Santa Monica City Council approves four residential parcels
The city asked staff to speak with nearby residents about parking permits while approving a parcel map governed by state law.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — adoption of final parcel map no, public comment (moved earlier), and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The city manager said staff could talk with residents and examine residential permit options, though parking concerns did not change the parcel map decision.
Four new residential parcels brought neighborhood parking into the discussion. Santa Monica City Council adopted Final Parcel Map No. 84874, allowing one property to be divided into four residential parcels. Staff told the City Council that approving the map was a ministerial action governed by state law. The vote was unanimous among councilmembers who participated; one councilmember recused because the property was near their residence.
The parking question came from a councilmember who described challenges with enforcing existing residential permits nearby. The councilmember asked whether city staff could examine parking in the area, even though the parcel map itself was before the City Council for approval. The city manager said staff could speak with residents and consider options under the residential permit program. The City Council then added that direction to its motion approving the map.
The parcel map approval allows the four-parcel plan to proceed. It does not establish or change a preferential parking district. Staff’s next task is to hear from residents about their parking concerns and look at what permit options may be available. Any parking changes would be a separate matter from the map approval. Fire neighbors, that leaves a chance to discuss parking while the property division moves ahead under the rules that govern it.
Public Comment (Moved Earlier): Access to Malibu Schools—Request to Reopen Parking Area Near Bus Stop
A parent asked the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education to consider a place for families to park near a school bus stop. Speaking during public comment, the parent described a closed parking area at the junction of a canyon road and a coastal highway. The request was to explore reopening it for school-bus drop-off and pickup.
The parent has two children in elementary school, with one expected to start middle school next school year. The speaker said access to district schools in the Malibu area would improve if families could use the parking area when children board or leave the bus. The parent framed the request as a way to make those trips safer and more practical.
The request was a public comment, not an action taken by the Board of Education. The parent asked the district to look into whether the parking area could be reopened and to consider other ways to improve access to those schools. The source records no response or decision on the proposal.
Employee raises workplace safety concerns with school district
An employee told the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education about workplace conflict, fear of retaliation and concerns over a camera in a shared work area. The employee asked for a review of a golf cart incident and a way to report safety concerns confidentially.
The employee’s request puts workplace reporting and the review of a safety incident before the school district.
City Council fills Recreation and Parks Commission seat
Santa Monica City Council appointed a member to the Recreation and Parks Commission following nominations and a reset of its voting process. Problems with the vote display prompted the reset before the mayor announced the appointment.
The appointment fills a seat on the city commission concerned with recreation and parks.
City Council recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Santa Monica City Council proclaimed October 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Month, encouraging awareness and screening. An American Cancer Society representative accepted the proclamation and announced a Making Strides walk on October 24 at Santa Monica Pier.
The October 24 walk gives residents a local way to take part in the awareness campaign.
City Council recognizes Filipino American History Month
Santa Monica City Council proclaimed October 2026 Filipino American History Month and recognized the Filipino Workers Center for its work with immigrant workers. A representative accepted the proclamation; the organization’s services include immigration assistance, caregiver workforce development and cultural programs.
The recognition draws attention to services available to immigrant workers and caregivers in the region.
- Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education. A parent requested the district explore reopening a parking area where Topanga Canyon Boulevard meets Pacific Coast Highway to support a safer drop-off/pick-up location for a school bus stop and improve access to Malibu schools.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
SANTA MONICA had 12 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCERecognition of Outgoing Boards and Commissions Members. The City Clerk read a commendation recognizing multiple outgoing boards and commissions members for service and invited them to receive recognition.
- GOVERNANCESpecial Agenda Item: City Commendation for Senator Ben Allen. The City recognized Senator Ben Allen with a commendation and read a proclamation citing legislative and funding accomplishments benefiting Santa Monica. Senator Allen gave remarks reflecting on partnerships, wildfire response, transit, and family and staff support.
- GOVERNANCEMayor’s Highlight: Recognition of City Employee (Video Tribute). The Mayor highlighted an “unsung hero” city employee, recognizing a pier maintenance custodian with 38 years of service and showing a video tribute.
- GOVERNANCEPulled Consent Item 4H (Subject Not Stated in Transcript) — Approval. Council approved pulled consent item 4H. The Mayor was recused due to FPPC proximity rules (living within 1,000 feet of a proposed subdivision).
- GOVERNANCETravel Report: Vienna Social Housing Conference (Housing and Homeless Prevention Staff). A councilmember reported that City housing and homeless prevention staff attended a social housing conference in Vienna, Austria, describing lessons about transit, housing integration, and mobility patterns.
- GOVERNANCEBoard Commendations/Recognitions: Lincoln Middle School Update. Lincoln Middle School’s principal presented school achievements, instructional priorities, facilities updates, attendance goals, and community engagement highlights, including test score gains and student recognition.
- GOVERNANCEConsent Calendar Approval (All Items Except Pulled Items; Recusals Noted). Council approved the consent calendar as a block excluding items pulled for separate consideration. Recusals were later stated for items 4A, 4H, and a parcel map item due to proximity.
- GOVERNANCEAgenda Management: Move Special Agenda Items Before General Public Comment. Council approved an agenda management motion to hear two special agenda items prior to general public comment.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of Consent Items. The Board approved the consent items as a block by motion, second, and unanimous vote.
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