R-10287F:\atty\muni\laws\alan\Village\CCSP Reso
City Council Meeting 5-13-08 Santa Monica, California
RESOLUTION NO. lozs~ (CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE
CIVIC CENTER SPECIFIC PLAN FOR THE CIVIC CENTER RESIDENTIAL VILLAGE
WHEREAS, on November 23, 1993, the City Council of the City of Santa Monica
adopted. the Civic Center Specific Plah ("1993 CCSP"), which set forth a new vision for the
Civic Center area, and which anticipated that a variety of public improvements ih the area
would be funded by private commercial and residential development on property owned by
-The Rand Corporation.("RAND"); and
WHEREAS, in April 2000, the revitalization of the Civic Center took a major step
forward when the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Santa Monica (the
"Redevelopment Agency") purchased 11.3 acres of land in the Civic Center from RAND;
and
WHEREAS, in January 2001, the City embarked on a comprehensive update to the
1993 CCSP and, in April 2002, the City Council initiated the update to the 1993 CCSP,
which included a housing component fo be developed on that portion of the Civic Center
Specific Plan ("CCSP") area described as "The Village Special Use District;" and
WHEREAS, in 2003, the City began preparation of the Environmental Impact Report
for an updated CCSP under the California Environmental Quality Act; and
WHEREAS, on April 1, 2004, the Redevelopment Agency issued a Request for
Qualifications to solicit prospective developer-design teams interested in the development
of the Village Special Use District;- and
WHEREAS,. on June 28, 2005, the City Council certified a Final Environmental
Impact Report ("CCSP EIR") for amendments to the CCSP to provide for, among other
things, the development of a mixed use, urban neighborhood within that portion of the
CCSP area described as "The Village Special Use District" in order to address citywide
affordable housing needs, and to transform the Civic Center from asingle-purpose district
into a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood with daytime and evening activity," and adopted
said CCSP amendments (" 2005 CCSP"); and
WHEREAS, on January T0, 2006, the City Council approved selection of the
Related Companies of California as Developer for the Village Special Use District
component of the 2005 CCSP, and Developer has proposed amixed-use Civic Center
Residential Village Development Project to be known as the "Village at Santa Monica" and
developed in a manner designed to promote the goals, objectives and policies of the 2005
CCSP; and which includes, but is not limted to, the following elements: (1) 324 new
residential dwelling units, including 160 affordable units and live/work units suitable for
artists; (2) up to 20,000 square feet of neighborhood and visitor-serving commercial. uses,
including retail and restaurant uses; (3) open space; and (4) infrastructure improvements
and other public benefits.
WHEREAS, in April 2008, the City prepared an Addendum to the CCSP EIR in
compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act which assessed the proposed
Civic Center Residential Village Development Project and associated Land Use Element,
Civic Center Specific Plan and Zoning Ordinance amendments (the "Addendum"); and
WHEREAS, on April 16, 2008, at a .public hearing, the Planning Commission
reviewed and recommended approval of the proposed CCSP Amendments to allow for the
proposed Civic Center Residential Village Development Project; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has considered the Addendum and the CCSP EIR and
reviewed the proposed CCSP Amendments at a duly noticed public hearing on May 13,
2008, before taking action on the proposed project, and has determined that the proposed
CCSP amendments are consistent with the. General Plan,
NOW, THEREFORE,. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Pursuantto the Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 9.04.20.18.160,
the City Council hereby adopts the amendments to the Civic Center Specific Plan, as
contained in Exhibit 1.
SECTION 2. 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:
Exhibit 1
Corrected CCSP language for the Village
Housing Project.
New language is underlined, and deleted language is shown in strikeout form
CCSP: PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
INTRODUCTION (relevant sections only)
Background [Pages 2-3]
The purpose of this document is to establish the planning policies, and land use
and development regulations related to the Civic Center Specific Plan area. This
document builds upon, and supersedes, the 1993 Civic Center Specific Plan, as
amended in 2000. The previous Plan established policies for public and private
development. At that time, approximately half of the land within the Civic Center
area was publicly owned; the remainder was predominantly owned by a single
private property owner -- the RAND Corporation. The Plan established the land
use and development regulations for the RAND property as well as for the
publicly owned land. Another privately owned parcel -- 1733 Ocean Avenue --
was the subject of a previously established Development Agreement.
Since the 1993 Plan was adopted, several public facility improvements set forth
in the Plan have been initiated, including a new City Public Safety Facility, a
major public parking structure, and the extension of Olympic Drive from Fourth to
Main Street. During this period, the 1733 Ocean Avenue private office. building
was also constructed. In 2000, the RAND Corporation sold 11.3 acres of its
property to the Santa Monica Redevelopment Agency and focused its
development efforts exclusively on constructing a new headquarters facility on
the remainder of its site. Later that year, the City approved a development
agreement and amended the Specific Plan to permit the development of a new
RAND headquarters on a 3.7-acre site opposite the Civic Auditorium. This
allowed RAND to remain in their existing facilities pending the completion of the
new facility. With completion of the new RAND headquarters, the remaining
property has now been cleared and turned over to the Santa Monica
Redevelopment Agency.
The Planning Process [Page 3]
With the significant changes in conditions and the need for more precise plans
for the Agency's newly acquired property, the City Council decided that the Civic
Center Specific Plan needed to be fully reconsidered and updated. The City
Council initiated the planning process by appointing a Working Group to guide
the efforts in preparing a new Specific Plan.
During the eighteen-month planning process, which commended in the spring of
2001, the Working Group held eight public meetings including two weekend
community workshops.
Ultimately, the conclusions and results of the planning process were presented at
two public meetings held by the City Council, which gave direction for the
preparation of a draft Specific Plan to be the subject of environmental review and
further public comment.
The Village Housing Project
The Civic Center Specific Plan sets forth a vision for the Village Special Use
District as a mixed-use, urban neighborhood. The introduction of housing into
the Village District is an important objective of the Specific Plan in addressing
citywide housing needs and in transforming the Civic Center from asingle-
purpose district into a vibrant district with daytime and nighttime activity.
Beginning h 2005, the City conducted an extensive community planning process
for the Village Housing project in the Village District. This process has included a
developer selection process, community workshops, public hearings conducted
by the City's Housing, Recreation and Parks; and Planning Commissions, and
public hearings by the City Council.
In August 2007, the City Council authorized City Staff to conduct Development
Agreement negotiations for the Village Housing project and draft modifications to
the Civic Center Specific Plan in response to the community process for the
Village Special Use District. In December 2007, a Development Agreement
application was filed with the City of Santa Monica to develop the Village Housing
project. Concurrently, applications were also filed to amend the Civic Center
Specific Plan to incorporate the Village Housing project and to make the
appropriate technical amendments to the Land Use and Circulation Elements
("LUCE") of the City's General Plan to reference the Village Housing project.
"In 2008, the City Council approved amendments to the LUCE, the Civic Center
Specific Plan, and the Zoning Ordinance. Consistent with these legislative
amendments and the uses authorized by them, the Village Housing project will
be developed pursuant to a Development Agreement approved by the City
Council. The Development Agreement contains the development, use and
specific design standards for the Village Housing project."
Once the design for the Palisades Garden Walk, the Auditorium, and the Civic
Core special use districts have been defined, the Civic Center Specific Plan will
likely be amended. again to address these refined designs.
THE VISION (relevant sections only)
The Civic Center in the Future [Pages 7-9]
The Civic Center will retain its governmental and institutional role, but these uses
will be integrated with new residential, recreational, civic and cultural activities to
become a vibrant mixed-use district within the city. New linkages will connect the
area to the surrounding neighborhoods. Main Street will become an integral part
of the open space system and a more significant and central feature which
unifies the site. The pedestrian .experience of Palisades Park will be extended
through the area and bike paths will connect with the Downtown, Ocean Park
neighborhood and Santa Monica High School. Anew Second Street Bridge will
be extended over the freeway directly into the site, allowing for amixed-mode
connection with Downtown and the Main Street commercial area beyond. A
direct visual and physical linkage will be created to the Beach and Santa Monica
Bay -- taking advantage of the naturally declining grades and reinstating Olympic
Drive along a corridor that was usurped by the construction of the Santa Monica
Freeway and the RAND complex.
Moving through the site, -whether by foot, bicycle, on a bus or in a car -- will be a
memorable experience revealing diverse activities, interesting vistas, the
complexity of the site and the unique landscapes and buildings which comprise it.
Public art will play an essential role in the area's overall aesthetic, providing
unifying themes and distinct character. The newly created streets, promenades
and public ways will be utilized not only for movement but also as part of the
open space system for recreational activities and special events which reflect the
cultural and artistic interests of the community.
In the future, the area will no longer be seen as a number of disparate elements
but as a multifaceted urban district with many layers of activity that reflect the
maturing form of the city. The new parkland and recreational, community and
cultural facilities will augment the shopping, governmental and institutional uses
and create additional reasons for residents to visit the area. At the same time,
the civic identity of the area will be revealed, not through a single governmental
building or set of buildings, but focused on a new Town Square which will provide
unique opportunities unavailable elsewhere in the city for civic gatherings and
special events. To the north of the Town Square, a new City Services Building
will create an appealing gateway from the north and counterpoint the cultural role
of the Civic Auditorium with the service functions of city government.
New housing will add a diverse population, extend the vibrancy of activities
through all hours of the day and night and instill a strong sense of a community in
the area. Residential development will be created in a mixed-use village setting.
The housing will incorporate a range of unit types to attract a diversity of
households, such as families, entry-level workers, senior citizens and artists. On
the ground floor along Ocean Avenue, retail and restaurant space will enhance
the pedestrian-oriented street front; along Olympic Drive the Living Street and
Olympic Plaza, residential entrances will create a sociable environment. The
housing units will be organized around the Living Street, the Olympic Plaza area
and the family garden, which provide a common area and focus for the
residential neighborhood.
Two parks will be created in the northern part of the Civic Center: the Town
Square,. which will be the focus of social and civic events, and Palisades Garden
Walk, which will be a special place that celebrates the horticultural and artistic
characteristics of Santa Monica and extends the bluff and arroyo landscape of
Palisades Park into the Civic Center. A "tavern on the green" restaurant and
interpretative facilities could be incorporated into the southwest corner of the
park. Within the open space system of the entire Civic Center area, opportunities
for integrated commemorative works and public art, as well as water elements
that provide a cooling effect and demonstrate the recycling potential of urban run-
off, will be incorporated, thus reflecting Santa Monica's social, cultural and
environmental values.
At the southern end of the study area, the Civic Auditorium surface parking will
be consolidated into above- and below-grade parking structures, thus freeing up
the land for a variety of park purposes. Improvements will be made to the
landmark Civic Auditorium as the principal venue for large musical and cultural
performances as well as exhibitions and community gatherings. Its east wing will
be expanded to include a wider range of community-serving activities including
space for exhibitions, cultural activities and community events, all oriented to the
new park. This park will provide small open space areas to extend the activities
of the Civic Auditorium into the park and also will include a fenced play field to
help meet the increasing demand for organized and informal sports.
An early childhood center will also be developed within the park setting, providing
full-time, quality care and education for the infants, toddlers and pre-school aged
children of nearby employees and residents, as well as support facilities for
parent and professional development.
OPEN SPACE
[text relevant section on Page 21 only]
OS-5. Create a publicly accessible plaza adjacent to Olympic Drive that
connects to the Living Street which shall be a broad pedestrian pathway between
Ocean Avenue and Main Street with opportunities for experiencing an active
pedestrian street life. The Living Street and Olympic Plaza will provide a
pedestrian oriented central focus at the heart of this new mixed-use
neighborhood with pedestrian connections linking it to the perimeter streets
OS-72. Establish a network of pathways and promenades that link together
the parks and plazas within the Civic Center. In addition to Olympic Drive and
Main Street and the Living Street, there area number of pathways and
promenades that extend through parks and plazas, contributing significantly to
the open space experience of the Civic Center. Foremost among these is the
diagonal network of pathways crossing the site from Civic Auditorium Park
through Palisades Garden Walk to the Pier entrance and Palisades Park. The
network of pathways adds variety and complexity to the regularity of pathways
along streets and drives.
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DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS [relevant sections only at Pages 47-48)
Parks, promenades, pathways, streets and greens will create an appealing
setting and vivid identity for the Civic Center. Within this framework of public
open spaces, a number of buildings are planned that will add to the character,
quality, intensity and mix of uses within the area as a whole. They will enrich and
extend the existing program of cultural, community, institutional and government
uses, and will house a range of new uses including housing. The new uses will
add diversity and complexity to the area, address citywide needs and better
integrate the Civic Center as a vibrant and meaningful urban district within the life
of Santa Monica.
The buildings in the Civic Center will contribute to the unique identity of the
district, not through individual monumentality, but through their contribution to the
creation of awell-composed and appropriately scaled sequence of places that
support a wide range of activity. As such, buildings will help to create clearly
defined "neighborhoods" within the Civic Center, each responding to the natural,
visual and aesthetic characteristics of the site to establish a unique sense of
place. New buildings will also be designed to complement key historic landmarks
including City Hall and the Civic Auditorium, adding to their meaning and
significance while respecting their scale and character and reinforcing their
identity within the district and the community.
This element of the Specific Plan focuses on the design of buildings: the activities
that they accommodate; the way in which they relate to open spaces, streets,
and other buildings; their scale and massing; their architectural treatment and
use of materials; and their accommodation of parking and service functions. The
intent of the Plan is not to legislate a particular architectural style -- Santa Monica
is known for its diverse architecture and its ability to create distinctive urban
places -- but rather to encourage the design of buildings that contribute positively
to the spatial experience of the Civic Center, and that help activate the public
realm of parks, promenades, pathways and streets.
Existing and future buildings within the Civic Center include public and private
structures that will take on specific identities, based upon their predominant use,
but many will be mixed use in nature, with vertical integration of different types of
activities. Even in Santa Monica today, these buildings are the exception rather
than the rule, and they post some specific and unique design issues. In addition,
many of the buildings will experience a retrofit, historic restoration or adaptation
that present some extraordinary considerations in terms of design. These
common issues as well as those that are specific to individual buildings and sites
are the focus of this element of the plan.
In looking at the buildings more specifically, the study area is divided into five
special use districts, each with specific policies and property development
standards aimed at achieving the overall vision for the area. The district policies
describe the design treatments for the buildings, setting forth provisions for
allowable uses, parking requirements, setbacks and easements, building heights
and stepbacks, and the design treatment of ground level areas and building
facades. Where no specific provisions are made, the development standards of
the Zoning Ordinance shall apply except to the extent the site is governed by a
Development Agreement.
The Village Special Use District [relevant sections only at Pages 62-63]
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The introduction of housing in the Civic Center is an important objective in
addressing citywide afFordable housing needs, and in transforming the Civic
Ceriter from asingle-purpose district into a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood with
daytime and evening activity. To this end, the Plan calls for RAND property
purchased by the Redevelopment Agency south of Olympic Drive to be reserved
for the creation of a mixed-use village. The Village will include three new
housing sites, the Viceroy Hotel, the recently completed 1733 Ocean Avenue
private office building, and the RAND Headquarters. The Living Street shall be a
broad pedestrian pathway that provides a connection between Ocean Avenue
and Main Street. This pathway and Olympic Plaza -shall provide a pedestrian
oriented central focus at the heart of this new mixed-use neighborhood with
pedestrian connections linking it to the perimeter streets.
The neighborhood is envisioned as an urban village with low and mid-rise
structures that are compatible and closely integrated with the Living Street and
Olympic Plaza. A diversity of architectural treatments, sensitively scaled to the
pedestrian, is encouraged to promote a rich and varied "village" character. The
following standards describe the intended forms and treatment of buildings within
the Village:
VD-1. Up to 325 residential units shall be permitted within the Village, at the
following densities:
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a. Site A located along the south side of Olympic Drive shall not exceed 66
dwelling units;
b. Site B located adjacent (south) to the Living Street shall not exceed ~1---5160
dwelling units; and
c. Site C located south of the 1733 Ocean Avenue building along Ocean Avenue
and Vicente Terrace shall not exceed 99 dwelling units.
VD-3. At least 160 of the units shall be affordable to very low and low-income
households. will be located in Site B.
VD-4. Affordable family housing is required. Affordable family housing provided
on Site-B shall have access to a secure play area and pedestrian access from
the Living Street and Olympic Plaza.
VD-5. Live-work units are encouraged along ground floor frontages within the
Village district. Affordable live-work units that are suitable to artists on Site B are
required to be on the ground level.
VD-6. Up to a total of 20,000 square feet of neighborhood and visitor serving
commercial and retail uses, including restaurants, are required and shall be
distributed throughout the site along the Ocean Avenue frontage, the Living
Street and. Olympic Drive. Outdoor dining for restaurants may be provided per
the terms of the Village Development Agreement
VD-7. All development on Site A shall be set back from Ocean Avenue by a
minimum of 18 feet, the precise amount to be established in the Development
Agreement for the Village Housing project.
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VD-8. All development within Site A shall be located to provide-landscaping and
a walkway along Olympic Drive with a minimum ground level setback of 18 feet,
the precise amount to be established in the Development Agreement for the
Village Housing project.
VD-9. Development on Sites A and B shall be set back at least 10 feet from the
RAND property line and have a minimum set back from Ocean Avenue of 18
feet, and a minimum set back form Olympic Drive of 18 feet at ground level, the
precise amount to be established in the Development Agreement for the Village
Housing project.
VD-10. Development on Site B shall have a minimum building separation of 35
feet from 1733 Ocean Avenue the precise amount to be established in the
Development Agreement for the Village Housing project.
VD-11. Development on Site C shall I have a minimum building separation of 40
feet from 1733 Ocean Avenue-the precise amount to be established in the
Development Agreement for the Village Housing project.
VD-12. Within the Village Housing project, the maximum building height shall be
as follows:
a. For Sites A and B, the maximum building height shall be 65 feet as measured
.from the existing sidewalk grade of Ocean Avenue as further specified in the
Village Development Agreement.
b. For Site C, the maximum building height shall be no greater than 96 feet for
the southern portions, 87 feet for the central portions, and 68 feet for the
northern portion as specified in the plans for the Village Housing Project
Development Agreement. Building height is measured from the Ocean
Avenue sidewalk as specified in the Village Development Agreement.
c. These maximum building heights shall not apply to building height projections
as provided in the Development Agreement for the Village Housing project.
d. Non-habitable penthouse and mechanical areas shall be stepped back from
the building face to be concealed from view from the ground.
e. Development of Site C along Ocean Avenue shall provide step backs for in
accordance with the design proposed Development Agreement for the Village
Housing project.
f. The City may allow by development agreement additional building height up
to a maximum of five additional feet, over and above what would otherwise be
allowed, for Sites A, B and C if such additional height is the only practicable
means to comply with new technical building requirements that take effect
after City approval of the Development Agreement for the Village Housing
Project."
VD-13. Residential development shall provide within the designated
development sites (Sites A, B and C) usable private open space (e.g.,
courtyards, gardens, terraces, balconies) for each dwelling unit. The amount of
private open space shall be determined in accordance with the Development
Agreement for the Village Housing project.
VD-14. In addition, an average of 100 square feet of usable common open
space shall be provided for each dwelling unit. The amount of common open
space shall be determined in accordance with the Development Agreement for
the Village Housing project.
VD-15. Residential development within Site A shall include units with the Living
Street.
VD-16. Residential development within Site B shall include units with entrances
or patios oriented to accessible open space or the Living Street.
VD-17. Within Sites A and C, ground-level neighborhood serving. commercial
uses will be provided along the Ocean Avenue and Olympic Drive frontages in
accordance with the Development Agreement for the Village Housing project.
VD-21. Parking and service entrances shall be located in areas that minimize
disruption of pedestrian ways and open spaces, Sites A, B and C shall have
parking garage entrances located off the alleys. in accordance with the
Development Agreement for the Village Housing project.
IMPLEMENTATION [relevant sections only at Pages 81-84]
Regulatory Program
/-2. Public and private development projects over 10,000 square feet shall be
subject to the Development Review Permit requirements of the City of Santa
Monica Zoning Ordinance. The findings related to any project shall include the
project's conformance to the Specific Plan. The City may approve a
Development Agreement rather than a Development Review Permit for such
projects.
/-5. The City will solicit proposals from private and non-profit developers for the
implantation of the housing program set forth for the Village Area Special Use
District. The City and selected developer(s) will solicit community input in the
design of the housing. Implementation of the housing program in the Village
Area Special Use District will be governed by the Development Agreement for
the Village Housing project.
Table 2: Civic Center Specific Plan Improvement Program [relevant sections
only]
Streets, Promenades and Pathways
• The extension of Olympic Drive and the Olympic Drive Promenade from Main
Street to Ocean Avenue
• The improvement of Main Street including Main Street Circle between
Olympic Drive and Pico Boulevard.
• The extension of Second Street between Colorado Avenue and Olympic
Drive including the construction of a new bridge across the Santa Monica
Freeway.
• The construction of additional streets to provide access to specific sites and
facilities including the improvement of Fujinomura Douri and Civic Center
Drive.
• The enhancement of the pedestrian and visual environment along the
perimeter streets including Pico Boulevard, Ocean Avenue, Second and
Fourth Streets.
• Traffic controls throughout the area to provide for safe vehicular, pedestrian
and bicycle access.
• The improvement of the Main Street Bridge and the existing public right-of-
way along Colorado Avenue as a pedestrian way and gateway plaza to the
Civic Center
• Create a Living Street which shall be a broad pedestrian pathway with
opportunities for an active pedestrian street life, and provides a pedestrian
connection between Ocean Avenue and Main Street
• Parks and Open Spaces
• The 5.6-acre Civic Auditorium Park on the existing Civic Auditorium parking
lot.
• The improvement of the Courthouse lawn and the creation of a 0.8 acre plaza
along the Main Street frontage.
• The one-acre Town Square in front of City Hall.
• The six-acre Palisades Garden Walk north of Olympic Drive and west of
Second Street.
1.17. The Living Street and Olympic Plaza will be completed in conjunction with
the Village Housing project.
CONSISTENCY WITH THE GENERAL PLAN [relevant sections only]
Development Standards [Page 86]
The maximum allowable development permitted in the General Plan is governed
by the 1993 Civic Center Specific Plan and its 2000 amendment. This includes:
up to 350 units of new housing, 250,000 square feet of office space, up to 20,000
square feet of retail uses, a new cultural and community facility of 55,000 square
feet, and County Courthouse expansion of 140,000 square feet. (The RAND
headquarters, the Public Safety Building and the Civic Center garage were also
programmed in the 1993 Specific Plan and incorporated within the General Plan
amendment of that same year). The maximum height of development is
established at 72 feet and 6 floors for the RAND headquarter building, 70 feet for
development north of Olympic Drive, height limits ranging from 65 feet to 96 feet
for residential sites south of Olympic Drive, and various heights ranging from 35
to 84 feet for the public buildings east of Main Street. All sites are subject to
specific bulk and massing regulations.
This Specific Plan revises the overall program of Civic Center development set
forth in the 1993 and amended 2000 Specific Plan for the area south of the Santa
Monica Freeway, by: eliminating commercial office as a permitted use, by
reducing the anticipated cultural and community facilities from 55,000 square feet
to 20,000 square feet, and by adding the 40,000 square foot City Services
Building to the development program. The net reduction of square footage is
approximately 185,000 square feet of overall floor area.
In the interest of preserving as much public land for open space, the Specific
Plan promotes some increases of building heights on specific parcels within the
area south of the freeway. In the Village area, the Specific Plan contains varying
height limits of 65 feet for Sites A and B, and 96 feet for Site C. In addition, the
Plan provides for a small portion of the City Services Building to a height of 85
feet to create a distinctive silhouette along the Main Street axis. Specific
massing guidelines are also modified to take into consideration the revised
framework of streets and open spaces. While revisions have taken place, the
overall urban design principles for the compatible integration of buildings with
open spaces and with existing historic resources remains intact.
The Specific Plan does not provide a revised development program or
regulations for the Sears property, which remains subject to the existing
standards of the City of Santa Monica's Zoning Ordinance, and is therefore
consistent with the existing General Plan.
Scenic Corridors [Pages 89-90]
The Scenic Corridors Element was adopted by the City Council in 1975. The
purpose of the Scenic Corridors Element is to protect and enhance the scenic
resources of the City of Santa Monica. It is proposed that this be accomplished
by establishing a system of scenic corridors along existing roadways that
traverse areas of scenic beauty and interest.
The Element establishes seven scenic corridors in the city:
1. Santa Monica Freeway from the city boundary to Ocean Avenue;
2. Ocean Avenue from the north city boundary to Barnard Way;
3. Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1) within the city limits;
4. Barnard Way from Ocean Avenue to south city boundary;
5. Wilshire Boulevard from the city boundary to Ocean Avenue;
6. Santa Monica Mall; and
7. Santa Monica Municipal Pier.
The goals of the Scenic Corridors Element require policies that provide for the
beautification of thoroughfares which lend themselves to landscaping, pleasing
architectural treatments, and the development of scenic corridors for the use of
pedestrians and bicyclists.
The policies of the Civic Center Specific Plan are consistent with the Scenic
Corridors Element in the way they affect the treatment of and development along
Ocean Avenue between Colorado Avenue and Pico Boulevard. These policies
require atwenty-foot wide publicly accessible setback along the eastern side of
Ocean Avenue in this area that would be used for strolling, sitting, conversing,
reading, eating, etc. The Specific Plan also includes the Living Street -- a
pedestrian pathway between the Site A housing and the Site B housing that
provides a pedestrian connection between Ocean Avenue and Main Street. In
addition, the Specific Plan retains the bicycle lanes on the street and calls for a
landscaped median along Ocean Avenue where feasible.
Adopted and approved this 13th day of May, 2008.
_<~'
Herb Katz,
I, Maria Stewart, City Clerk of the City of Santa Monica, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Resolution No. 10287 (CCS) was duly adopted at a meeting of the Santa
Monica City Council held on the 13th day of May, 2008, by the following vote:
Ayes: Council members: Genser; McKeown
Mayor Pro Tem Bloom, Mayor Katz
Noes: Council members: Shriver
Abstain: Council members: Holbrook
Absent: Council members: O'Connor
ATTEST:
Maria Stewart, City CI rk