R-10110
RESOLUTION NO. 10110 (CCS)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DECLARING ITS INTENTION
TO CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT TO THE TEXT OF THE CITY
OF SANTA MONICA ZONING ORDINANCE AND DIRECT THE
PLANNING COMMISSION TO IN ITIA TE THIS AMENDMENT
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WHEREAS, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)
owned Exposition right-of-way (ROW) is a linear strip of land that extends from the eastern
City limit at Centinela Avenue to 1 th Street and generally ranges between 50 to 100 feet
wide; and
WHEREAS, the Metro maintains a long-term goal of preserving the right-of-way for
future transit use; and
WHEREAS, established City General Plan policies, Zoning Ordinance regulation
and land use policy decisions also establish the use of the ROW for transportation
purposes, including a light rail line and bicycleJpedestrian path; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to clarify and further define City-allowed temporary use
of the ROW until such a time when it is used for public transportation purposes; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Santa Monica on October 13, 1998
approved a recommendation to establish a new zoning designation to protect the right-of-
way for transportation purposes while allowing very limited and temporary uses to exist;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to consider an amendment to the text of the
City's Zoning Ordinance and hereby declares its intention by adopting this resolution
pursuant to Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 9.04.20.16.020(a)(2) and directs the
Planning Commission to initiate this amendment; and
WHEREAS, the proposed text amendment is consistent in principle with the goals,
objectives, policies, land uses, and programs specified in the adopted General Plan,
specifically, Land Use and Circulation Element and Open Space Element Policies as
follows:
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· Land Use and Circulation Element Policy 1.11.3: Encourage the retention of the
Southern Pacific [Exposition Branch] right-of-way as open space. Open space use
of the right-of-way shall also permit its use for transportation purposes.
. Policy 4.1.8: Right-of-way for new alternative transportation facilities shall be
reserved; land uses shall be prohibited that would preclude the timely development
of transportation facilities where right-of-way is required.
. Policy 4.5.3: The City should endorse the concept of rail rapid transit, either heavy
or light rail, serving the City of Santa Monica and shall promote locating a transit
station in the Downtown area. The City should select the most appropriate type of
transit system and the most appropriate route after public review and consideration
for the options available to the City.
. Policy 4.6.3: Assist in the implementation of a new Class I bicycle route and
pedestrian trail along the Southern Pacific Railroad (Metro) right-of-way corridor
when and if the right-of-way is abandoned as a rail line.
. Open Space Element Objective 2: Expand the open space system through the use
of public properties.
. Open Space Element Objective 4: Establish a citywide system of pathways and
linear open spaces; specifically Policy 4.3 - Enhance the MT A corridor as a bicycle
lane and linear open space, and
WHEREAS, the proposed text amendment is beneficial to the public health, safety,
and general welfare in that it protects open space and provide the opportunity for
alternative sustainable forms of transportation, including light rail and bicycle/pedestrian
paths, therefore,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DOES RESOLVE AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Pursuant to the Santa Monica Municipal Code Section
9.04.20.16.020(a)(1), the City Council does hereby announce its intention to consider
amending the text of the City's Zoning Ordinance related to creating a Transportation
Preservation Zoning District for the Exposition Right-of-Way and directs the Planning
Commission to initiate this amendment.
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Section 2.. A summary of the proposed amendment is attached hereto and labeled
as Exhibit A.
Section 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and
thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
Approved as to form:
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Adopted and approved this 14th day of February, 2006.
~~F~
Robert T. Holbrook, Mayor
I, Maria Stewart, City Clerk of the City of Santa Monica, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Resolution No.1 011 0 (CCS) was duly adopted at a meeting of the Santa
Monica City Council held on the 14th day of February, 2006, by the following vote:
Ayes:
Council members: Bloom, Genser, McKeown, Mayor Holbrook
Noes:
Council members: None
Abstain:
Councilmembe~: None
Absent:
Council members: Katz, O'Connor, Mayor Pro Tem Shriver
ATTEST:
~~!t.~
Maria M. Stew rt, City Clerk
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EXHI BIT A
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT
TO THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA ZONING ORDINANCE
TO CREATE A NEW TRANSPORTATION PRESERVATION DISTRICT
A new section 9.04.08 - "Transportation Preservation District" added to the Zoning Code
would provide for the following:
Affected Area: The amendment pertains to the rail right-of-way known as the "Exposition
Branch," owned by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
(METRO), extending from 17th Street to the eastern City limit at Centinela Avenue.
Purpose: The new district would preserve the right-of-way for transportation-related uses.
It would allow specific temporary non-transit uses and limited site improvements, but
require all non-transit uses and improvements to be removed at such time as the METRO
determines the right-of-way is needed for public transportation-related uses. Consistent
with the goals, objectives, and policies of the General Plan, no permanent non-
transportation-related structures or other long-term improvements would be permitted.
Allowed Permanent Uses: Public transportation, open space and landscaping, public
parks and recreation. Film/video production associated with legally permitted buildings
located north of Olympic Boulevard would be allowed. The ordinance would include
property development standards for these uses.
Temporary Uses Subject to Performance Standards Permit: Surplus parking for
businesses that currently meet off-street parking requirem~nts, film or video production
uses and associated non-permanent structu res, including temporary film sets, and
commercial nurseries. The ordinance would include performance standards.
Prohibited Uses: Structures on permanent foundations not associated with a permitted
use, permanent site improvements such as buildings or walls not associated with a
permitted use, vehicle impound or junk yards, building material storage, required parking
for an off-site use and any use not specifically authorized. The ordinance would address
non-conforming uses.
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