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:.Santa Monica, California,-January 22, 19`75
T0: Mayor and City Council ~ ~~
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~~ PROM: City Staff
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SUBJECT: Suggested Moratorium: Beachfront Areas ..
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This is a staff report covering a Planning Commissiosi
recommendation that the City Council impose a 180 day mora-
~orittig on the issuance of building permits or commencement of
construction-under existing permits in the beachfront areas.
Bachround
one proposed Beach Master Plan under consideration. by
the City of Santa Monica and the State Department of Beaches and
Farks and the Appearance and Design, Intensity of Development
and Recreation Elements under consideration by the Coastal
Commission are focusing attention on the beachfront area and
its eventual development.
-While final determinations have not yet been reached, it
is increasingly apparent that future residential development
west of Palisades Beach Road, Appian Way and. Barnard L~7ay, in
accordance with the established zoning patterns is going to be
severely restricted, if not prohibited entirely. All of the
plans and elements under consideraticn point toward the ultimate
conversion of that area between the water and the first public
street to public recreation with eventual removal of residential
uses. Additionally, a corresponding effect may also be felt in
the immediately adjacent areas.
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Therefore, it is believed appropriate for the city to
impose restrictions, in addition to those of the Coastal
Commission, on further development in the beachfront area.
pending adoption of definitive plans and regulations for the
following reasonse
l: The. City staff presently has no legal basis for
denial or withholding of building permits which comply
with existing zoning regulations even though such
development may be contrary to anticipated long range
beachfront development.
2. There is currently some uncertainty as to the
legal status of outstanding building permits and the
.applicability of code. changes enacted .subsequently to
their issuance.
3. A local restriction provides the City with final
authority to control undesirable development in the
event-the Coastal. Commission should fail to do so.
4. Although eventual changes in zoning are likely
to result as a means of implementing the beach plans
.none of the existing zoning classifications fully
satisfies the anticipated needs and intErim zone.
changes are not necessarily appropriate, efficient
or effective..
5. The moratorium procedure is the easiest to apply,
offers the greatest protection and flexibility. and
can be quickly removed when no longer necessary.
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6. The establishment of a moratorium can be
viewed as an affirmative act on the part o£ the
City indicating its intention to imAlement its
beach. development plans by restrricting -con-
struction which is in conflict with proposed uses. ,
On January. 20th, the City Planning Commission approved
a resolution recommending that: the City Council impose a 180
day moratorium on the further issuance'of building permits. or
commencement of construction under existing permits in excess
of X5000 in value, excepting .for required repair_or maintenance,
in hose areas of the city westerly of Ocean Avenue and Neilson
?day unless such permit or construction is specifically approved
by the City Council
".The vote on the Resolution was as follows:
AYES: Commissioners Cohen, Gould, Lonsinger,
Malcolm, Schneider, Roper
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Savage
Alternatives
lne alternatives. available to the City Council include
l cs acceptance of the Planning Commission recommenda-
tion, as submitted.
2. T'ne rejection of the Commission's recommendation.
3. !codification of the Commission's recommendation and
`the establishment of a moratorium area reduced in. scale
or extent.
The pros in favor of the moratorium are basically those
set-forth above, while. the cons include the creation of an
additional procedural requirement on potential construction
in the affected areas and the possibility that such action
-may n.ot be necessary where the City Council already exercises
sufficient-control. as in"the case of the Redevelopment Project
Area anal Palisades Park...
Recommendation
In the interests of involving the smallest area necessary
and-still assure Council review of potential construction in
the beachfront area, it is respectfully recommended that the
Ci-cy Council select the third alternative. and establisH a morn-
torium area excluding Palisades Park and the Ocean Park Redevel-
opment Project.
Prepared by: James I,unsford
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RESOLUTION `75-1
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY PLANNING
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA
MONICA RECOMP'~NDING THAT THE CITY
COUNCIL ENACT A MORATORIUM ON FURTHER
DEVELOPMENT IN THE BEACHFRONT AREAS
THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
HEREBY',RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS the City of Santa Monica as well as other juris-
dictions are considering the development of plans relating to
future beachfront development which do not anticipate develop-
ment in accordance with the existing zoning patterns, and
WHEREAS the City Planning Commission believes the best
interests of the community would be served by limiting further
building until such time as the use regulations have been
brought into conformance with the completed plans,
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Planning Commission respectfully
recommends that the City Council consider imposing a 180 day
moratorium on the further issuance of building permits or
commencement of construction under existing permits in excess
of $5000 in value, excepting for required repair or maintenance,
in those areas of the city westerly of Ocean Avenue and Neilsois
Way unless such permit or construction is specifically approved
by the City Council.
DATED: January 20, 1975
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The Secretary of the City Planning Commission hereby
certifies that the Planning Commission approved the foregoing
recommendation by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners Cohen, Gould, Lonsinger, Malcolm,
Schneider, Roper
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioner Savage
Copies 'to:
.Manager: 5
Council: ']
Attorney: 1
City Clerk: 1
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