sr-040957-5aCITY OF SANTA MONICA `~ ' ~ ~ 1 'J
DATE: A-~,ril 3, 1957 S~'~T ~ ~,t{C GdltF.
TO: City Council through City Pnanager
FROM: L.S.Storrs, Planning Director
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SUBJECT: URBAPI REN~6•FAL
Since it is apparent that popular support'is developing far
a broad program of Urban Renewal in Santa Monica, and beca~:se it appears
that the proposed Demonstration Project, if approved by the Urban Renewal
Administration, will be greatly curtailed, I urish to submit the follow-
ing recommendationsz
1. ^lhat the proposed Demonstration Project be abandoned.
2. That a supplemental contract be entered into with Simon
Eisner and Associates to guide and direct such neighborhood analysis as
may be necessar~r and pursuant thereto to aid and advise in setting uo
rehabilitation project areas in tirrich the power of eminent domain would
not be the primary tool employed, but in which private owners would ha<re
access to a4.M.A. mortgage insurance under Section 220 of the Mousing Act.
Such a rehabilitation project area might or might not coincide
with the Demonstration Project area as previously outlined,_and_tY?e_amount
of the appropriation necessary would have to be negotiated.
A broad program, such as the city is committed to carry out
under its t•Tarkable Program,req_uires detailed studies to enable the
communit~r to set up:
1. Conservation Areas. These are areas in which blight is
negligible or non-existent, but *nrhere preventive action is indicated.
2. Rehabilitation Areas. These are neighborhoods in which
blight has appeared to a greater or less degree, but in which. private
o~~rners, aided by F.M.A. Mortgage insurance; can be expected to take
remedial action.
3. Redeve"!opment Areas. These are areas in which blight
exists tc a marked degree, and where inadequate street?~tterns or small
lot sizes or other factors make it impossible for owners to proceed un-
aided. In these areas a redevelopment agency must acquire properties
through proceedings in eminent domain, clear and replat the land;
realign the streets, and sell the land back to private enterprise for•
development in accordance with the plan previously adopted for the area.
It is further recommended that immediate consideratior, be
given to the appointment of the redevelopment agency, in order that
the members thereof may be associated with the program from the outset.
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