SANTA MONICA — The Planning and Community Development Department announced the release of the Draft Zoning Ordinance and will be holding meetings on January 8, 15, 22 and February 5. The Draft is a document that is meant to evaluate any environmental consequences of the Zoning Ordinance Update.
A zoning ordinance is a law that divides a city into districts and specifies what kinds of land use are allowed or forbidden in each zone. The Santa Monica Zoning Ordinance Update is a project that is intended to improve the city’s Zoning Ordinance by implementing the policies of the city’s Land Use and Circulation Elements (LUCE), which comprise Santa Monica’s plan made in July 2010 to establish the city’s vision for urban design, land use and transportation for the next 20 years.
The Zoning Ordinance Update seeks to properly classify ways to develop and use the land and its structures throughout the city. The update also seeks to make the Ordinance easier to use and understand and more relevant to current concerns. Goals include conserving smaller-scale commercial areas and maintaining the low-density limits of the city’s neighborhoods.
Residential areas will offer retail and services that are meant to serve the individual neighborhood and be within walking distance within the neighborhood. Buildings will be designed in a manner that emphasizes character, quality and context. Other benefits include more affordable housing, improved parking and more incentives to carpool, ride bicycles, walk and use mass transit.
Planning Commission meetings will be held to discuss the Draft Zoning Ordinance; the first two meetings took place on December 11 and 18. The purpose of the first meeting was to discuss general terms and introductory provisions, and the purpose of the second was to discuss administration, permits and residential neighborhoods. The January meetings will revolve around discussing general regulations and other related provisions. In the last meeting in February, recommendations will be given for improving the Zoning Ordinance and making amendments to LUCE, as well as assessing any environmental effects. The Zoning Ordinance Update is the first major revision to the Ordinance in Santa Monica since 1988. City Council will review and discuss the update in the winter 2014.
