Santa Monica Development Issues

By Jonathan Louis "Jon" (Stevens) Mann

Santa Monica is nearly built-out, and developers are pushing to rebuild and build up. How high should the buildings in Santa Monica be and what should the downtown district look like?

I have been consistently against development from the onset. my policy is NO MORE GROWTH, and to curtail future plans already in process. I do advocate allowing home owners to remodel their homes, within reason, and cease putting them through unnecessary delay and expense. I had to sell my 800 square foot house in Sunset Park because of all the obstacles impeding the permit process.

This City Council and most of the candidates, (especially those with their slick mailers, big name endorsements and financial inducements), have sold out the residents of this city to special interests. I have no such contributions or endorsements and seek only to represent the residents.

There are few candidates who seek only to represent those citizens who are fed up with the arrogance and incompetence of this Council. The Council seems to have forgotten the voters' revolt over rent gouging in the late 70s.

We all know how badly the schools are fiscally mismanaged and the problems with the former Superintendent, and now a board member wants to continue that incompetence on the council?

Various departments and commissions are only concerned with keeping their budgets and will support those candidates most likely to protect the bureacracy.

Santa Monica Renters Rights, (SMRR), is an entrenched political machine that is compromised by supporting candidates who are also endorsed by city employees and other outside interests. I would audit the entire city budget and also investigate whether SMRR members, sitting and past councilpersons and their friends, are profiting in any way from development and city contracts to public agencies. I personally believe it is a conflict of interest to receive any financial consideration or endorsement from anyone who works or receives funding from the city.

We all know about the incompetence on the Planning Commission and other commissions and the conflict of interest involving the Architecture Review Board. What does that say about an informed electorate if architects and development consultants can be elected to the Council and participate in city funded projects?

Car dealers along Santa Monica Blvd. have had their expansion approved by the Council; what else are the auto dealers getting? I have serious concerns about local business support of City Council candidates, especially if they employ family members.

So it goes...