1. Planning Commission

2. Context of the Planning Effort
GUIDANCE TO CREATE A DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN

3. Context of the Planning Effort
LUCE July 2010
FRAMEWORK
Sept. 2013
Takes into account adopted City policy as well as emerging planning policy on Local Coastal Plan and the Historic Resource Inventory updates.
Local Coastal Plan
Update
Historic Resource Inventory Update
DRAFT DSP
Feb. 2014

4. The Downtown Community Plan
WHY A NEW DRAFT?
Too Long
Response: 25% less text
Improve Clarity
Largely rewritten for brevity and clarity
Changed Conditions
Updated with 2016 realities
Local Focus
Emphasis on local residential and business community
New name to reflect community focus of the 20 year vision
Since 2014
3 housing projects come online
3 housing proved that have been approved
1 residential project under construction (2nd Street)
2 hotels under construction
Esplanade nearly completed
California Incline halfway done
New theater at Mall and Lamlee reconstruction
Ocean avenue sidewalk widening and medians
Expo Terminus constructed
Interim 4CO site under construction

5. Plan Authority LUCE YES, IT IS A SPECIFIC PLAN
DCP implements the General Plan
Follows CA Govt. Code §65451
Distribution location and extent of land uses, including open space
Proposed public infrastructure
Development standards and criteria, including conservation of natural resources
Implementation actions
LUCE
Policy
Guiding Principles
DCP
Actions
Standards and Regulations ZO
Terms/Defs
Parking
Processes

6. The Downtown Community Plan
Since 2014
3 housing projects come online
3 housing proved that have been approved
1 residential project under construction (2nd Street)
2 hotels under construction
Esplanade nearly completed
California Incline halfway done
New theater at Mall and Lamlee reconstruction
Ocean avenue sidewalk widening and medians
Expo Terminus constructed
Interim 4CO site under construction

7. Desired Outcomes DRAFT DSP Housing Economic Diversity
These next few slides describe the general arc of the plan, from housing to open space, to jobs and arts and culture. And hopefully we can still agree that these are things that we want to have included in the Plan even if we are not yet in total agreement about about we will get them.
For example, the Plan is strong in its position that new housing opportunities should be included in Downtown’s fabric, and that affordable housing should exist alongside a variety of housing choices, unit sizes and typologies.
Economic diversity must play a central role in maintaining Downtown’s strength with a variety of job opportunities, skills training, partnerships and nurturing of existing economic drivers in the retail, creative office, hospitality and entertainment industries. And it should be evenly balanced to serve local resident needs as much as regional ones.
Economic Diversity
Vibrant Streets and Public Spaces
Access and Mobility
Preservation of Character
Art and Culture

8. HEIGHTS AND FAR

9. DSP HEIGHTS AND FAR 2014

10. DCP HEIGHTS AND FAR 2016

11. DCP HEIGHTS 2016 Zoning Standards 1998-2014 Proposed DCP Standards
+10’
+0’
+54’
+34’
+28’
-16’
+34’
-24’
+28
-10’
+5’
+10’
0’ -16’

12. DCP FAR 2016 Zoning Standards 1998-2014 Proposed DCP Standards +2.5
-.25
-.25
+2.5
-.5
-1.25
-.5
-3.0
-.5
-.5
-.75
-.25

13. Planning Commission Questions
TIERS IN THE DOWNTOWN
Planning Commission Questions
Typical Entitlements
Tier 1
32-39’
The DCP Tier System is implemented when a project exceeds certain heights and/or square footages, which vary by district.
Administrative Approval
1,000SF – 14,999SF
Tier 2
50-60’
CONTENT SHIFT
Reorganized to show relationship between public space and sidewalks
Includes content from previous Circulation chapter on sidewalks
Development Review Permit
15,000SF – Office Projects
30,000SF – Housing Projects
Planning Commission Approval
Tier 3
60-84’
Development Review Permit
Under 60,000SF
Planning Commission Approval
Development Agreement
Over 60,000SF
City Council Approval

14. Inside: Standards and Regulations (4)
NON-NEGOTIATED TIER 3
Inside: Standards and Regulations (4)
ALTERNATIVES FOR DISCUSSION
Tier 3 non-negotiated option.
Feasibility
Re-test Tier 2 feasibility
testing for Tier incremental increases
IMPACT FEES
Tier 2
Tier 3 Formula (Being studied)
Affordable Housing Linkage Fee 14% increase
INCREASE FEES IN ALL CATEGORIES
Transportation Impact Fee 14%
Parks and recreation Development Impact Fee 14%
Transportation Demand Management 75% of monthly transit pass
CONTENT SHIFT
Reorganized to show relationship between public space and sidewalks
Includes content from previous Circulation chapter on sidewalks
Tier 2 Formula (Zoning Ord)
Tier 3 Formula (Being studied)
50% more than AHPP
Greater:
# of Affordable Units
# of On-Site Units
Potential for larger unit mix
Onsite Affordable 30%, 50%, 80% AMI
Unit Mix 1.2 or greater

15. Inside: Standards and Regulations (4)
CONSIDERATION OF HEIGHTS TO 130’
Inside: Standards and Regulations (4)
ALTERNATIVES FOR DISCUSSION
Potential Height Limit up to 130’
Applies to only three projects Is strong signal to establish clear expectations in the Plan

16. The Downtown Community Plan
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Website:
DCP Planning Team Main Street, Room 212 Santa Monica, CA 90401
CONTENT SHIFT
Reorganized to show relationship between public space and sidewalks
Includes content from previous Circulation chapter on sidewalks