Yes, we want affordable housing -- but please don't encourage people to demolish our homes.

Santa Monica voters in 1990 supported Proposition R, requiring 30% of all new housing to be affordable.

Now, in reaction to shifting state law and local lawsuits, Santa Monica is examining various housing law changes that could force residents out of existing affordable apartments.

Neighborhoods across the city first were up in arms about suggested "state density bonus" increases in building heights and allowable units per site, with attendant impacts on traffic and especially parking.

Could the promise of more rentable units per lot induce owners to tear down still-viable affordable housing, to build denser new apartments with only 30% mandated "affordable"?

That would be a net LOSS of affordable housing!

City consultant studies seek to assure us relatively few properties would be affected... but people, our neighbors, live on those properties.

Housing may be "recycled," but what about residents?

Those on limited or fixed incomes would almost certainly be forced out of our city.

PUBLIC WORKSHOP

The Planning Commission accepted an offer from Santa Monica's neighborhood groups to host a citywide public workshop.

On Saturday, March 21st, from 10am to 1pm, a panel of experts will hear concerns and answer questions at the Ken Edwards Center.

Don't miss your chance to be heard on policies that could affect your ability to continue living in Santa Monica!

For updated workshop information, call your neighborhood group at 450-5578.

MORE HOUSING CHANGES

Mandated inclusionary housing in Santa Monica is about to be supplanted with in-lieu fees, again in reaction to changing state legislation and developer lawsuits.

Rather than build lower-rent units on-site, builders will be able to pay a compensatory fee the City can use for affordable housing elsewhere.

If the fees are set too high, development of new housing might be impeded. If too low, existing affordable housing might be replaced prematurely.

The Board of Directors of the Wilshire/Montana Neighborhood Coalition supports, by unanimous vote, a City housing policy that promotes and supports affordable housing, without encouraging the "recycling" of viable existing housing in established residential neighborhoods.

Fee differentials and zoning incentives could preserve existing housing stock while allowing the replacement of run-down buildings and the expansion of housing, including affordable housing, into areas not now primarily residential.

HERE COMES THE BUCK

The mind-boggling complexities seem beyond the comprehension of a regular resident. Yet it is regular residents who will be most hurtfully and irrevocably impacted if unwise choices are made.

Leadership is needed.

Communities change. Change keeps the social and economic fabric vital and vibrant.

Our challenge is to manage change such that resident lives are not unfairly disrupted.

This is the responsibility of a compassionate City Council.

ST. JOHN'S

First, though, starting March 17th, the Council wrestles with serious questions regarding development of a new St. John's Hospital campus in the heart of our city.

Many of us in the community support the hospital AND question the wisdom of the proposed plan.

Immediate neighbors will be hurt. One doesn't have to be anti-progress to have respect for residents.

Traffic and congestion mitigations unfulfilled go far beyond the emergency room entrance concerns of Arizona Avenue neighbors.

Santa Monica child care and social service communities are rightfully worried by indications St. John's may retreat from existing levels of cooperative involvement, down to the average level of all Catholic hospitals in California.

NON-PROFIT FOREVER?

Could the property, once developed, be converted from non-profit to for-profit use, as is happening with many other such hospitals?

What would this mean for promised community benefits, which have encouraged our city to waive public works and other commitments normally required from a project of such magnitude and impact?

FREE EMAIL!

If Aunt Tillie in Boise has electronic mail, prepare for an online family reunion.

Santa Monica now provides a free Internet email gateway for all who live, work or go to school in our city.

Just register for your account on PEN, Santa Monica's Public Electronic Network. No set-up fees, no ongoing charges.

Phone PEN at 458-8381. Tell Keith or Roslyn that Kevin sent you. It's free even if you don't mention my name.

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