grow up doing the same.

Please reject Option 1.

Sincerely,
Clifton “CJ” Smith Jr.
2914 Delaware Avenue
Santa Monica, CA
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Robert Dean <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 6, 2026 9:19 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Robert Dean
28th Street, Santa Monica
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Estelle G. Mednick <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 7:44 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi, I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Betty Mednick
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Santa Monica Forward <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 2:27 PM
To: Caroline Torosis; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Ellis Raskin; Jesse Zwick; Natalya Zernitskaya; Lana Negrete; councilmtgitems
Subject: 10.A - Support ATES
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
Mayor and Councilmembers,
Please support item 10.A, establishing the Automated Traffic Enforcement System (ATES) Program.

Sincerely,
Sam Shapiro-Kline and Brad Ewing
Co-Chairs, Santa Monica Forward
--
We are working for a diverse, progressive, sustainable and equitable Santa Monica.

SantaMonicaForward.org
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
2 David Yakobson
From: oesr <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 6:06 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station. They are already building massive housing on Bundy near the Expo line.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Jane Dempsey
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
3 David Yakobson
From: LINDA KNAB <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 4:54 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Linda Reinbold
Sent from my iPhone
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
4 David Yakobson
From: info <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 7:05 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; [email protected]; Barry Snell; Dan Hall Cc: Jing Yeo; Ross Fehrman; Oliver Chi
Subject: Item 12-B - Please Do Not Make the Gandara Park Neighborhood Carry This Burden

EXTERNAL
Mayor Torosis and Members of the City Council,
I have spent a lot of time thinking about what I wanted to say to you about Item 12-B, because for me this is about much more than zoning.

It is personal.

I have been in public service for almost 30 years. When I first moved to Santa Monica, I could not understand why so many of my neighbors in Pico, particularly in the Gandara Park area, felt abandoned and invisible to their City government.

That was not the public service I knew.

In the city where I worked, when residents came before their City Council, they were treated with respect, empathy, and responsiveness. Their concerns mattered. Their government understood that it existed to serve them.

Then, more than 25 years ago, I began having to advocate for my own neighborhood in Santa Monica.

I was stunned.

I would attend Council meetings and watch residents stand at the podium sharing deeply personal concerns while Councilmembers would not even look up at them. The arrogance and indifference were palpable. It was unlike anything I had experienced in my professional life.

Over time, I began hearing about the connections between certain groups, organizations, and City Hall. I learned that if you wanted to be heard, it seemed you needed to be connected.

I wasn't.

I was a nobody.

I was simply someone who loved her neighborhood, believed deeply in public service, and had learned throughout her life that sometimes, if you want something to change, you must be willing to fight for it.

Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
5 So I did.

Years later, when I had the extraordinary privilege of serving on this City Council myself, I never forgot those experiences.

I advocated repeatedly for the Pico Neighborhood and especially for the Gandara Park area because I knew what it felt like to sit on the other side of that dais and believe no one was listening.

I knew the history.

I knew how many residents believed that their neighborhood had carried burdens other parts of Santa Monica had not.

And I knew that feeling hadn't developed over one Council or one controversial decision. It had developed over decades.

That is why Item 12-B is so difficult for me to accept.

Once again, this small neighborhood is being asked to carry a burden for the benefit of a much larger area.

Page 6 ends

By increasing development standards on these 89 R1 parcels, the City can bring the Expo/Bundy TOD Zone to approximately 42.7% and thereby obtain a temporary SB 79 exclusion for the entire Expo/Bundy TOD Zone until approximately 2030.

I want that SB 79 window closed.

My neighbors want that window closed.

But I struggle with the inequity of how the City has chosen to accomplish it.

The entire Expo/Bundy TOD Zone receives the benefit of temporary protection from SB 79. Yet these 89 properties are being asked to provide the additional housing capacity necessary to help make that protection possible, and they will do so through an increase in their local zoning.

And these aren't just 89 parcels on a map.

They are people's homes.

They include renters. They include renters who run family daycares out of their homes. They are at risk of not only losing their homes but their livelihood too. They include longtime homeowners. They include multigenerational families. They are part of a neighborhood that has already experienced the freeway, industrial uses, environmental burdens, and decades of land-use decisions that were too often made without us.

Council previously expressed concern about displacement when considering increased density on R2 and R3 properties. I understand that concern.

Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
6 What I cannot understand is why that same concern did not result in an equally serious examination of displacement and redevelopment pressure here.

We have shown you that renters live in this neighborhood. One in five homes in our neighborhood are rentals.

We have shown you what is already happening on Delaware Avenue.

We have asked about infrastructure, demolition, displacement, environmental justice, and cumulative impacts.

And now the staff report tells us something else that should give this Council pause: this isn't even the City's comprehensive long-term plan.

Staff expressly says this temporary exclusion is intended to give the City time to evaluate future housing needs and develop a more comprehensive approach through the 7th Cycle Housing Element, a future LUCE update, or a TOD Alternative Plan.

Then please use that time.

If this is a temporary solution intended to close the SB 79 window while the City undertakes comprehensive planning, then the increased zoning imposed on these 89 parcels should be temporary as well.

Do not make a lasting land-use decision for this neighborhood today and promise to conduct the comprehensive planning tomorrow.

After more than 25 years of advocating for this neighborhood, and after having had the privilege of sitting where you sit today, I know that government can do better than simply telling a neighborhood that this is the solution that has been selected.

Public service requires us to ask who benefits from a decision, who carries its burden, and whether we have treated those people equitably.

With Item 12-B, the entire Expo/Bundy TOD Zone stands to benefit from the temporary exclusion.

But these 89 properties are being asked to help carry the burden necessary to obtain it.

Please don't make the Gandara Park neighborhood fight, once again, simply to be seen.

Close the SB 79 window. Protect Expo/Bundy.

But protect us too.

Respectfully,
Christine Parra
Former Santa Monica City Councilmember
Pico Neighborhood Resident
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
7 David Yakobson
From: Nancy Hicks <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 7:44 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Nancy & Wes Hicks
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
8 David Yakobson
From: Mary Donovan <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 7:46 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
(Mary donovanYOUR NAME)
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
9 David Yakobson
From: Wray-Lake, Laura <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 7:50 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Caroline Torosis; Barry Snell; Dan Hall; [email protected]; Jesse Zwick
Subject: Item 12-B: A different decision is urgently warranted

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis and Santa Monica City Council:

I am writing regarding Item 12-B on the September 8 City Council agenda and the proposed zoning changes affecting 89 R1 parcels in the Pico neighborhood near the Expo/Bundy station.

I strongly urge you to reconsider this zoning change by more carefully considering the full range of evidence. You went against the recommendations of the Planning Commission (experts in the field!), based on a logic that you wanted to (a) minimize displacement risk and (b) minimize the impact on residents.

What evidence do you have that displacement risk is lower among R1 property holders? When you interact with members of this community, you will realize that many families are working-class, first-generation homeowners, or intergenerational homeowners who otherwise could not afford a home in Santa Monica. Have you conducted an equity analysis to ensure that this decision doesn’t disproportionately impact certain groups of residents in Santa Monica? If so, the public never saw this information. I believe the council too quickly disregarded this neighborhood’s circumstances in assuming displacement risk is low or even that it would be fully voluntary when speculative development ramps up.

You did not choose a rezoning plan that actually minimizes the impact on residents. In reading the Planning Commission’s report, I was surprised to learn that a clear option exists to minimize the short-term impact of upzoning in our TOD zone. Specifically, Policy Option 1 (p. 16-17) includes the Los Angeles data in the calculations of exclusion criteria and represents the minimum amount of upzoning that would be required in Santa Monica. LA makes up 75% of the TOD zone, and with LA’s data, the zone only misses the density requirement for exemption by 2%. It is absolutely baffling that a joint submission with LA was not pursued. If you truly want to minimize the impact this upzoning over the next few years, you must take this option seriously and pursue it as Plan A. Moreover, the data show that the Council’s proposed solution with the 89 parcels upzones more parcels than are needed to meet the minimum density requirements – that clearly does not align with the stated logic of minimizing the impact on the fewest number of residents.

What other data did you examine before deciding to upzone the 89 R1 parcels? Have you conducted an environmental analysis? Delaware Avenue has one of the most mature tree canopies in all of Santa Monica, and it would be a short-sighted travesty to lose this environmental resource in the name of new development. Have you conducted an analysis to ensure that the water and sewer in this area can handle the upzoning? When evidence has not yet been examined and viable solutions not yet fully considered, it would be prudent for the Council to pause and reexamine the situation more fully. We all realize that some upzoning action needs to be taken by the City, in accordance with SB 79. And we all realize that Santa Monica needs more housing, especially affordable housing. But all development is not good development. I urge you not to make a hasty, irreversible decision that disproportionately affects one small neighborhood when there are other solutions on the table.

Please do not adopt the Ordinance and instead reconsider more minimal impact solutions to securing the temporary exemption offered by the Planning Commission.

Thank you,
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
10 Laura Wray-Lake
1816 34th St.

Santa Monica, CA 90404

Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
11 David Yakobson
From: sarah aldrich <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 8:20 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Item 12-B Upzoning - Oppose

EXTERNAL
SUBJECT: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi, I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Sarah Aldrich
[email protected]
310-999-1258
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
12 David Yakobson
From: Tricia Crane <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 9:37 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; Oliver Chi Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose the destruction of a single-family neighborhood and pursue an alternative

EXTERNAL
To: Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi From: Tricia Crane, Chair of Northeast Neighbors
Re: OPPOSE Agenda Item 12-B, Council meeting of Sept. 8, 2026

I oppose the destruction of the small single-family neighborhood in the Pico neighborhood that has been targeted by the City as a means of implementing SB79 development standards for properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

If Council approves Agenda Item 12-B we can expect the single-family homes in that area to be demolished and replaced with 5 townhomes. Would our goals of creating affordable housing be served by such action? Where will the displaced families live? Do we really want to see the destruction of a small neighborhood? Is there no alternative? Instead of displacing these Santa Monica families, the City should pursue mitigation strategies.

Please vote NO on Agenda Item 12-B and direct staff to pursue and present an alternative plan.

Sincerely,
Tricia Crane, Chair of Northeast Neighbors

Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
13 David Yakobson
From: amit bhura <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 10:15 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Caroline Torosis; Barry Snell; Dan Hall; [email protected]; Jesse Zwick
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Item 12-B - Do Not Place the Burden of the Expo/Bundy SB 79 Exclusion on 89 R1 Parcels

EXTERNAL
Mayor Torosis and Members of the Santa Monica City Council, I’m writing to express my concerns about Item 12-B on the September 8 City Council agenda, which involves proposed zoning changes affecting 89 R1 parcels in the Pico neighborhood near the Expo/Bundy station.

While I support protecting our neighborhood and the entire Expo/Bundy TOD Zone from SB 79, I’m deeply concerned that the City’s proposed solution is to increase the local zoning on these 89 parcels.

Page 6 ends

parcels would enable the entire Expo/Bundy TOD Zone to qualify for temporary exclusion from SB 79 until around 2030.

In essence, these 89 properties are being asked to accept additional housing capacity so that the entire TOD zone can benefit from the exclusion.

This raises several serious questions that should be addressed before the Council adopts this ordinance:
 Why should these 89 R1 parcels bear the additional development burden necessary to provide SB 79 protection to the entire Expo/Bundy TOD Zone?
 The staff states that the proposal would increase the qualifying percentage to approximately

42.7%. If the statutory threshold is 33%, has the City demonstrated that all 89 parcels are essential to meet the applicable exclusion requirements?  Why was displacement risk considered a reason not to place additional density on R2/R3 properties, while the City has not conducted an equivalent analysis of renters, multigenerational households, and displacement risk within these R1 parcels?  What analysis has been performed regarding redevelopment pressure, demolition of existing homes, infrastructure capacity, and the cumulative impacts on this neighborhood?  If the primary goal of this zoning increase is to secure a temporary SB 79 exclusion, will the increased zoning on these 89 parcels also expire when that exclusion ends? If not, why not? The staff report itself explains that this temporary exclusion will provide the City with the necessary time to assess future housing needs and develop a more comprehensive approach. This can be achieved through the 7th Cycle Housing Element, a future LUCE update, or a TOD Alternative Plan.

Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
14 If the City has not yet completed this comprehensive planning, it should refrain from making a permanent zoning decision affecting these 89 properties. This decision should only be made after demonstrating that the burden has been fairly distributed and supported by adequate analysis.

I respectfully request that the Council modify Item 12-B. Specifically, I would like to see any zoning increase imposed on these 89 parcels be temporary and contingent upon the SB 79 exclusion.

Additionally, the Council should require that the permanent distribution of housing capacity be addressed through the City’s comprehensive planning process. This process should involve meaningful community participation and an analysis of potential displacement, infrastructure, environmental justice, and redevelopment impacts.

Thank you for including this correspondence in the public record for Item 12-B.

Sincerely,
AmitKumar Bhura
2900 Blk Yorkshire/Virginia
Santa Monica, CA
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
15 David Yakobson
From: Danny Guggenheim <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 10:40 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

Sincerely,
Danny Guggenheim
Sunset Park resident since 2006
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
16 David Yakobson
From: Karrie <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 11:34 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Karrie Dvorchak
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Marc Verville <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 7:54 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office; Oliver Chi Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station. This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

In the staff report, the City is admitting that SB79 will displace residents. And the City is making the value judgement that single family neighborhoods are of lesser value that multi-family neighborhoods when displacement is at issue. That is despite the fact that R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

In addition to this discrimination against a specific class of resident, the unsupportable, and frankly incompetent, rationale for approval of this rushed approval appears to pivot entirely on the City’s unwillingness to do the work to find mitigating strategies. So, the immediate imposition of this single family neighborhood displacement risk is supposedly justified by:
 Lack of HCD response to date on an April 24, 2026 City request for technical assistance on the issue of how to calculate capacity criteria for TOD zones that span multiple jurisdictions under SB79
 Concern about the theoretical risk of fines and penalties from City miscalculation of the number of parcels under SB79 the multi-jurisdictional application of SB79  Conjecture about whether the City will receive timely notice of any action by HCD to certify or reject an ordinance submitted by the City of Los Angeles.

All of these patently pathetic excuses relate to the City refusing to hold the State accountable for its own legislation implementation. This is the City’s job as the representative of the residents. Abdication of this core responsibility is not only embarrassing, it is patently absurd.

And, like all the densification that is occurring across the city, this action is doing absolutely NOTHING to advance affordability. In fact, let’s not forget that “affordability” is the nominal justification for all the densification initiatives. The fact that all these initiatives are achieving the Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
2 opposite impact speaks directly to their abject failure. In this instance, single-family homes in the area valued at about $1.5 million are being replaced with 5 townhomes, each costing about $1.5 million. And that $1.5m townhome comes with limited parking and no yard space, creating a compounding degradation of the quality of life for the entire area. Of course, the only beneficiaries are the developers who have somehow have anticipated the passage of this ordinance.

I strongly urge you to rethink this plan.

Respectfully,
Marc Verville
Sunset Park
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: lori brown <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 10:09 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Attorney Mailbox; Oliver Chi Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Lori brown
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
2 David Yakobson
From: Jose Parra <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 8:58 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Caroline Torosis; Barry Snell; Dan Hall; [email protected]; Jesse Zwick
Subject: Item 12-B - SB 79 Exclusion on 89 R1 Parcels

EXTERNAL
I am writing regarding Item 12-B on the September 8 City Council agenda and the proposed zoning changes affecting 89 R1 parcels in the Pico neighborhood near the Expo/Bundy station.

I support protecting our neighborhood and the entire Expo/Bundy TOD Zone from SB 79. However, I am deeply concerned that the City proposes to accomplish that protection by increasing the local zoning on these 89 R1 parcels.

Page 6 ends

parcels would allow the entire Expo/Bundy TOD Zone to qualify for temporary exclusion from SB 79 until approximately 2030.

In other words, these 89 properties are being asked to accept additional housing capacity so that the entire TOD zone can receive the benefit of the exclusion.

If the statutory threshold is 33%, has the City demonstrated that all 89 parcels are necessary to satisfy the applicable exclusion requirements?
 Why was displacement risk considered a reason not to place additional density on R2/R3 properties, while the City has not performed an equivalent analysis of renters, multigenerational households and displacement risk within these R1 parcels?  What analysis has been performed regarding redevelopment pressure, demolition of existing homes, infrastructure capacity and cumulative impacts on this neighborhood?  If the purpose of this zoning increase is to obtain a temporary SB 79 exclusion, will the increased zoning on these 89 parcels also sunset when that exclusion expires? If not, why not? The staff report itself states that this temporary exclusion will give the City time to evaluate future housing needs and develop a more comprehensive approach through the 7th Cycle Housing Element, a future LUCE update, or a TOD Alternative Plan.

If that comprehensive planning has not yet occurred, the City should not make a lasting zoning decision affecting these 89 properties without first demonstrating that the burden has been distributed fairly and supported by adequate analysis.

Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
3 Please close the SB 79 window for Expo/Bundy, but do not permanently place the cost of obtaining that protection on one small neighborhood.

I respectfully ask the Council to modify Item 12-B so that any zoning increase imposed on these 89 parcels is temporary and tied to the SB 79 exclusion, and to require that the permanent distribution of housing capacity be addressed through the City's comprehensive planning process with meaningful community participation and an analysis of displacement, infrastructure, environmental justice and redevelopment impacts.

Thank you for including this correspondence in the public record for Item 12-B. --
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
4 David Yakobson
From: Kelli <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 8:04 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Council Mailbox
Subject: oppose sb79 option 1

EXTERNAL
I strongly oppose up zoning R1 and support option 3, which the city planning recommends Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Nathaniel Wilson <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 8:18 AM
To: Lana Negrete; Dan Hall; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; [email protected]; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Oliver Chi; Jing Yeo; Ross Fehrman Cc: councilmtgitems
Subject: RE: September 8 City Council Meeting — Bergamot / Bundy TOD neighborhood plan.

Attachments: SB79_September_8_Neighbor_Questions.docx
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

EXTERNAL
City of Santa Monica Mayor and City Council,
SEPTEMBER 8 CITY COUNCIL - ITEM 12-B
REQUEST: Continue Item 12-B. Do the work required ASAP to recover from previous inaction.

1. BE PROACTIVE REGARDING PENDING SB LEGISLATION. SB 677 is on the ballot in November it will “Improve” SB 9 and SB 423 to provide additional tools for developers to assault our Bergamot / Bundy TOD neighborhood. Make a comprehensive plan for Bergamot Station and the entire neighborhood from Stewart Park to Centinela Avenue to address SB 79 and all similar pending legislation.

2. SHOW US THE FISCAL / REDEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS
Council rejected the Planning Commission's R2/R3 approach because of potential renter displacement and chose 89 R1 parcels instead. Where is the analysis comparing the real-world feasibility of redeveloping protected R2/R3 rental properties versus R1 properties? Did it account for rent control, replacement housing, relocation obligations, affordable-housing protections, acquisition costs and the relative ease of purchasing and redeveloping a single-family property? R-1 Owners have invested their savings and sweat equity in renovations and Accessory Dwelling Units so that they can remain in the neighborhood with their extended families. The R/2 and R/3 Buildings along Exposition need to be rebuilt with modern amenities and universal access. Increasing the height limit on these parcels to 3 stories will encourage redevelopment.

3. SHOW US THE ENVIRONMENTAL-JUSTICE ANALYSIS
Before shifting additional development capacity to this historically impacted portion of the Pico Neighborhood, what racial-equity and environmental-justice analysis did the City conduct? Did it consider the cumulative impacts of the I-10 freeway, historic displacement, the Expo Line the Expo Maintenance Yard and other government land-use decisions affecting this community?

4. IS THIS A PERMANENT UPZONING FOR A TEMPORARY EXCLUSION? The City says increasing standards on these 89 R1 parcels would allow the Expo/Bundy TOD Zone to be excluded from SB 79 implementation until 2030. Where in the proposed ordinance do the increased R1 standards automatically sunset? If they do not sunset, why should our neighborhood receive a Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
2 permanent zoning change in exchange for a temporary SB 79 exclusion? Provide a long term plan that includes Bergamot Station Area Plan.

5. BERGAMOT STATION AREA PLAN. Provide for an Overlay Zone that allows 6 stories of residential above 2 stories of Retail / Gallery space. An 8 story building at this location will not impact the neighborhood and there is excess parking across the street at the Water Garden.

WHERE IS THE INFRASTRUCTURE / CUMULATIVE-IMPACT ANALYSIS? What analysis has been completed regarding sewer, water, electrical capacity, stormwater, emergency access and the cumulative development potential created by SB 79, SB 1123, Density Bonus Law and this local zoning increase together? Engage the expertise at the City Public Works and OSE to provide sustainable building solutions. Don’t allow cheap developers to profit and leave expensive future upgrades for remaining home owners.

Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
SEPTEMBER 8 CITY COUNCIL - ITEM 12-B
Questions Before Council Changes the Zoning of 89 R1 Parcels REQUEST: Continue Item 12-B. Do the work required ASAP to recover from previous inaction.

4. IS THIS A PERMANENT UPZONING FOR A TEMPORARY EXCLUSION? The City says increasing standards on these 89 R1 parcels would allow the Expo/Bundy TOD Zone to be excluded from SB 79 implementation until 2030. Where in the proposed ordinance do the increased R1 standards automatically sunset? If they do not sunset, why should our neighborhood receive a permanent zoning change in exchange for a temporary SB 79 exclusion? Provide a long term plan that includes Bergamot Station Area Plan.

5. WHY MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT THE ANSWERS?
Residents asked these questions directly at the City's SB 79 community meeting, but the requested analyses were not provided. If these analyses do not exist, why should Council change our zoning before completing the due diligence needed to understand the consequences?? Santa Monica City Hall - Council Chambers, Room 250 | 1685 Main Street | Item 12-B Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 10:06 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Kelly Hsiao
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
2 David Yakobson
From: Cecilia Haggerstrom <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 10:22 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Caroline Torosis; Barry Snell; Dan Hall; [email protected]; Jesse Zwick
Subject: Item 12-B - Do Not Place the Burden of the Expo/Bundy SB 79 Exclusion on 89 R1 Parcels

EXTERNAL
Good evening, members of the Council.

My name is Cecilia Haggerstrom, and I am a resident and renter in the Gandara neighborhood. I am here tonight to voice my strong opposition to the upzoning of the 89 parcels under your consideration.

As a childcare provider operating right here in this community, I see firsthand what makes our neighborhood special. My program specifically serves low-income families and disabled children who rely heavily on the stability and accessibility of this single-family community. Every day, school buses safely pull up to my home to drop off these children in an environment that is secure, predictable, and physically navigable for them.

I am deeply concerned that pushing high-density rezoning into our single-family neighborhood will completely erase the character of this community and hand it over to speculative developers. The increased congestion, construction blockages, and high-density traffic will make it incredibly difficult— and potentially dangerous—for school buses to safely pick up and drop off the disabled children in my care.

Furthermore, when corporate investors target a neighborhood for high-density units, it drives up land values, incentivizes displacement, and puts renters like myself at immediate risk. If I am displaced, the vulnerable, low-income families who rely on my affordable childcare services will lose a vital, trusted resource that they cannot easily replace.

Replacing these homes with dense developments threatens both my livelihood and the essential care system that supports working parents in our city. There are ways to address regional housing needs without completely destabilizing established communities, vulnerable renters, and critical care infrastructure. I urge this Council to protect our tenants, protect our children, and reverse the decision on up zoning R1. Pick option 3.

Thank you.

Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
3 David Yakobson
From: Phil Brock <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 10:35 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 12B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
As I understand it, for this item, staff recommended rezoning a different area to meet the immediate requirements of SB79.

I highly recommend that you follow your city staff's
recommendation and not rezone the last middle-class
affordable single-family housing zone for our city's people of color. This would be a disastrous and unnecessary change to our city's zoning. Please reconsider this item.

I oppose this change in the strongest possible terms.

Best
Phil Brock
--
Phil Brock / Mayor (ret)[email protected]
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.

Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
4 David Yakobson
From: Wendy Cohen <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 11:06 AM
To: Oliver Chi; councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya; Aileen Reynolds; Dan Hall
Subject: Item 12-B: Upzoning of R1 Neighborhoods in the Pico Neighborhood

EXTERNAL
Date: Sept. 8, 2026
Dear Mayor Torosis and Councilmembers,
I am writing as a Pico Neighborhood resident who is against Option 1, the proposed zoning change for R1 parcels bounded by the I-10 Freeway, Dorchester Avenue, Exposition Boulevard, and Centinela Avenue. I respectfully urge you to reject Option 1. I support the original recommendation by the City staff and our Planning Commission which is Option 3.

Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
5 The proposed ordinance would increase development standards for R1 parcels in our neighborhood to help the Expo/Bundy TOD Zone qualify for temporary exclusion from SB

The City says these parcels were selected because they are close to the Expo/Bundy Station, have clear geographic boundaries, and may reduce displacement risk on multiunit parcels. But that explanation is not enough. Avoiding displacement in one area does not justify shifting development pressure to another area without knowing who lives there now.

I respectfully ask the City Council to:

1. Reject Option 1 as currently proposed;

2. Support Option 3
Santa Monica can support housing without repeating historic patterns of inequity. The City should not use SB 79 as a reason to rush through a zoning change that disproportionately affects residents in and around Pico.

Please reject Option 1 and start over with a fair, transparent, and community-centered process.

Sincerely,
Wendy Cohen
Resident of the Impacted Expo/Bundy Area
Santa Monica, CA
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
7 David Yakobson
From: Maria Loya <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 11:10 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Oliver Chi; Clerk Mailbox; Clerk Mailbox Cc: Brian O'Neil; PNA~Kiana Choy; PNA SM; PNA Freddy Luis; [email protected]; Gina DeBaca; Berenice Onofre; Esther Hickman; Marisela Herrera; Irma Santiago; Mary Cornejo
Subject: Council Item 12B

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members,
The Pico Neighborhood Association (PNA) Board of Directors strongly opposes Option 1, the immediate implementation of SB 79 without a temporary exclusion and without a locally developed Transit-Oriented Development Alternative Plan. The City Council rejected the original staff proposal to upzone 66 R2 and R3 parcels and voted to direct staff to prepare an ordinance that will increase development standards on 89 singlefamily R1 parcels. In fact the only single-family neighborhood within the Pico Neighborhood. That is why we support option 3, which is the original City staff and Planning Commission recommendation to upzone 66 R2 and R3 parcels.

Our opposition to Option 1 is rooted in the history and reality of environmental racism in the Pico Neighborhood. The construction of the I-10 Freeway cut through and isolated the Pico Neighborhood, demolishing homes, displacing residents and leaving remaining families to live with decades of freeway noise, air pollution, traffic impacts, and physical division. Now, Option 1 threatens to continue and compound that history.

Option 1 is problematic because it appears broader than necessary. Immediate SB 79 implementation around Expo/Bundy will trigger land speculation and invite rapid market-driven redevelopment in an area already shaped by freeway pollution, industrial adjacency, and past displacement. Without a local plan, strong anti-displacement protections, and environmental justice analysis, Option 1 risks treating this impacted neighborhood as simply a transit opportunity zone rather than as a community that has already absorbed decades of infrastructure damage.

The city staff report states that the Expo/Bundy TOD Zone needs at least 52 additional parcels to meet SB 79’s temporary exclusion criteria. Yet Option 1 upzones 89 parcels, 37 more than the stated minimum. If the goal is simply to qualify for temporary exclusion, the city should not impose a major zoning change on more homeowners and residents than required.

The City is acting under legal uncertainty. The staff report acknowledges that SB 79 is unclear about how to calculate exclusion criteria for TOD zones that cross city boundaries, such as Expo/Bundy, which includes both Santa Monica and Los Angeles parcels. Santa Monica requested guidance from the State's Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) but had not yet received a formal answer.

The Council should not upzone 89 parcels before receiving definitive guidance from the State’s HCD.

Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
8 The better path forward is clear: Support Option 3 which was the original recommendation by the City staff and Planning Commission.

Pico has too often been asked to absorb the city’s burdens first and receive protections later. The Council should not repeat the pattern of behavior that puts Pico Neighborhood residents’ quality of life as secondary to development interests.

Sincerely,

The Pico Neighborhood Association Board of Directors
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 10:16 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Will von Bernuth
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
2 David Yakobson
From: Alyssa <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 10:12 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: NO UPZONING OF GANDARA PARK NEIGHBORHOOD

EXTERNAL
Santa Monica is already bursting at the seams with empty housing. We don't need more. Fight back.

Prove you aren't the lackeys of big-money developers.

Alyssa Ganezer
Santa Monica
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
3 David Yakobson
From: William Schoene <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 11:36 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

Already, single-family homes in the area valued at about $1.5 million are being replaced with 5 townhomes, each costing about $1.5 million, but with limited parking and no yard space. This benefits developers but does nothing for affordable housing. Upzoning like this also eliminates the small patches of
nature -- trees, shrubs, flowers, birds, squirrels, butterflies and other pollinators -- provided by the yards surrounding single-family homes. It's one of the reasons that people want to live in single-family neighborhoods.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
(YOUR NAME)
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
4 David Yakobson
From: Hilda Weiss <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 11:38 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Barry Snell; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya; Aileen Reynolds; Dan Hall
Subject: Item 12-B: Upzoning of R1 Neighborhoods in the Pico Neighborhood

EXTERNAL
Date: Sept. 8, 2026
Dear Mayor Torosis and Councilmembers,
I am writing as a Mid Cities/Pico Neighborhood resident who is against Option 1, the proposed zoning change for R1 parcels bounded by the I-10 Freeway, Dorchester Avenue, Exposition Boulevard, and Centinela Avenue. I respectfully urge you to reject Option 1. I support the original recommendation by the City staff and our Planning Commission which is Option 3.

I support housing, and I understand the importance of planning for more homes near transit.

But Option 1 is not a fair or thoughtful housing policy. It is a rushed decision that places a major zoning burden on one small residential area without adequate public process, displacement analysis, or consideration of the history and existing conditions of the Pico Neighborhood and surrounding community.

Santa Monica needs to have a diverse housing stock in every neighborhood of the city.

Increased density should begin in the R2 & R3 areas near transit stops (such as where I live at 1521 16th Street) before it invades R1. Attention to retaining R1 areas dispersed through Santa Monica will have the most lasting effect on the beauty and profitability of our city.

Please think about the long term effects of these zoning choices. Thank you.

I respectfully ask the City Council to:

1. Reject Option 1 as currently proposed;

Please reject Option 1 and start over with a fair, transparent, and community-centered process.

Sincerely,
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
6 David Yakobson
From: Sean Leis <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 11:39 AM
To: Oliver Chi; councilmtgitems; Caroline Torosis; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya; Aileen Reynolds Subject: Item 12-B: Upzoning of R1 Neighborhoods in the Pico Neighborhood

EXTERNAL

Date: Sept. 8, 2026
Dear Mayor Torosis and Councilmembers,
I am writing as a Pico Neighborhood resident who is against Option 1, the proposed zoning change for R1 parcels bounded by the I-10 Freeway, Dorchester Avenue, Exposition Boulevard, and Centinela Avenue. I respectfully urge you to reject Option 1. I support the original recommendation by the City staff and our Planning Commission which is Option 3.

Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
7 The proposed ordinance would increase development standards for R1 parcels in our neighborhood to help the Expo/Bundy TOD Zone qualify for temporary exclusion from SB

I respectfully ask the City Council to:

1. Reject Option 1 as currently proposed;

Please reject Option 1 and start over with a fair, transparent, and community-centered process.

Sincerely,
Sean Leis
Resident of the Impacted Expo/Bundy Area
Santa Monica, CA
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
8 Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Matt Maas Brundin <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 9:08 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 12.B — Expo/Bundy R1 amendment (SB 79 implementation)

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis and Councilmembers,
I’m a Santa Monica resident and a software engineer. Over the summer I’ve been working through the City’s SB 79 exclusion analysis, using the April 28 and July 14 staff reports and the county parcel roll. I’m not writing to oppose this amendment — allowing more homes on R1 land next to a rail station is the right direction on its own terms. I’m writing to ask that the qualification count this amendment exists to satisfy be shown parcel by parcel before the ordinance goes to HCD.

Here is the concern. Government Code §65912.161(b)(1)(B)(i) lets the City exclude a zone only if at least 33% of its sites already allow at least half of the SB 79 standards — and those standards vary by distance band. Within a quarter mile a site qualifies only at 50 du/ac and 1.5 FAR; within 200 feet, 70 du/ac and 2.0 FAR; only the outer quarter-to-half-mile band qualifies at 40 du/ac and 1.25 FAR. Footnote 2 of the capacity table in the July 14, 2026 staff report introducing the exclusion ordinance (the seven-zone table; agenda document 58759 on the City’s Legistar/iqm2 portal) says qualifying parcels were identified as “commercial zoned parcels and R4 zoned parcels” — a determination by zoning class, not by band. R4 permits one unit per 900 square feet, which is 48.4 du/ac and does not meet the quarter-mile bar. The standards this amendment confers on the 89 R1 parcels — one unit per 1,080 square feet (40 du/ac) and

1.25 FAR — are precisely the outer-band standards, and the City’s own July 28 option tables show quarter-mile parcels inside the affected area. If any of those parcels are counted toward the 42.7% the staff report reaches, the percentage is overstated by exactly that many. The staff report also notes the City’s April 24 request to HCD for technical assistance on the zone’s calculation has not received a formal response — which is one more reason to put the parcel list in the record now.

Three requests, none of which requires new analysis — footnote 2 shows staff already has the parcellevel determinations:

1. Attach to the second reading the per-parcel qualification list for the Expo/Bundy zone: APN, distance band, permitted density and FAR, and the qualification determination for each.

2. State the qualifying-site percentage computed band-consistently, next to the class-based figure the report uses.

3. Apply the same disclosure to the six zones already excluded, before the HCD submittal. HCD reviews the record, and a visible methodological gap is what produced the Beverly Hills rejection in May.

The same parcel list would also let the Council and the Pico neighborhood see whether the 33% threshold could be reached with a less concentrated set of parcels — a fair question the other comments raise.

Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
2 I have a pending records request for this data (R043118-081726, filed August 17, extended to September 10). The Council can shorten that by directing staff to attach it. The City’s strongest position in front of HCD is a count nobody can dispute — and the same applies to the ordinance’s defensibility if a developer challenges an exclusion later.

One last thought, separate from tonight’s vote. Most of the comments under this item are from owners who fear that upzoning means being bought out of their neighborhood. In Japan and Israel, redevelopment of a single lot routinely ends with the original owner holding a new unit in the building that replaces their house — a standard contract form, with tax rules that make it work. California already permits the pre-construction condominium map that such a swap needs. If the City is going to upzone 89 owner-occupied lots, it would be worth asking staff to look at what a “keep your address, get a new home” option would take here. It is the difference between density that happens to a neighborhood and density the neighborhood participates in.

Thank you for your time.

Matt Brundin Santa Monica resident
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: ALAN MONT <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 9:39 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Barry Snell; Jesse Zwick; Lana Negrete; Natalya Zernitskaya; Ellis Raskin; Caroline Torosis; Oliver Chi
Subject: Agenda Item 12–B Oppose

Why destroy neighborhoods that have existed for many years and generations.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Alan Mont
818-261-8172
NOMA
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Ed Harker <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 11:42 AM
To: councilmtgitems; Lana Negrete; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Dan.Hall. @santamonica.gov; Barry Snell; Ellis Raskin; Natalya Zernitskaya; Aileen Reynolds; Oliver Chi
Subject: Item 12-B: Upzoning of R1 Neighborhoods in the Pico Neighborhood

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis and Councilmembers,
I am writing as a Pico Neighborhood resident who is against Option 1, the proposed zoning change for R1 parcels bounded by the I-10 Freeway, Dorchester Avenue, Exposition Boulevard, and Centinela Avenue. I respectfully urge you to reject Option 1. I support the original recommendation by the City staff and our Planning Commission which is Option 3.

The proposed ordinance would increase development standards for R1 parcels in our neighborhood to help the Expo/Bundy TOD Zone qualify for temporary exclusion from SB

79. In practical terms, this could allow much more intensive development on parcels that Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
2 are currently single-unit residential. That kind of change should not be imposed on residents through a rushed process.

I respectfully ask the City Council to:

1. Reject Option 1 as currently proposed;

2. Support Option 3

Please reject Option 1 and start over with a fair, transparent, and community-centered process.

Sincerely,
Ed Harker
Resident near the Impacted Expo/Bundy Area
Santa Monica, CA
Date: Sept. 8, 2026

Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
3 David Yakobson
From: Adriana Vidal <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 11:43 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Item 12-B: Upzoning of R1 Neighborhoods in the Pico Neighborhood

The proposed ordinance would increase development standards for R1 parcels in our neighborhood to help the Expo/Bundy TOD Zone qualify for temporary exclusion from SB

79. In practical terms, this could allow much more intensive development on parcels that Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
4 are currently single-unit residential. That kind of change should not be imposed on residents through a rushed process.

I respectfully ask the City Council to:

1. Reject Option 1 as currently proposed;

Please reject Option 1 and start over with a fair, transparent, and community-centered process.

Sincerely,
Adriana Audelo
Resident of the Impacted Expo/Bundy Area
Santa Monica, CA
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: TROY PARR <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 11:58 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Reject Upzoning of R1 lots in Gandara Park

EXTERNAL
Hello,
I am a resident of Gandara Park. I am asking you to reject the upzoning of R1 lots in the neighborhood, which will result in predatory developers destroying the last affordable neighborhood for families in Santa Monica. I ask that you vote to support the original staff proposal to upzone 66 R2 and R3 parcels. This will satisfy the SB79 requirements and will likely not result in resident displacement because these properties are far less attractive to predatory developers. This option would be the least disruptive to all members of our community.

Thank you,
Troy Parr - VOTER
Delaware Avenue
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
2 David Yakobson
From: Nikki Kolhoff <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 11:59 AM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: July 8 City Council Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose Upzoning R1

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

Both your Planning Commission and Staff Report told you to go with the R2/R3 option to reduce displacement, but you chose the option most likely to cause displacement because you were helping your developer pals who filed projects within hours of your vote.

You need to value all current residents, and prioritize all of us, not just your future vision that excludes us.

Regards,
Nikki Kolhoff
Sunset Park Resident
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Jocelyn Ranne <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 10:58 AM
To: [email protected]; councilmtgitems
Subject: For meeting tonight

EXTERNAL
Because I cannot attend the meeting tonight, I am sending my written opposition to upzoning R1. I support option 3, which is what the city planning commission recommended. The city planning commission whose training and skills are suited for this recommendation.

As the council knows, it is much easier and financially more desirable for a developer to buy and knock down a bungalow and put in 12 units than to upgrade an already existing multi-family. Council members said they are trying to protect rent controlled units but a developer will have to spend substantially more money and time to flip a multi family so the city will attract developers with a higher skill level and ability, adding more to Santa Monica.

R1s do not have the infrastructure to suddenly support 15+ more people on a single lot. Many don’t even have alleyways. Multi families are already zoned and prepared. It’s a no brainer and will make the developer do more for the city by upgrading those units rather than doing little and getting a fat paycheck.

Why is there no safeguards for the infrastructure when the council pushes for option 1? I voted for this council hoping for some common sense. I will definitely be voting otherwise if this passes and I am one of MANY
Sent from my iPhone
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Marisela Herrera <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 12:11 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Marisela Herrera
Sent from my iPhone
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
2 David Yakobson
From: Brian O'Neil <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 12:26 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Caroline Torosis; Jesse Zwick; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Natalya Zernitskaya; Oliver Chi
Cc: Nada Shamonki
Subject: City Council Meeting (9/8/26) Item 12-B: Pivot to Option 3 Instead of Option 1 Re SB79 Policy

EXTERNAL
Subject: Item 12-B: Pivot to Option 3 Instead of Option 1 Re SB79 Policy Date: September 8, 2026
From: Brian O’Neil & Nada Shamonki, Gandara Park Residents Dear Mayor Torosis, Councilmembers, and City Manager Chi, I write to you as a concerned resident in the Gandara Park neighborhood about how the city’s implementation of an SB79 policy will dramatically impact the eastern edge of our city that falls within a mile radius of the Expo/Bundy TOD, and is thus subject to SB79 upzoning. I have spoken with several of you one-on-one and I appreciate the seriousness you are taking in deliberating on this issue.

It’s clear that a new policy must be put in place immediately or else the entire Bundy TOD zone in eastern Santa Monica will be subject to the most extreme upzoning allowed by SB79. Why City Council didn’t move forward with this a few months ago, before SB79 took effect on July 1, is beyond me. A complete failure in leadership.

That said, you must act now, and there are no good options.

The Planning Commission and city staff on July 14 and July 28 recommended that you adopt Option 3, which would allow SB79 upzoning only in R2-R3 parcels. On July 28, the majority on Council shifted its support to Option 1, which would allow SB79 development in 89 R1 lots in Gandara Park. I urge you to pivot back to support Option 3, which I believe will have a much less detrimental impact than Option 1.

Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
3 Support for Option 1 over Option 3 was based on the false assumption that most of the R1 parcels are owneroccupied. This is just not the case. At least 20% of the R1 homes in my neighborhood are rentals, and allowing massive upzoning in the R1s will undoubtedly lead to many families being evicted to make room for 5-6 unit upzoned condo complexes on R1 lots.

The was also the false argument that homeowners would have the power to choose who to sell to and who to choose not to sell to, i.e., outside developers. This position is naïve and unrealistic. It has already begun on my block where a Florida developer has bought 2958 Delaware and 2904 Delaware to upzone those lots to 4 and 5-unit condo complexes. That developer paid $200,000 over the highest competing offers in all cash deals. When older families in our neighborhood are compelled to sell their homes, it will be increasingly impossible to turn down such over-market bids by developers. The R1 lots in Gandara Park are the cheapest residential land in Santa Monica, and developers like the Florida one who bought 2958 and 2904 Delaware Ave are salivating to bulldoze our relatively peaceful R1 family neighborhood for their own quick profits. These R1 redevelopments HAVE NO REQUIREMENTS FOR AFFORDABLE UNITS. Their high prices will only help continue to drive up hosing prices across Santa Monica.

And what of Option 3, upzoning the applicable R2-R3 lots? Yes, there is the danger that some renters might be displaced, but I would argue that that danger is much greater for current renters in the R1 lots, many of whom are families with young children. Because of the capital costs involved, developers would be much less likely to try to upzone existing 4- and 8-plexes to 10- and 12-plexes. The Return on Investment (ROI) simply won’t be nearly as high a flipping the relatively cheap R1 lots. Again, the proof of this is already happening on Delaware Ave. I get letters and texts on the weekly from developers (not families) wanting to buy my home.

While it is not an easy decision to have to choose between two bad options, it is clear to me that if you consider the facts on the ground, choosing Option 3 over Option 1 will have a far less detrimental impact on far fewer renters and residents.

Thank you all your serving our great city and giving your utmost attention to this matter.

Highest regards,
Brian O’Neil & Nada Shamonki
2900 Block of Delaware Ave.

Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
4 Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
5 David Yakobson
From: Juan Padilla <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 3:27 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Caroline Torosis; Barry Snell; Dan Hall; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: I AM AGAINTS SB79!!!

EXTERNAL
Subject: Item 12-B - Do Not Place the Burden of the Expo/Bundy SB 79 Exclusion on 89 R1 Parcels Mayor Torosis and Members of the Santa Monica City Council, I am writing regarding Item 12-B on the September 8 City Council agenda and the proposed zoning changes affecting 89 R1 parcels in the Pico neighborhood near the Expo/Bundy station.

Page 6 ends

would allow the entire Expo/Bundy TOD Zone to qualify for temporary exclusion from SB 79 until approximately 2030.

In other words, these 89 properties are being asked to accept additional housing capacity so that the entire TOD zone can receive the benefit of the exclusion.

That raises serious questions that should be answered before Council adopts this ordinance:
 Why should these 89 R1 parcels bear the additional development burden necessary to provide SB 79 protection to the entire Expo/Bundy TOD Zone?  Staff states that the proposal would bring the qualifying percentage to approximately 42.7%. If the statutory threshold is 33%, has the City demonstrated that all 89 parcels are necessary to satisfy the applicable exclusion requirements?
 Why was displacement risk considered a reason not to place additional density on R2/R3 properties, while the City has not performed an equivalent analysis of renters, multigenerational households and displacement risk within these R1 parcels?  What analysis has been performed regarding redevelopment pressure, demolition of existing homes, infrastructure capacity and cumulative impacts on this neighborhood?  If the purpose of this zoning increase is to obtain a temporary SB 79 exclusion, will the increased zoning on these 89 parcels also sunset when that exclusion expires? If not, why not? Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
6 The staff report itself states that this temporary exclusion will give the City time to evaluate future housing needs and develop a more comprehensive approach through the 7th Cycle Housing Element, a future LUCE update, or a TOD Alternative Plan.

Please close the SB 79 window for Expo/Bundy, but do not permanently place the cost of obtaining that protection on one small neighborhood.

Thank you for including this correspondence in the public record for Item 12-B.

Sincerely,
Juan Padilla
2818 Delaware Ave.

Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
7 David Yakobson
From: Francis JonesDDS <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 4:52 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Francis Jones
Santa Monica Lifelong resident/SM Business Owner
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
8 David Yakobson
From: Robert Mickelson <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 5:02 PM
To: councilmtgitems; Dan Hall; Lana Negrete; Ellis Raskin; Barry Snell; Caroline Torosis; Natalya Zernitskaya; Jesse Zwick; Santa Monica City Manager's Office Subject: Agenda Item 12-B - Oppose

EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Torosis, City Council members, and City Manager Chi,

I oppose 9/8/26 agenda item 12B -- Implementation of SB79 development standards for R1 properties located within 1/2 mile of the Expo/Bundy Station.

This proposal endangers the last pocket of R1 housing in the Pico neighborhood.

R2 and R3 housing, on the other hand, is protected by Rent Control, and tenants would be protected by strong laws against displacement.

I urge you to rethink this plan.

Sincerely,
Robert Mickelson
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Kay Arnold <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 2:41 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Expo/Bundy TOD

EXTERNAL
Dear City Council Members:

In case I am unable to attend tonight's City Council meeting, I would like to inquire about some concerns that I have about the implementation of SB 79 and the state-mandated increased housing development in the Expo/Bundy TOD.
* For instance, if property owners are disinclined to develop their single-dwelling properties into multiple units (about 8 units per property), does SB 79 call for government acquisition of these properties under eminent domain?
* Will property owners be required to pay for their existing tenants to be relocated to equal or better rental housing under this program?
* If displaced tenants are granted right-to-return, will they continue to be protected under Santa Monica's rent control laws in the newly constructed SB 79 units? I also have a question or two regarding the closure of Samoshel and the Council's plans to move existing interim housing residents to the Palms hotel and/or to Salvation Army shelter beds in the city of Bell.

Mainly, what is planned for the Access Center which is located adjacent to Samoshel and provides dropin day services for the city's unhoused residents? (These services include mail pickup, showers, laundry, and some medical attention -- or at least used to provide these services.) Thank you for your time and consideration of these matters.

Best regards,
Kay Arnold
(Kandy Arnold)
1134 17th St, Apt F
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
1 David Yakobson
From: Louise Steiner <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 1:10 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Subject: Decline Option 1

EXTERNAL
Dear Council members, please go the right moral thing and not opt for option 1.

Over -Development in residential areas is not good planning. Please keep the integrity of single family housing in mind when voting.

Thank you, Louise Steiner
59 yr resident of SM
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026
Item 12-B
September 8, 2026

Santa Monica City CouncilSeptember 8, 2026

Santa Monica City Council
September 8, 2026