Santa Monica City Council candidates debate airport land use
With Santa Monica Airport set to close in 2028, candidates split over whether all 192 acres should become parkland or include affordable housing.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — question, closed session report, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
One candidate proposed using 25 acres for 3,000 affordable homes; others said the entire airport property should become a park.
The airport’s 192 acres have competing futures after its 2028 closure. At a Santa Monica City Council candidate forum, candidates answered whether Santa Monica Airport should become entirely parkland or make room for other uses. Several backed a park across the full site, citing Measure LC, which voters approved in 2014. One candidate argued that the city’s housing and homelessness problems make an all-park plan the wrong choice. The exchange presented a land-use choice, not a final plan.
One park supporter favored arts and cultural space, business revitalization and green jobs, and suggested Santa Monica College could use part of the park. Another described possible recreation facilities, including an ice rink and an indoor swimming venue, while arguing that existing wildlife should have room to grow. A third called for more arts and recreation and said the city should plan for future generations. Their answers showed that support for parkland does not settle what a park would contain.
The candidate opposing an all-park site proposed putting 3,000 affordable homes on 25 acres. He argued that housing needs should take priority on at least part of the property and raised concerns about how a large park might be used by people sleeping outdoors. The forum produced no vote or design. With the airport scheduled to close in 2028, the question remains whether parkland fills the entire site or shares it with homes.
Closed Session Report: Authorization to File Amicus Brief
The Santa Monica Rent Control Board met in closed session earlier in the evening. Staff later delivered the required report-out during the public meeting.
The available account records no separate discussion of rent levels, registration requirements or changes to tenant protections in this segment. It describes the report-out rather than a debate over rent-control policy.
Fire residents following rent-control rules, this part of the meeting does not describe a new requirement or a change to an existing one. The account provides no policy timeline or next step on rent rules.
Speakers press Santa Monica City Council on parks
During public input, speakers asked the Santa Monica City Council for disability accommodations at late meetings, clarity about Measure GG’s effect on Virginia Avenue tenants and a study of park conservancy funding. Others supported Measure ES for school funding and sought fuller financial reporting on the city’s realignment plan.
The requests touch how residents attend meetings, keep housing and help fund parks and schools.
Candidates weigh police technology against privacy
At a Santa Monica City Council candidate forum, candidates debated police use of a real-time center, drones and Flock cameras. Some described faster responses and safer police work; others called for stronger oversight, clearer limits on data sharing and a closer look at what the center collects.
The debate concerns how police use surveillance tools and what safeguards protect residents’ information.
Santa Monica City Council extends housing pilot
The Santa Monica City Council approved an extension of its off-site affordable housing pilot program after waiving the staff report. The mayor pro tem and a councilmember recused themselves over stated conflicts; one participating councilmember said they would prefer mixed-use housing projects.
The extension keeps an option available for providing affordable homes away from a project’s main site.
Santa Monica City Council approves realignment actions
The Santa Monica City Council approved most actions accompanying a one-year update on its realignment plan, handling two others separately because of recusals. City Manager Oliver Chi said staff tracked 179 activities, with 96 completed and 79 in progress; the update included plans for a Third Street Promenade refresh targeting summer 2028.
The scorecard shows what the city has completed and identifies a timetable for downtown work.
- Santa Monica City Council. In the later public input period, speakers raised concerns about late-night timing and disability accommodations, urged clarity on Measure GG impacts for Virginia Avenue tenants, supported a Great Park conservancy study session with specific additions, advocated for Measure ES to replace expiring City school funding, supported the realignment plan, and requested more detailed financial transparency and faster action on a parks foundation for fundraising.
- Santa Monica Rent Control Board. One speaker commented on item 12A, criticizing Board conduct and alleging the system disadvantages renters, including claims about landlords not paying registration fees and perceived favoritism. The Chair repeatedly directed the speaker to stay on topic and manage time.
- Santa Monica Rent Control Board. Three members of the public addressed the Board: one tenant criticized the rent decrease petition process and asked about discouraging landlord misconduct; one property owner described financial pressures under rent control and urged easier evictions for rule violations; and one speaker raised policy ideas (mandatory AC) and criticized Board conduct and counsel.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
SANTA MONICA had 40 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEClosed Session Agenda Announcement and Recusals. The City Clerk announced closed session items 5A–5G, including multiple litigation matters, real estate negotiations (including 1636 Fifth Street and Santa Monica Pier), and the City Manager performance evaluation. Several recusals were stated for items 5D and 5E based on employment and organizational conflicts.
- GOVERNANCEBoard Reviews Past-Due Registration Fees and Enforcement Concerns. A senior litigation attorney reported that the City had collected $81,441.63 in past-due registration fees, correcting an earlier total, and answered questions about backlogs and pending cases. A public commenter criticized the enforcement system, alleging that some landlords do not pay fees and that renters are disadvantaged.
- GOVERNANCECouncil Approves ALPR Technology for Parking Enforcement. Staff presented a plan to use automated license plate recognition for payment checks, time-limit enforcement, and virtual permits, outlining data access, ownership, retention, and privacy safeguards. After questions about privacy and data retention, Council unanimously approved implementation.
- GOVERNANCEDowntown Parking Pilot Programs with Metropolis (Parking Structure Optimization and Valet Pilot) — Recusal Noted. Council authorized staff to implement downtown parking pilot programs with Metropolis, including parking structure optimization at three structures and a curbside valet pilot at Arizona/Wilshire and the Promenade. Council Member Hall recused from this action due to a stated nonprofit funding relationship.
- GOVERNANCEAuthorize Negotiation and Execution of Lease: Santa Monica Brew Works at 256 Santa Monica Pier (Former Rusty’s Location). Council authorized staff to negotiate and execute a lease with Santa Monica Brew Works for a proposed “Surf Shack” concept at 256 Santa Monica Pier. Staff compared terms to the prior California Roadhouse negotiation, described worker retention and labor peace provisions, and outlined rent, term, and City improvement contributions. Council approved unanimously; Council Member Zwick was recused.
- GOVERNANCEQuestion: Humane Plan for Mental Health Services for Unhoused People. Candidates discussed approaches to homelessness and behavioral health needs, including data-driven evaluation of programs, prevention and intervention strategies, regional partnerships, replicating successful models, and addressing mental health and addiction while maintaining public access to parks and sidewalks.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of Final Map: 11:01 Stanford Street (Pulled/Discussed; Council Member Zwick Recused). Council approved item 4H regarding the final map for 11:01 Stanford Street. Public commenters urged a continuance and raised concerns about rushed approval, safety, and alleged improper communications; the applicant spoke in support. Council approved; Council Member Zwick was recused.
- GOVERNANCEQuestion: 2028 Olympics Preparation and “Nation’s Village” at Crescent Bay Park and Parking Lot South. Candidates discussed Santa Monica’s plans for the 2028 Olympics, including the approved 103-day “nation’s village,” and emphasized traffic management, business activation, public safety, transit readiness, environmental conditions such as ocean water quality, hotel readiness, and human rights concerns.
- GOVERNANCEAuthorize Staff to Pursue License Agreement with Zūks for Robo-Taxi Fleet Staging (Main Library Structure / Kiss-and-Ride Lot) — Recusal Noted. Council authorized staff to continue discussions and pursue a license agreement with Zūks to stage a robo-taxi fleet using parking spaces at the Main Library structure and potentially the Kiss-and-Ride lot. Council Member Hall recused due to a stated financial interest (Amazon stock via Zūks subsidiary).
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