NOMA MEETING THURSDAY 3/5/15

The next regular meeting of NOMA will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2015 at the Montana Branch Library from 6:30 PM until 8:55 PM. Light refreshments will be served from 6:30 until 7 PM.
Read agenda here.

CA Incline Project

Report from Project Manager Curtis Castle
http://www.smnoma.org/noma-news/california-incline-project


Get the 411 on CA Incline Construction
City planners providing updates on California Incline, Colorado Esplanade

We know you probably have construction fatigue, but now isn't the time to tune out. About to begin are two major public construction projects that will change the face of Downtown Santa Monica for generations to come. City officials would like to give you the latest information on the creation of the Colorado Esplanade and replacement of the California Incline so that you can adjust your commute, warn employees or customers about the coming detours and street closures. 

When: Thursday, March 5, 2015 
Where: Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. Headquarters 
1351 Third Street Promenade, Suite 201 (Above Barney's Beanery) 
Time: 11:30 a.m. 
Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. 
Please RSVP to marketing@downtownsm.com
Questions? Call 310.393.8355

LA Marathon on Sunday March 15, 2015

On Sunday, March 15, 2015 the City of Santa Monica welcomes back runners and spectators for the ASICS LA Marathon. For the sixth year in a row, the “Stadium to the Sea” course will enter Santa Monica heading westbound on San Vicente Blvd., then southbound on Ocean Avenue to finish at California and Ocean Avenues.

Every year the City works with ASICS LA Marathon organizers to develop a comprehensive parking and transportation management plan for the event, which balances the needs of participants, spectators and regular Sunday visitors and residents. Last year brought a significant change with the addition of the Reunion Area, set up by the Santa Monica Police Department at the finish line. The Reunion Area will be implemented this year as well, on Ocean Ave stretching from Santa Monica Blvd to Colorado. Visitors can enter the Reunion Area after passing through security. Entrance points will be at Santa Monica Blvd, Broadway and Colorado. There have been no significant changes planned for this year.

For more information, see the flier or visit www.smgov.net/lamarathon.

Melissa Lindley, Community Relations Coordinator, City of Santa Monica
(310) 458-8301
melissa.lindley@smgov.net
www.smconstructs.org

City Council Agenda

Next Meeting: March 17, 2015
Agenda coming soon.
Upcoming Meetings: March 24, 2015

New Zoning Code Policy-Level Study Session - April 14 & 15

Planning Commission Agenda

Next Meeting: March 4, 2015
Agenda coming soon.
Upcoming Meetings: March 18, 2015

Santa Monica Water Resources Report

From the December 4, 2014 Meeting
Click here to watch the presentation.
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Urban Forest Management Presentation To NOMA

Click here to read the 15-page report.

Santa Monica Water Conservation Plan Update

http://www.smgov.net/Main/News_Tab/Santa_Monica_City_Council_Advances_Immediate_Drought_Response.aspx

Courtyard Housing Study

SAN VICENTE APARTMENTS - COURTYARD HOUSING STUDY
Study of proposed establishment of a Neighborhood Conservation District for a concentration of courtyard apartment buildings on San Vicente Blvd. between Ocean Avenue and 7th Street.
Review the 2009 study here.

Commercial Fitness or Athletic Instruction, Classes or Camps
Community Survey Results

Click here to read the questions and answers of 104 community respondents.

The Revolution Will Be Televised

By Charles Andrews on June 18, 2014 in Opinion


Are we NIMBYs? Are we actually “no growth?”

Speaking for myself, I have to say at this point — maybe.

Some admit, proudly but with thoughtfulness, that if being against this or that bad project is being a NIMBY, then so be it. Not (that too-dense, no green space, not enough parking, no water, traffic-snarling tower) In My Back Yard, thank you. Put it next to the Staples Center.

I have not yet heard anyone admit to being No Growth. Slow growth, reasonable growth, appropriate, sustainable, selective growth, but No Growth is hard to defend.


Click here to read the full story>>
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Letter from NOMA to Santa Monica Planning Commission


To: Santa Monica Planning Commission
From: North of Montana Association
Re: Agenda Item 5-A; Draft Zoning Ordinance Update R-1 and Montana Avenue

Date: December 17, 2013

The Board of Directors of the North of Montana Association is distressed to learn that the Planning Commission is discussing proposals that would allow day care centers in residential neighborhoods and Increase the threshold for Development Review for Montana Avenue from 5,000 sq. ft. to 10,000 sq. ft.

We strongly urge that the Planning Commission do the following:

A.    Maintain R-1 district zoning for only single family homes. The LUCE calls for a “range of housing options … in multi-family neighborhoods, to suit the spectrum of individual lifestyles and space needs.” It does not call for adding housing options to single family neighborhoods.

B.   Remove day care centers from the proposed R-1 zoning. The LUCE directs us to “Preserve and protect existing neighborhoods against potential impacts related to development: traffic, noise, air quality, and encroachment of commercial activities.” (emphasis added.)  The LUCE does not call for day care centers in residential neighborhoods. Commercial enterprises need to be located in commercial or mixed use neighborhoods. The zoning must be consistent with these policies.

C.    Maintain the existing threshold for Development Review for Montana Avenue at 5,000 sq. ft. Doubling this threshold to 10,000 sq. ft. would erode the character of this quaint and charming street.

NOMA JOINS CITYWIDE OPPOSITION
TO HINES PROPOSAL FOR BERGAMOT


November 20, 2013 -- The board of directors of the North of Montana Association (NOMA) today voted unanimously to oppose the current proposal for development of the Bergamot site. We see the proposed project as far too big and too dense for the site, and we feel that it would cause unacceptable traffic problems that would degrade the quality of life of both the immediate neighborhood and the city as a whole.

In a recent meeting with officials from the development firm Hines, the company's proposal was opposed by representatives of all the city's neighborhood organizations, Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMMRR), and Santa Monicans for a Liveable City (SMCLC). 

See the full text of our letter to the Planning Commission here.

NOMA BACKS EFFORT TO SAVE 'CHAIN REACTION'

At its November 2013  meeting, the board of NOMA voted to support the effort to save "Chain Reaction," the landmarked Santa Monica statue designed by Pulitzer Prize winning Los Angeles cartoonist Paul Conrad.  

Attached here is a message from the organizers of www.savechainreaction.com, with information on how to sign the petition, donate, and spread the word.
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Help Save Our Sculpture

Paul Conrad's iconic Chain Reaction public art sculpture located next to the Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica belongs to ALL of us.

But it may not be there for much longer. The City plans to scrap this significant work of art by Pulitzer Prize winning LA Times cartoonist and sculptor Paul Conrad if $400,000 is not raised by Feb. 1, 2014 to save it.  This Santa Monica landmarked sculpture is recognized by the Smithsonian Institution as important and supported by the Los Angeles Conservancy and the Santa Monica Conservancy.  Its message of peace remains relevant today.

That is why we are urging you to help save Chain Reaction.

If Chain Reaction disappears, we lose:
  • an irreplaceable work of public art 
  • a monument to peace and nuclear disarmament 
  • a Santa Monica landmark
Here’s how you can BE A LINK in saving Chain Reaction:

·      DONATE: rally.org/savechainreaction.com

·      SIGN THE PETITION: www.change.org/petitions/santa-monica-city-council-restore-and-preserve-paul-conrad-s-public-landmark-chain-reaction   

·      SPREAD THE WORD: www.facebook.com/SaveChainReaction

Find more information here: www.savechainreaction.com 

SUSPECT HELD IN MONTANA AVE. BREAK-INS; 
NOMA CREDITED WITH RAISING ALARM

November 15, 2013 -- Santa Monica police have arrested a suspect in the recent rash of smash-and-grab burglaries on Montana Avenue, and are continuing to investigate. 

Writing in Surfsantamonica.com, Jason Islas reports that Ronald Perkins, 55, was arrested Thursday. "At this time (Perkins) has been arrested in connection with the burglaries,” SMPD Spokesperson Sergeant Jay Moroso told The Lookout. “That doesn't mean that he's the only one out there.” 

In what merchants say is likely the biggest burglary spree on Montana Avenue in more than three decades, six stores were targeted between November 6 and 11. The stores had their windows smashed and their cash registers broken open. SMPD sources told NOMA that two similar burglaries occurred on Lincoln Boulevard and Main Street in the same time frame.

Islas noted that the rash of break-ins roused the concern of the North of Montana Association (NOMA), which interviewed area merchants and sent out email alerts urging neighbors to be vigilant.

Several merchants told NOMA they are concerned that criminals are targeting the neighborhood because Santa Monica Police Department staffing patterns are concentrating patrols in downtown areas and at the pier, away from Montana Avenue. 


WAVE OF BREAK-INS REPORTED ON MONTANA AVENUE

November 11, 2013

Dear NOMA members and friends, 

We at NOMA have learned that there has been a rash of break-ins on Montana Ave. over the past week, and we'd like to alert everyone to be aware and vigilant of what is going on around you.

After talking with merchants, we have learned that there were five break-ins on Wednesday and Thursday of last week. In each of those cases, someone broke through a door or window, gained access to a store and made away with between $100 and $200 in cash. The stores hit last week were Number One Beauty, Andrew's Cheese, Palmetto, SemiPrecious and Citron. 

Jack Tour, who has owned Number One Beauty for 28 years, said his store was robbed at about 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning, November 6. The other four stores were robbed between approximately 2 and 4 a.m. on Thursday, November 7. 

Then, Sunday night, another store was hit: Cheeky Chic, a pop-up store at 1624 Montana Avenue. After gaining entry by smashing the glass in the front door, someone stole designer leather goods with a retail value estimated at about $4,000. 

Montana merchants are saying that this is the largest sweep of burglaries on stores along the avenue that anyone can remember over the past thirty years. Several said they are concerned that criminals are targeting the neighborhood because Santa Monica Police Department staffing patterns are concentrating patrols in downtown areas, away from Montana Avenue. 

Scott McGee. the Santa Monica Police Department's neighborhood resource officer for our area, tells us there have also been at least one recent window smash burglary each on Wilshire and on Main Street. Officer McGee says officers are coming in outside of their normal working hours to work these cases. "It's important to us and just a matter of time" before the suspect or suspects are apprehended, he said. 

We will provide additional details as we get them. Neighbors are advised to notify police promptly if they notice anything suspicious. Dial 911 in an emergency; otherwise, the Santa Monica Police Department's non-emergency number is: 310-458-8491.


CLICK HERE to see previous NOMA Bulletins. 

Contact us at nomaboard@gmail.com

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