SR 09-27-2022 12B
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: September 27, 2022
Agenda Item: 12.B
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Rick Valte, Public Works Director, Public Works, Engineering and Street
Services
Subject: Adoption of a Resolution and a Public Hearing to Approve the Establishment
of a Pedestrian Mall on a Portion of First Court between Santa Monica
Boulevard and Arizona Avenue; and Introduction and First Reading of an
Ordinance modifying section 3.36.150 formally declaring First Court
Promenade as a pedestrian mall and prohibiting vehicular traffic thereon
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Hold a public hearing, receive public comment, and approve establishment of a
pedestrian mall along a southern portion of 1st Court between Santa Monica
Boulevard and Arizona Avenue (“First Court Promenade”); and
2. Confirm the determination that the environmental impacts regarding the
establishment of First Court Promenade were analyzed in the Final
Environmental Impact Report certified by City Council on July 14, 2022; and
3. Adopt the attached resolution ordering the establishment of First Court
Promenade.
4. Introduce an ordinance for first reading modifying section 3.36.150 of Chapter 3
of the Santa Monica Municipal Code to formally declare First Court Promenade
as a pedestrian mall; and prohibit vehicular traffic thereon.
Summary
On May 24, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 11420 declaring its intention
to establish a pedestrian mall in Santa Monica’s Downtown District along a southern
portion of First Court between Santa Monica Boulevard and Arizona Avenue. A public
hearing date of September 27, 2022 was set for this consideration. This proposed
pedestrian mall is an integral part of the Ocean Avenue Project Development
Agreement (“Project”) that was approved by the Council on July 14, 2022, and
subsequently approved via Ordinance 2710 (CCS) on July 26, 2022. The proposed
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pedestrian mall would remain as a public right-of-way that is designated for pedestrian
use, improving the overall pedestrian experience, and would better integrate the Project
into the larger Downtown multi-modal circulation network to further activate the western
and northern edges of the Downtown area. As part of the Project, the northern portion of
the First Court alley would also be reconfigured to maintain vehicular access, allowing
exit onto 2nd Street.
Background
The Pedestrian Mall Law of 1960, California Streets and Highways Code Sections
11000 et seq. (the “Pedestrian Mall Law”), authorizes municipalities to close streets to
vehicular traffic and establish pedestrian malls. The City of Santa Monica (“City”) used
this law to establish the Third Street Mall in 1963 to create a pedestrian zone that has
added to the vitality and vibrancy of Downtown Santa Monica. The Third Street Mall (the
“Promenade”) has served the public interest during the past sixty years while allowing
for better multi-modal circulation in the Downtown District.
Discussion
On May 24, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 11420 declaring its intention
to establish a pedestrian mall in Santa Monica’s Downtown District along a southern
portion of First Court between Santa Monica Boulevard and Arizona Avenue (the “First
Court Promenade”). City Council considered and approved the Ocean Avenue Project
Development Agreement on July 14, 2022. State law requires a public hearing to be
held 90 days following the approved resolution of intention, thus the public hearing for
final consideration would be held on September 27, 2022. This public hearing is
required for Council to conduct a final determination to establish First Court Promenade
as a pedestrian mall. A first reading of an ordinance (Attachment G) would establish a
pedestrian mall, known as the First Court Promenade, and prohibit vehicles, except for
emergency, utility, and/or maintenance/service vehicles.
Key considerations for establishment of First Court Promenade as a pedestrian mall
included confirming that the Project developer owns all property abutting the southern
portion of First Court between Santa Monica Boulevard and Arizona Avenue. Once
developed, that portion of First Court alley adjacent to the Project Site would be
prioritized for pedestrian use by establishment of First Court Promenade as a
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pedestrian mall. Once established, First Court Promenade would necessitate the
rerouting of southbound vehicular travel on First Court to Second Street (rather than to
Santa Monica Boulevard) via a new midblock, one-way, east-bound connection as
depicted in Figure 1. This redirected portion of the public alley would be located on
private property. With the establishment of the proposed pedestrian mall, First Court
would remain a public right-of-way. The Developer is obligated to clean, repair and
maintain the surface of the Pedestrian Mall and its improvements as provided in the
Development Agreement for the Project.
Figure 1 - Map showing the proposed pedestrian mall along First Court adjacent to
Santa Monica Boulevard
Process for Establishment of the Proposed Pedestrian Mall
The pedestrian mall Act requires the City to notify the public, including potentially
affected property owners and tenants, prior to the City Council’s ultimate decision
whether to establish the pedestrian mall.
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Council approved the Resolution of Intention to establish a pedestrian mall along First
Court on May 24, 2022, which was the required first step in the process. The City
recorded said document with the Los Angeles County Recorder Office (Attachment A).
The public hearing date of September 27, 2022, was set for City Council to make a
decision on the establishment of the proposed pedestrian mall, including hearing any
protests or objections and claims relating to the establishment of the pedestrian mall.
Public Outreach
Following adoption of the Resolution of Intent to establish the pedestrian mall at the
May 24, 2022 meeting, City staff provided notices of the proposed pedestrian mall and
September 27, 2022 public hearing date, as further described, below.
The City Engineer posted and mailed the approved Resolution of Intent, and recorded
the Resolution of Intent with the County of Los Angeles Recorder, as required by
Streets and Highways Code. Specific milestones include:
1. On June 6, 2022 - within the 30-day period following the May 24, 2022 City
Council meeting - the Resolution of Intent was recorded with the Los Angeles
County Recorder.
2. On June 23, 2022 - at least 90 days prior to the September 27, 2022 City
Council public hearing - copies of the recorded notice were posted.
3. On July 28, 2022 - at least 45 days prior to the September 27, 2022 City
Council public hearing - a public notice including a copy of the recorded
Resolution of Intent was mailed to surrounding properties adjacent to the
project site along Ocean Avenue, Arizona Avenue, 2nd Street and Santa Monica
Boulevard.
4. In addition to the required noticing described above, a notice of public hearing
was published in the Santa Monica Daily Press 10 days prior to the September
27, 2022 City Council public hearing.
5. A notice was emailed to utility companies on August 29, 2022.
Other Considerations/Legal Requirements
The City does not intend to form an assessment district to pay for the proposed
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improvements, and instead would require the Project developer to improve and maintain
the proposed pedestrian mall to the City’s satisfaction.
Environmental Review
The establishment of a proposed pedestrian mall is part of the Ocean Avenue Project
Development Agreement that was analyzed under the California Environmental Quality
Act (“CEQA”). At a public hearing on July 14, 2022, the City Council took the following
actions: 1) Affirm that the Ocean Avenue Project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to
Section 15182 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; 2)
Certified the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared for the Project in
compliance with CEQA (Resolution 11442 (CCS)); and 3) Adopted a Statement of
Overriding Considerations based upon the Final EIR and adopted a Mitigation
Monitoring and Reporting Program; (Resolution 11443 (CCS)).
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
06/12/2018
(Attachment B)
Preliminary review and discussion of the updated design
concept for a new mixed-use development project consisting
of commercial, hotel, museum, and residential uses,
including the retention and rehabilitation of two City-
designated Landmark buildings at the property located at
101 Santa Monica Boulevard (Development Agreement
Application 13DEV-004)
05/24/2022
(Attachment C)
Adoption of a Resolution Declaring Intention to Establish a
pedestrian mall on a Portion of First Court Between Santa
Monica Boulevard and Arizona Avenue.
07/14/2022 and
7/26/2022
(Attachments
D and E)
Adoption of Resolutions and Introduction and First Reading
of an Ordinance to approve the Ocean Avenue Project
Development Agreement on July 14, 2022;
Adoption of Ordinance 2710 (CCS) on Second Reading
approving the Ocean Avenue Project Development
Agreement on July 26, 2022.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the
recommended actions. Future surface improvements to the area proposed for
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pedestrian mall designation and proposed pedestrian protection devices (such as
bollards) would be installed and maintained by the developer. The developer would
maintain the proposed pedestrian mall pursuant to the terms of the development
agreement and maintenance agreement for the Project.
Prepared By: Joshua Carvalho, Civil Engineer
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Recorded Resolution of Intention to Establish a Pedestrian Mall
B. June 12, 2018 City Council Meeting
C. May 24, 2022 City Council Meeting
D. July 14, 2022 City Council Meeting
E. July 26, 2022 City Council Meeting
F. Resolution for the Establishment of a Pedestrian Mall
G. Ordinance modifying section: 3.36.150
H. Written Comment
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City Council Meeting: September 27, 2022 Santa Monica, California
RESOLUTION NO. ____ (CCS)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
ESTABLISHING A PEDESTRIAN MALL ON A PORTION OF FIRST COURT
BETWEEN SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD AND ARIZONA AVENUE, IN THE CITY OF
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA
WHEREAS, the Pedestrian Mall Law of 1960, California Streets and Highways
Code Sections 11000 et seq. (the “Pedestrian Mall Law”), authorizes municipalities to
close streets to vehicular traffic and to establish pedestrian malls; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Monica (“City”) established the Third Street Mall in
1963 to create a pedestrian zone that has added to the vitality and vibrancy of
Downtown Santa Monica and which has served the public interest and not unduly
inconvenienced vehicular traffic; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Land Use and Circulation Element of its General Plan (the
“LUCE”) designates the properties located in Santa Monica’s Downtown District on the
north side of Santa Monica Boulevard between Ocean Avenue and Second Street
commonly known as 101 Santa Monica Boulevard, 1337 Ocean Avenue, 1333 Ocean
Avenue, 1327 Ocean Avenue and 129 Santa Monica Boulevard (the “Project Site”) as a
site to focus new investment given its accessibility to transit and ability to accommodate
mixed-use development, contribute to the pedestrian-oriented environment, and support
substantial community benefits (LUCE Policy D1.5); and
WHEREAS, the LUCE states to “[p]rioritize pedestrian environment above all
other modes” in the Downtown District (LUCE, p. 4.0-18) and LUCE Policy B4.14 is to
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“discourage north-south alley access to Santa Monica Boulevard and explore alternative
routing;” and
WHEREAS, LUCE Policy D9.6 is to “improve the aesthetic appearance of the
alleys, and where appropriate incorporate the alleys into the pedestrian system;” and
WHEREAS, the City’s Downtown Community Plan (“DCP”), a specific plan
governing the Downtown District, designates the Project Site as one of three
Established Large Sites that have the potential to accommodate significant new
development and provide significant community benefits (DCP p. 30 and Illustration 4.1
Downtown Districts, p. 174); and
WHEREAS, BELLE VUE PLAZA, a California limited partnership, and OCEAN
AVENUE PARTNERS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, collectively the
owners of the Project Site (“Project Developer”) has proposed to develop the Project
Site with a mixed-use housing, hotel, cultural uses, and retail/restaurant project, which
incorporates two City-designated landmarks and includes publicly-accessible open
space (the “Project”); and
WHEREAS, the Project Site is located on both the west and east side of First
Court, an approximately 20’-wide, north-south public alley connecting Arizona Avenue
(on the north) to Santa Monica Boulevard (on the south) that currently allows for one-
way vehicular travel southbound from Arizona Avenue to Santa Monica Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, the Project proposes to re-route southbound vehicular travel on First
Court to Second Street (rather than Santa Monica Boulevard) via a new east-west
public alley to be located on the northern portion of the Project Site, (the “Re-Routed
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First Court”) pursuant to the terms of a Development Agreement for the Project and an
easement agreement for the Re-Routed First Court public alley; and
WHEREAS, in order to facilitate pedestrian access in the public right-of-way
adjacent to the Project Site, on May 24, 2022, the City council declared its intention to
establish a new pedestrian mall on a portion of First Court adjacent to the Project Site,
between Santa Monica Boulevard and Arizona Avenue, as described and shown on
Exhibits A and B (the “First Court Promenade”); and
WHEREAS, on July 26, 2022, the City Council approved the Development
Agreement for the Project; and
WHEREAS, consistent with LUCE and DCP policies, the First Court Promenade
will (a) allow for uninterrupted pedestrian access on the north sidewalk along Santa
Monica Boulevard between Second Street and Ocean Avenue and (b) connect to a
publicly-accessible pedestrian paseo in the Project providing pedestrian access through
the Project between Ocean Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard as well to the
elevators for the publicly-accessible observation deck pursuant to the terms of the
Development Agreement for the Project; and
WHEREAS, east-west through traffic on both Santa Monica Boulevard and
Arizona Avenue will be maintained; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Monica does not intend to form an assessment
district to pay for the proposed improvements and instead will require the Project
Developer to improve and maintain the proposed First Court Promenade pursuant to the
terms of a Development Agreement for the Project and an associated maintenance
agreement for the First Court Promenade; and
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WHEREAS, the City has complied with the noticing procedures required by the
Pedestrian Mall Law for the establishment of a pedestrian mall; and
WHEREAS, on September 27, 2022, the City Council held a duly noticed public
hearing to hear protests and objections to the establishment of the proposed First Court
Promenade and to review any claims of damages from those holding any legal or
equitable interest in any real property which might suffer legal damage by reason of the
establishment of the proposed First Court Promenade; and
WHEREAS, the City has not received any written objections from landowners
representing a majority of the frontage of the proposed First Court Promenade; and
WHEREAS, after considering all protests and objections, if any, the City Council
desires to adopt this resolution, establishing the First Court Promenade.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The above recitals are true and correct.
SECTION 2. Pursuant to the Pedestrian Mall Law, the City Council establishes
the First Court Promenade located on a portion of First Court between Santa Monica
Boulevard and Arizona Avenue, a general description of which is as follows: Fist Court
between the northwesterly line of Santa Monica Boulevard and a parallel line
approximately 141 feet northwesterly and 20 feet wide; and an area of approximately 20
ft south of the northwesterly line of Santa Monica Boulevard 30 feet wide as shown on
Exhibit B, subject to the conditions stated herein.
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SECTION 3. Santa Monica Boulevard and the portion of First Court located
between Santa Monica Boulevard and Arizona Avenue (the “Remaining First Court”) are
the only “intersecting streets," as defined Streets and Highways Code Section 11008.
SECTION 4. The intersection of First Court and Santa Monica Boulevard is the
only “mall intersection,” as defined in Streets and Highways Code Section 11007. East-
west vehicular access along Santa Monica Boulevard will remain open.
SECTION 5. The City Council determines that the public interest and
convenience require the establishment of the proposed First Court Promenade and that
vehicular traffic will not be unduly inconvenienced thereby because alternative vehicular
travel will be provided via the Re-Routed First Court prior to implementation of the First
Court Promenade.
SECTION 6. The City Council intends to adopt an ordinance prohibiting vehicular
travel on the proposed First Court Promenade except for emergency, utility, and/or
maintenance/service vehicles.
SECTION 7. Damages, if any, allowed or awarded to any property owner by
reason of the establishment of the proposed First Court Promenade will be paid solely
from funds provided by the Project Developer.
SECTION 8. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this Resolution, and
thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________
DOUGLAS SLOAN
City Attorney
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Adopted and approved this ___ day of _______ 2022.
___________________
Sue Himmelrich, Mayor
I, Denise Anderson-Warren, City Clerk of the City of Santa Monica, do hereby
certify that Resolution No. _____ (CCS) was duly adopted at a meeting of the Santa
Monica City Council held on the ___ day of ______ 2022, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Denise Anderson-Warren, City Clerk
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EXHIBIT A
LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED FIRST COURT PROMENADE
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EXHIBIT B
MAP OF PROPOSED FIRST COURT PROMENADE
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City Council Meeting: September 27, 2022 Santa Monica, California
ORDINANCE NO. ____ (CCS)
(City Council Series)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
MODIFYING SECTION 3.36.150 OF CHAPTER 3 OF THE SANTA MONICA
MUNICIPAL CODE, TO ESTABLISH THE FIRST COURT PROMENADE ON A
PORTION OF FIRST COURT BETWEEN SANTA MONICA BOULEVARD AND
ARIZONA AVENUE, IN THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA AS A
PEDESTRIAN MALL; AND PROHIBIT VEHICULAR TRAFFIC THEREON
WHEREAS, the Pedestrian Mall Law of 1960, California Streets and Highways
Code Sections 11000 et seq. (the “Pedestrian Mall Law”), authorizes municipalities to
close streets to vehicular traffic and to establish pedestrian malls; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Monica (“City”) established the Third Street Mall in
1963 to create a pedestrian zone that has added to the vitality and vibrancy of
Downtown Santa Monica and which has served the public interest and not unduly
inconvenienced vehicular traffic; and
WHEREAS, the City’s Land Use and Circulation Element of its General Plan (the
“LUCE”) designates the properties located in Santa Monica’s Downtown District on the
north side of Santa Monica Boulevard between Ocean Avenue and Second Street
commonly known as 101 Santa Monica Boulevard, 1337 Ocean Avenue, 1333 Ocean
Avenue, 1327 Ocean Avenue and 129 Santa Monica Boulevard (the “Project Site”) as a
site to focus new investment given its accessibility to transit and ability to accommodate
mixed-use development, contribute to the pedestrian-oriented environment, and support
substantial community benefits (LUCE Policy D1.5); and
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WHEREAS, the LUCE states to “[p]rioritize pedestrian environment above all
other modes” in the Downtown District (LUCE, p. 4.0-18) and LUCE Policy B4.14 is to
“discourage north-south alley access to Santa Monica Boulevard and explore alternative
routing;” and
WHEREAS, LUCE Policy D9.6 is to “improve the aesthetic appearance of the
alleys, and where appropriate incorporate the alleys into the pedestrian system;” and
WHEREAS, the City’s Downtown Community Plan (“DCP”), a specific plan
governing the Downtown District, designates the Project Site as one of three
Established Large Sites that have the potential to accommodate significant new
development and provide significant community benefits (DCP p. 30 and Illustration 4.1
Downtown Districts, p. 174); and
WHEREAS, BELLE VUE PLAZA, a California limited partnership, and OCEAN
AVENUE PARTNERS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, collectively the
owners of the Project Site (“Project Developer”) has proposed to develop the Project
Site with a mixed-use housing, hotel, cultural uses, and retail/restaurant project, which
incorporates two City-designated landmark and includes publicly-accessible open space
(the “Project”); and
WHEREAS, the Project Site is located on both the west and east side of First
Court, an approximately 20’-wide, north-south public alley connecting Arizona Avenue
(on the north) to Santa Monica Boulevard (on the south) that currently allows for one-
way vehicular travel southbound from Arizona Avenue to Santa Monica Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, the Project proposes to re-route southbound vehicular travel on First
Court to Second Street (rather than Santa Monica Boulevard) via a new east-west
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public alley to be located on the northern portion of the Project Site, (the “Re-Routed
First Court”) pursuant to the terms of a Development Agreement for the Project and an
easement agreement for the Re-Routed First Court public alley; and
WHEREAS, in order to facilitate pedestrian access in the public right-of-way
adjacent to the Project Site, on May 24, 2022, the City council declared its intention to
establish a new pedestrian mall on a portion of First Court adjacent to the Project Site,
between Santa Monica Boulevard and Arizona Avenue, as shown on Exhibits A and B
(the “First Court Promenade”); and
WHEREAS, on July 26, 2022, the City Council approved the Development
Agreement for the Project; and
WHEREAS, consistent with LUCE and DCP policies, the First Court Promenade
will (a) allow for uninterrupted pedestrian access on the north sidewalk along Santa
Monica Boulevard between Second Street and Ocean Avenue and (b) connect to a
publicly-accessible pedestrian paseo in the Project providing pedestrian access through
the Project between Ocean Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard as well to the
elevators for the publicly-accessible observation deck pursuant to the terms of the
Development Agreement for the Project; and
WHEREAS, east-west through traffic on both Santa Monica Boulevard and
Arizona Avenue will be maintained; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Monica does not intend to form an assessment
district to pay for the proposed improvements and instead will require the Project
Developer to improve and maintain the proposed First Court Promenade pursuant to the
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terms of a Development Agreement for the Project and an associated maintenance
agreement for the Pedestrian Mall; and
WHEREAS, on September 27, 2022, the City Council held a duly noticed public
hearing as set forth below to hear protests and objections to the establishment of the
proposed First Court Promenade and to review any claims of damages from those
holding any legal or equitable interest in any real property which might suffer legal
damage by reason of the establishment of the proposed First Court Promenade; and
WHEREAS, after considering all protests and objections, if any, the City Council
adopted Resolution No. _____ (CCS), establishing the First Court Promenade.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The above recitals are true and correct.
SECTION 2. Section 3.36.150 of the Santa Monica Municipal Code is amended,
as follows:
3.36.150 Pedestrian mall.
A. The Council does hereby declare and determine that a pedestrian mall, known
as the Third Street Promenade, is finally established under the Pedestrian Mall Law of
1960, and that a general description of said pedestrian mall is as follows:
Third Street between the southeasterly line of Wilshire Boulevard and the
northwesterly line of Arizona Avenue, and between the southeasterly line of Arizona
Avenue and the northwesterly line of Santa Monica Boulevard and between the
southeasterly line of Santa Monica Boulevard and the northwesterly line of Broadway.
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B. The Council does hereby declare and determine that a pedestrian mall, known
as the First Court Promenade, is finally established under the Pedestrian Mall Law of
1960, and that a general description of said pedestrian mall is as follows:
First Court between the northwesterly line of Santa Monica Boulevard and a
parallel line approximately 160 feet northwesterly and 20 feet wide; and an area of
approximately 20 ft south of the northwesterly line of Santa Monica Boulevard 30 feet
wide.
C. No vehicles shall be permitted on the First Court Promenade, except for
emergency, utility, and/or maintenance/service vehicles.
SECTION 3. Any provision of the Santa Monica Municipal Code or appendices
thereto inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance, to the extent of such
inconsistencies and no further, is hereby repealed or modified to that extent necessary
to effect the provisions of this Ordinance.
SECTION 4. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this
Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any
court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would
have passed this Ordinance and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause,
or phrase not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion
of the ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 5. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall attest to the passage
of this Ordinance. The City Clerk shall cause the same to be published once in the
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official newspaper within 15 days after its adoption. This Ordinance shall become
effective 30 days from its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________
DOUGLAS SLOAN
City Attorney
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Adopted and approved this ___ day of _______ 2022.
___________________
Sue Himmelrich, Mayor
I, Denise Anderson-Warren, City Clerk of the City of Santa Monica, do hereby
certify that Resolution No. _____ (CCS) was duly adopted at a meeting of the Santa
Monica City Council held on the ___ day of ______ 2022, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Denise Anderson-Warren, City Clerk
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EXHIBIT A
LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED FIRST COURT PROMENADE
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Packet Pg. 1113 Attachment: Ordinance modifying section: 3.36.150 [Revision 1] (5295 : Adoption of a Resolution and Public Hearing to establish a pedestrian
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EXHIBIT B
MAP OF PROPOSED FIRST COURT PROMENADE
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Packet Pg. 1114 Attachment: Ordinance modifying section: 3.36.150 [Revision 1] (5295 : Adoption of a Resolution and Public Hearing to establish a pedestrian
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Packet Pg. 1115 Attachment: Ordinance modifying section: 3.36.150 [Revision 1] (5295 : Adoption of a Resolution and Public Hearing to establish a pedestrian
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Vernice Hankins
From:Janna Boelke <JannaB@worthe.com>
Sent:Monday, September 26, 2022 11:59 AM
To:Sue Himmelrich; Kristin McCowan; Gleam Davis; Phil Brock; Christine Parra; Lana Negrete;
councilmtgitems
Cc:Roxanne Tanemori; David Martin; Joshua Carvalho; Jeff Worthe
Subject:Re: Agenda Item 12.B, Establishment of Pedestrian Mall in Connection with Ocean Avenue Hotel
Project
EXTERNAL
This email is being sent on behalf of Jeff Worthe.
Mayor Himmelrich and Honorable Councilmembers –
As you know, on June 14, 2022, after many years of community input and with overwhelming public support, the Council
unanimously (6‐0) approved the Development Agreement for our Frank Gehry‐designed Ocean Avenue Project). An
important component of the Project is creation of ground‐level open spaces that enhance the pedestrian experience
into and throughout the Project. This includes re‐routing vehicular traffic through a new alley to be located on the
northern side of the Project Site to 2nd Street and the creation of a walkable First Court Promenade (a "pedestrian
mall") on the southern portion of First Court Alley leading to Santa Monica Blvd. You have already approved the Project
including this concept, and the next step is to approve the resolution and ordinance required to establish the pedestrian
mall.
As detailed in the Staff Report, the proposed pedestrian mall will significantly enhance the pedestrian experience by
eliminating conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians on this very active segment of Santa Monica Boulevard between
2nd Street and Ocean Avenue. Please also note that we have agreed to be financially responsible for all construction and
ongoing maintenance costs for the First Court Promenade and the new alley connecting to 2nd Street (as documented in
the development agreement).
We sincerely appreciate the City Council’s ongoing support for the Project and its recognition of the benefits it will bring
to the City of Santa Monica. Thanks for your consideration of this important next step to implement the Project.
Jeff Worthe
Janna M. Boelke | Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs
Worthe Real Estate Group
100 Wilshire Blvd Suite 1600
Santa Monica, CA 90401
o (310) 393-9653
JannaB@worthe.com | worthe.com
Item 12.B 09/27/22
1 of 1 Item 12.B 09/27/22
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Packet Pg. 1116 Attachment: Written Comment (5295 : Adoption of a Resolution and Public Hearing to establish a pedestrian mall on 1st Ct)