SR-405-006
Council Mtg: February 14, 2006 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Resolution of Intention to Consider Amending the Text of the City of Santa
Monica Zoning Ordinance to Create a Transportation Preservation Zoning
District for the Exposition Right-of-Way and Direct the Planning Commission
to Initiate this Amendment
INTRODUCTION
The attached Resolution of Intention will authorize a public hearing to consider amending
the City of Santa Monica Zoning Ordinance to creating a new Section 9.04.08.37
“Transportation Preservation District.” The district would protect the Exposition Right-of-
Way for long term public transportation uses including light rail and bike/pedestrian paths,
while expediting the approval process for limited temporary uses such as non-code-
required parking and filming production.
BACKGROUND
The proposed amendment to the City’s Zoning Ordinance would designate the rail right-of-
way (ROW) within the City, owned by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation
Authority (Metro) and known as the Exposition ROW, as a Transportation Preservation
(TP) District. The proposed district is intended to facilitate approval of temporary land uses
that are consistent with the City’s General Plan, while maintaining the ROW for public
transportation purposes as the primary goal. The ROW is within the City’s LMSD and M1
zoning designations. The amendment would not authorize any new uses that are not
currently authorized by the current zoning designations.
The proposed district would allow a limited number of temporary uses, which can currently
only be permitted with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) under the current code. Proposed
uses that would be allowed subject to a Performance Standards Permit (PSP) include:
surplus parking for businesses that currently meet off-street parking requirements, film or
video production uses, and associated non-permanent structures including temporary film
sets, and commercial nurseries. Film or video production uses associated with legally
permitted buildings north of Olympic Boulevard would be allowed. Long-term permitted
uses include public transportation facilities, open space and landscaping, public parks and
recreational facilities. The proposed district would continue to prohibit existing uses that
are not allowed by existing code, including vehicle impound or junk yards, building material
storage and required parking for an off-site use.
NEXT STEPS
Public hearings are tentatively scheduled for the March 1, 2006 Planning Commission
meeting and the April 11, 2006 City Council meeting.
BUDGET / FINANCIAL IMPACT
The recommendation presented in this report does not have any budget of financial
impact.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve the attached Resolution of Intention and
direct the Planning Commission to initiate the amendment process.
Prepared by: Andy Agle, Interim Director, Planning and Community Development
Ellen Gelbard, Deputy Director, Planning and Community Development
Amanda Schachter, City Planning Manager
Bruce Leach, Associate Planner
Attachment: City Council Resolution of Intent
See Adopted Resolution No. 10110 (CCS)