Commission hears director's report on council actions, housing projects and staffing update
January 22, 2026 | Santa Monica City, Los Angeles County, California
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Commission staff presented an overview of recent City Council actions and upcoming items to the Planning Commission, including housing project approvals, regulatory changes and administrative updates.
Staff said Council approved several building‑and‑safety updates (including aligning the high‑rise definition to 75 feet), continued the off‑site affordable housing pilot program (initially allowing projects up to the first 1,000 units; six projects applied, reaching that cap) and voted to repeal an emergency interim zoning ordinance (IZO) related to "SB 11 23." Staff told commissioners that no applicants had used the emergency IZO while it was active and the relief is no longer available.
Staff also reported recent ARB approvals including a personal storage DRP before the commission that evening, an eight‑unit condo on 16th Street and an R‑1 modification. A housing project at 2929 Pico was described as 59 units; additional projects are scheduled for review in February, including a project on 26th Street described in the discussion as a 30‑unit design and a single‑family ADU in the potential historic South Beach District that will go before ARB because of the district designation.
The Landmarks Commission meeting scheduled for January was canceled; staff said the Feb. 9 meeting will concentrate on the Mills Act program review, with outreach planned to the conservancy and additional commissions before council consideration in March. Staff also noted two council items on Jan. 13 to realign the cannabis equity program with state requirements so the city and applicants remain eligible for future state grant funding.
In administrative news, staff announced Denise Anderson Warren will serve as interim city clerk. The commission did not take action on council items at this meeting; the presentation was informational and staff indicated follow‑up study sessions and analysis would return to the commission for further work.
The commission then considered a separate motion asking staff to draft voluntary‑disclosure language for interested‑party contacts.
Staff said Council approved several building‑and‑safety updates (including aligning the high‑rise definition to 75 feet), continued the off‑site affordable housing pilot program (initially allowing projects up to the first 1,000 units; six projects applied, reaching that cap) and voted to repeal an emergency interim zoning ordinance (IZO) related to "SB 11 23." Staff told commissioners that no applicants had used the emergency IZO while it was active and the relief is no longer available.
Staff also reported recent ARB approvals including a personal storage DRP before the commission that evening, an eight‑unit condo on 16th Street and an R‑1 modification. A housing project at 2929 Pico was described as 59 units; additional projects are scheduled for review in February, including a project on 26th Street described in the discussion as a 30‑unit design and a single‑family ADU in the potential historic South Beach District that will go before ARB because of the district designation.
The Landmarks Commission meeting scheduled for January was canceled; staff said the Feb. 9 meeting will concentrate on the Mills Act program review, with outreach planned to the conservancy and additional commissions before council consideration in March. Staff also noted two council items on Jan. 13 to realign the cannabis equity program with state requirements so the city and applicants remain eligible for future state grant funding.
In administrative news, staff announced Denise Anderson Warren will serve as interim city clerk. The commission did not take action on council items at this meeting; the presentation was informational and staff indicated follow‑up study sessions and analysis would return to the commission for further work.
The commission then considered a separate motion asking staff to draft voluntary‑disclosure language for interested‑party contacts.
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