Safety & Trust: Residents Demand Transparent Process for Developments
June 4, 2024
Attn: Mayor Phil Brock phil.brock@santamonica.gov
Attn: Mayor Pro Tem Lana Negrete lana.negrete@santamonica.gov
Attn: Councilmember Gleam Davis gleam.davis@santamonica.gov
Attn: Councilmember Christine Parra christine.parra@santamonica.gov
Attn: Councilmember Jesse Zwick jesse.zwick@santamonica.gov
Attn: Councilmember Caroline Torosis Caroline.Torosis@santamonica.gov
Attn: Councilmember Oscar de la Torre oscar.delatorre@santamonica.gov
Attn: David White, City Manager, david.white@santamonica.gov
Attn: David Martin, Planning Director david.Martin@santamonica.gov
Dear Mayor Phil Brock, Mayor Pro Tem Lana Negrete, Council Members, City Manager David White, and Planning Director David Martin,
We, the residents of Mid-Wilshire, are writing this petition to express our deep concerns about the proposed housing developments at 1211-1217 14th St., 1217 Euclid St., and 1146 16th St.
While we understand the critical need for affordable housing and the challenges posed by the CA state mandate, we strongly believe that these projects, as currently planned without changes, will have severe negative impacts on the safety, livability, and character of our cherished neighborhood.
As engaged community members, we were dismayed by the lack of meaningful and timely outreach about these proposals. Many of us received no notice of the recent community meetings, despite the significant scale of these developments and their proximity to one another. The meetings, hosted by the Hollywood Community Housing Corporation, that did occur felt more like a sales pitch for a predetermined solution rather than a genuine opportunity for dialogue and collaboration. We didn’t get to hear the proposal from BRIDGE Housing Corporation, the runner-up proposal.
What we are most concerned about:
- Deepening community safety crisis in the neighborhood. Proposed placement of a homeless support housing complex at 1217 Euclid, complete with on-site mental health and drug support services, in the heart of our residential area and near Lincoln Middle School. Parents of students from Lincoln Middle School were not notified of this development. With the city already grappling with a crisis of violent crime often associated with homelessness and mental illness, we fear for the safety of our children, our homes and our community.
- Dramatically worsen the parking situation. The proposed elimination of public parking spaces, which are essential to both residents, local businesses, UCLA hospital and places of worship. This directly contradicts the city's own Request for Proposals (RFP) and the clear direction from the City Council and staff.
- The lack of transparency and meaningful engagement. City is rushing these projects forward and relying too heavily on outside developers and contractors, rather than working in true partnership with the community.
- RFP Award Hollywood Community Housing Corporation selection was rushed through without public review of the runner-up RFP from BRIDGE Housing Corporation. Hollywood Community Housing Corporation appears to actively be vying for lease of majority of public land not only in Santa Monica but also in Venice, subject to the several legal actions. https://www.safecoastaldevelopment.org/
- Stress the already taxed infrastructure. Current water and power lines are already old & dilapidated.
- Increase traffic & create road safety risks for children walking to/from Lincoln Middle School and elderly. Utility trucks traffic is already difficult on the narrow /one-car alley of Euclid court. Commercial real estate in the old Wilshire building has a loading dock, facing the Euclid Court, which combined with new development will create unbearable challenge for the community.
- Lower & Devalue Property & Neighborhoods for all. Increasing insurance costs for all residents.
- City presented no holistic neighborhood development plans instead opting out for on-off solutions. To that end, we request that the city pause the further development of this project until they:
Conduct a minimum of three community meetings over the next 90 days, led by city officials and including representatives from all relevant departments, the developer, and a diverse cross-section of neighborhood residents and business owners.
Share detailed information on the site selection process, the specific plans for each development, and the strategies for addressing our concerns around (1) safety, (2) homelessness and related crime, (3) parking, (4) traffic and infrastructure (5) livability and character (6) longer-term neighborhood development plans.
Commit to the public process of gathering comments, feedback and constructive alterations to the project.
We believe that by working together in good faith, we can find a path forward that addresses the urgent need for affordable housing while also preserving the safety, vitality, and unique character of our neighborhood. The residents of Mid-Wilshire are ready and willing to be your partners in this effort, but we need your leadership, transparency, and commitment to ensure that our voices are heard, and our concerns are addressed. The time for action is now!
Sincerely,
Residents of Mid-Wilshire