Santa Monica Measure SM – Supermajority Vote Requirement
Question:
Should the City Charter be amended to require the affirmative votes of at least five members of the City Council in order to increase a maximum height limit or floor area ration specified in the Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) or the Downtown Community Plan (DCP) for ten years?
Background:
The Santa Monica City Council has seven members elected for four-year terms. Currently, the City Charter Section 615 requires the affirmative votes of at least four City Council members in order to adopt an ordinance or resolution.
In December 2017, the City Council directed staff to explore a ballot measure that would protect against development exceeding the adopted General Plan or Zoning Code. The Council considered various options and in May voted 4-2 to place this measure on the ballot requiring a super-majority vote on any amendments to the LUCE or DCP that increased the maximum height limit or floor area ratio.
The Proposal:
An affirmative vote of at least five members of the City Council will be required for an amendment to LUCE or the DCP where that amendment would increase the maximum height limit or floor area ratio of the project. The measure would also require all members of the City Council to be present in order for a vote on such an amendment to take place. The higher threshold for approval would expire in ten years.
This requirement would not apply to 100% Affordable Housing Projects or any property owned by the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.
Fiscal Effect: unknown
Supporters Say:
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The General Plan and Downtown Community Plan allow for focused growth while protecting the character and environment of our city.
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Our community and local government worked hard to reach agreement on these new land use standards. Voting YES on Measure SM means we stick to our plans.
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SM expires after ten years, allowing future leaders to address changes in demographics, economics and community sentiment.
Opponents Says:
No opposing arguments were submitted.
For more information: smvote.org, click on ballot measures
