SR-400-009 (2)
Santa Monica, California Council Meeting: June 12, 2001
To: Mayor and City Council
From: City Staff
Subject: Contract with Cotton/Bridges/Associates in an Amount Not to Exceed
$103,520 to Assist the City in Reviewing Existing Conditions and Current
Land Use Regulations Affecting Automobile Dealerships, Conduct a
Public Process and Assist the City in Preparing Zoning Code
Modifications for Consideration by the Planning Commission and City
Council.
INTRODUCTION
This staff report recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to
negotiate and execute a contract with Cotton/Bridges/Associates in an amount not to
exceed $103,520 to assist the City in reviewing existing conditions and current land
use regulations affecting automobile dealerships, conduct a public process in
cooperation with the City which involves businesses and community and neighborhood
organizations, and if appropriate, assist the City in preparing zoning code modifications
for consideration by the Planning Commission and City Council.
DISCUSSION
The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce Automobile Dealers Task Force represents the
franchised full service new vehicle dealerships within Santa Monica. In the mid-1990s, the
Task Force met with City officials to discuss land use regulations and land use conflicts
which the Task Force believes have long term impacts on dealer operations. In an effort to
1
resolve land use conflicts, City officials expressed a willingness to work with the Task Force
and the community to review existing zoning regulations.
In February, 2001, the Task Force presented to the City its recommendations for proposed
modifications to the zoning ordinance in a document entitled “Retaining Full-Service Auto
Dealerships in the City of Santa Monica: Proposed Modifications to City Planning
Regulations”. The Task Force’s document, prepared by Hamilton, Rabinovitz & Alschuler,
Inc., reviews the general characteristics of the industry, the characteristics of 10 case study
dealerships within Santa Monica, examines existing City regulations and proposes
modifications to the regulations.
It is the City’sdesire to retain consultant services to review the document presented by the
Task Force, verify the characteristics and existing conditions at the study dealerships and
help the City resolve land use conflicts in light of the Task Force’s recommendations and
community input.
Pursuant to the City’s professional services selection procedures, the Planning and
Community Development Department issued a Request for Proposals to four consulting
companies to assist the City in this endeavor. Staff recommends that
Cotton/Bridges/Associates be selected as consultant for this project due to its
understanding of the project, proposed scope of work, consultant team and experience
in zoning related issues.
2
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT
Sufficient funds are currently budgeted in Account Number 01266.555060 to cover the
cost of the contract.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a contract with Cotton/Bridges/Associates in an amount not to exceed
$103,520 to assist the City as described above.
Prepared by: Suzanne Frick, Director of Planning and Community Development
Jay M. Trevino, AICP, Planning Manager
Amanda Schachter, Principal Planner
Paul Foley, Senior Planner
3