As city developments may transform the look of Santa Monica, some officials are concerned of developers that may make changes to their city. City Manager Rick Cole wants building projects to be under a unified code that preserves the existing look of Santa Monica. Cole has called for a halt on all new development projects in down Santa Monica until the city council approves the new Downtown Specific Plan.
According to Curbed, the Downtown Specific Plan in Santa Monica has been in the works for several years now which brings hope to end the fierce battles over new developments in the city. Under the plan, projects must meet the DSP's guidelines, with the control of traffic congestion and keeping buildings short enough to have "access to light and ocean breezes."
Under the current system, new developments are approved on a case to case basis, and slight modifications in design could easily get approval just under the wire. With the new DSP's guidelines in place, building requirements will be standardized and developers will know the right thing to do in accordance with the guidelines of the planning commission.
The Downtown Specific Plan has broad planning ordinances to come. At the city council meeting, there was a recommendation to create an Access Getaway Master Plan that will manage development plans on the land to the east of downtown. That plan would scrutinize and look into the possibility of capping portions of the 10 Freeway to link downtown Santa Monica with neighborhoods to the east making sure that it still provides access to light and ocean breezes.
Santa Monica Daily Press said at the request of City Manager Rick Cole, new developments in downtown Santa Monica will be put on hold pending approval of the Downtown Specific Plan.
The new plan as envisioned by Cole and David Martin, director of Planning & Community Development, will focus city staff to temporarily delay action on most commercial projects while prioritizing the implementation of the DSP.