**URGENT**
749 17th St. Development
The proposed development at 17th Street and Montana Avenue has received City Planning staff approval and will be heard at the Monday, July 21 Architectural Review Board meeting. (Meeting starts at 7pm in City Council Chambers.) This hearing has been re-scheduled multiple times due to neighborhood concerns raised about the development’s impact on public safety, traffic, parking, as well as density concerns. The City review process has concluded though issues remain regarding the safety of single-lane underground parking entrance from Montana, loading area access on 17th Street, density issues related to the design, and aesthetic issues for trash storage and other issues. Interested residents should attend the ARB hearing if they have concerns and/or contact City Planning Manager Eileen Fogarty at eileen.fogarty@smgov.net
Carob Tree Removal
The city has been removing 98 carob trees in our neighborhood. These trees were deemed “most risky” by HortScience (using a methodology that NOMA finds questionable). The city has completed its re-evaluation of an additional 200 trees slated for removal. We do not have access to this report despite NOMA’s requests. We do not want to be surprised at the last minute that our trees are coming down. Please email or call city council and demand resident participation in the plans for the remaining 200 trees. The importance of this extends beyond the carobs. This is just the beginning -- each species of mature trees is going to be evaluated in our neighborhood. Let's fight for a sensible policy that doesn't remove all large trees from our streets.
OTHER NEWS
NOMA Board Meeting
The NOMA Board will have its summer meeting on Wednesday, July 23 at 6:30pm at the Montana Ave. branch library. This is a meeting for Board members to discuss and vote on items of interest to our neighborhood, but residents are welcome to attend. The agenda will include a presentation by Assistant City manager Kate Vernez; an update on the 749 17th St. development; and an update about the carob tree removal situation.
Limiting Traffic in Santa Monica
A group of residents has filed the “Residents’ Initiative to Fight Traffic” for the November ballot. The measure would seek to control traffic by establishing an annual limit on commercial development. Residential development would not be affected. For more information, go to www.smrift.com or call 310-395-8044.
Homelessness
The city recently held a meeting outlining efforts to curb panhandling. The aim of the program is to educate residents about the benefits of donating to service providers as opposed to giving to a panhandler. The belief is that this campaign will direct compassionate giving to programs that can make a real difference in the lives of the homeless, while giving to a panhandler only supports another day on the street. Interested residents should go to http://www01.smgov.net/hsd/articles/1hhomelessfaqs.htm to learn more about the city's broad efforts to deal with the homeless issue. More resident involvement is needed. |
