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MONTHLY BOARD MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2025, 7:00-8:30p.m. via ZOOM https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89200106747?pwd=aRUb7rDySRbWMRv80mH9J110D7g1Qx.1 Topic: Wilmont Monthly Board Meeting When: First Tuesday every month, 07:00 PM Pacific Time Meeting ID: 892 0010 6747 -- Link is also available at www.WILMONT.org
Thank you! Your Wilmont Board of Directors
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April 27, 2025
Hon. Maria Elena Durazo, Chair Senate Local Government Committee 1021 O Street, Suite 7530 Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Chair Durazo, Thank you for your continued service in advocating for affordable housing across California. My name is Elizabeth Van Denburgh, and I serve as chair of the Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition ( Wilmont - wilmont.org ), a city-sanctioned neighborhood group in Santa Monica. Wilmont is a multi-family neighborhood (zoned R2 and R3), bounded by Ocean Avenue to the west, Montana Avenue to the north, 21st Street to the east, and Wilshire Boulevard to the south. More than 80% of our residents are renters, and approximately 70% of those renters live in rent-controlled units. These buildings are mostly 2–3 stories and owned by local individuals or families—not corporations. We are writing to express our strong opposition to SB 79, which, especially when paired with the State Density Bonus (SDB), poses an existential threat to the affordability, character, and diversity of our community. Zoning Comparison: Current vs. SB 79 + State Density Bonus Zoning Type Max Height Max Units/Acre FAR Avg. Unit Size (est.) Required Affordability R2 (Current) 25–30 ft ~17–20 1.0 850–1,000 sq ft 30% (Prop R); 15% AHPP R3 (Current) 30–35 ft ~25–30 1.5 800–1,000 sq ft 30% (Prop R); 15% AHPP SB 79 45–55 ft ~60–80 2.5–3.0 500–700 sq ft 0% SB 79 + State Density Bonus 75+ ft 100+ 3.5+ 450–650 sq ft 10–15% (low-income only) The chart above reveals a troubling trade-off: SB 79 alone contains no affordability requirement. When paired with the SDB, it delivers only 10–15% low-income units—well below Santa Monica’s longstanding 30% standard. Furthermore, these bonuses often fail to replace demolished rent-controlled and other affordable units, resulting in a net loss of affordable housing. Displacement and Gentrification Threat SB 79 would apply to 100% of Wilmont, as our neighborhood lies within half a mile of major transit stops, including Metro Rapid and Big Blue Bus lines along Wilshire Boulevard. However, service reductions have weakened transit connectivity —such as the elimination of direct BBB Express service to Downtown LA—calling into question the bill’s assumption of robust transit access. In the map below, the blue overlay shows the half-mile lot coverage from major transit stops (every 20 minutes) from Wilshire Boulevard. The orange rectangle is the Wilmont neighborhood, an R2 and R3 neighborhood in Santa Monica. Is it worth demolishing hundreds of small-scale, rent-controlled buildings to find out if this density will increase transit ridership? History tells us this type of speculative redevelopment has devastating consequences—much like the destruction of the Belmar Triangle, Santa Monica’s historic Black neighborhood, in the 1950s. Community Impact Under SB 79, developers can demolish low-rise, rent-controlled apartments to construct 7- to 8- story luxury units, by passing local zoning, height, parking, and setback limits. This will:
What’s at Stake in Wilmont
A Developer Windfall, Not Housing Justice SB 79 + SDB delivers significant upzoning (a public subsidy) to developers with little in return. This is a one-sided giveaway that:
Our Request Please vote NO on SB 79. Instead, we urge you to:
Many Thanks, Elizabeth Van Denburgh, Chair Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition (Wilmont), Santa Monica, CA Dear Wilmont members, residents and friends,Join us on the city hall steps (1685 Main Street) to participate in a rally from 4:30 - 5:30 to SAVE FAIRVIEW LIBRARY!
The city wants to sell the Fairview Library in Sunset Park. Wilmont along with our sister neighborhood group Friends of Sunset Park, Santa Monica Public Library Board and Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library will be attending the rally (and making posters) to save Fairview Library from being sold. Why would we sell this public property which has given so much to the Sunset community and will continue to give no matter what our future holds? This community asset is about who we are and where we are going - TOGETHER. Please join us if you haven't been to a good protest lately. Friends of Sunset Park definitely know how to throw a rally. Bring your kids to learn and make protest posters. City Council could vote to close Fairview Library as soon as June 24th of this year. ACT NOW!!! "The only thing you absolutely have to know is the location of the library." - Albert Einstein Elizabeth Van Denburgh Chair Montana Wilshire Neighborhood Coalition (Wilmont) Board of Directors Dear Wilmont members, residents and friends,Please Join us on Tuesday April 1st from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Wilmont’s April Zoom Meeting Our April meeting will be next Tuesday, April 1st (we generally meet on the first Tuesday of every month) from 7 – 8:30 PM via Zoom. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89200106747?wd=aRUb7rDySRbWMRv80mH9J110D7g1Qx.1. The link to our monthly meetings can always be found on our website www.wilmont.org. Wilmont updates: New local businesses, Saturday Yoga at Reed Park starting Saturday, June 7th, 8 -9 AM and we are again going to have Second Saturday live music and outdoor movies at Reed Park in August, September and October. Marc Verville, Resident and Chair of the SM Audit Committee will discuss and take questions regarding his and others concerns regarding the Great Park and the housing issues around that. For the record, Wilmont Board of Directors approved and sent letters to City Council supporting the Great Park Coalition. Our thought is if we don’t advocate for a Great Park, we will never get it. Sunny Wang, PE, is the Water Resources Manager for the City of Santa Monica. There will be a water increase on the agenda of the City Council on 4/1. He will talk about that and we have asked him to discuss the issue regarding the increase given that it is for long-term capital infrastructure lasting 50-100 years which should be a bond, where are we on the path to 100% water self-sufficiency, would we have had enough water if the fire had gotten south of Pacific Palisades into Santa Monica and how do our rates compare to other cities? Kara Taub, Montana Merchants will give us an update on how local businesses are doing given the fires and the rain and cold weather. CALL FOR ACTION Participate in answering 3 QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR PARKS. Tony Lopez, Santa Monica Senior Park Planner, is asking hundreds of residents three questions about parks as the city works to update its RECREATION & PARKS MASTER PLAN. Send him your answers at [email protected] by Friday, April 5th 1. If asked to describe what you love about your neighborhood to a visitor to Santa Monica, what would you say (1-2 sentences)? 2. What improvements to existing parks and open space within your neighborhood would you recommend? 3. Imagining the year 2050, what parks and open space amenities would you envision now being a part of your neighborhood? Participate in Santa Monica Aging and Disability Community Survey – Please complete the survey: https://www.santamonica.gov/aging-and-disability-action-plan by Tuesday, April 1stHope to see you next Tuesday 4/1 at 7 PM! THANK YOU WILMONT BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILSHIRE-MONTANA NEIGHBORHOOD COALITION
Monthly Board Meeting Minutes March 4, 2025 (via ZOOM) Board members in attendance: John C. Smith, Elizabeth Vandenburg, Elizabeth Brooks, Manju Raman, Betzi Richardson, Rosemary Sostarich, Stephen Martin, Lynette Kozdron, Susan Foxley *** 7:00 Board member John C. Smith calls the meeting to order. 7:00 Local Updates: -- City is financially “in the red” -- Council holding special budget meeting at Main Library -- Council has declared public sites at 4th, 5th & Arizona and Bergamot “Surplus.” -- Miles Playhouse at Reed Park “soft-opening” in late March -- New security system at Reed Park -- Stronger police presence helping curtail drug use at park. -- LA County is giving city $95,000 grant for Reed Park events -- Wilmont’s Summer Music and Movie events helped! -- Council to allow sleeping bags in parks again. -- Vice-Chair Manju Raman encourages members to attend Public Safety and Reform Oversite Commission meetings urges community to be more involved. 7:15 SM Transportation Director Anuj Gupta and staff highlights Transportation Annual Report. Ridership UP after Covid declines. Big Blue Bus upgrades and future initiatives will be undertaken in preparation for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics. City staff’s Kyle Kozar discusses Wilshire Boulevard projects to improve safety for pedestrians, drivers and all other roadway users. Q&A: No plans to add more street lights, copper wire thefts continue to be a problem. Chair Elizabeth VanDenburgh raises the issue of Gelson’s project at Ocean Park and Lincoln Boulevard as highest number of injury crashes of any intersection in Santa Monica. Kozar discusses improvements at the intersection and on Lincoln. Smith cites study showing fatal and injury events rose markedly this past year. 7:45 Recreation and Parks Master Plan discussion with Santa Monica Senior Park Planner Tony Lopez. Three questions posted on website, www.Wilmont.org and sent in newsletter to members. 8:15 Chair Elizabeth Vandenburgh begins process for nominations and selection of Wilmont Executive Board, with results as follows: Chair Elizabeth Vandenburg Vice Chair: Manju Raman Treasurer: Rosemary Sostarech Secretary: Elizabeth Brooks Membership: John C. Smith The vote is 8-0 in favor of all above nominees. 8:30 Adjournment. Submitted by Elizabeth Brooks, Wednesday, March 19, 2025 Wilshire – Montana Neighborhood Coalition
Monthly Board Meeting Minutes February 4, 2025 (via Zoom) 7:00 Board member John C. Smith calls the meeting to order. 7:00 Local News Updates -- Palisades Fire Update with video and pictures. -- Council now debating Civic Auditorium future. -- Reed Park “Miles Playhouse” to be reopened soon. 7:05 Santa Monica Fire Chief Matt Hallock says fires were the worst he’s ever seen. He commended the response of all first responders and the community for coming together. He also emphasized the need for disaster preparedness. Former Mayor and Councilman Kevin McKeown asks about side yard setbacks and fire safety. Discussion turns to best items needed in a “go-kit”. Chief says water systems in Santa Monica are state of the art. Smith recommends the “Watch Duty” app to track active fires. Residents are urged to use “Community Connect” to alert Fire and Police about elderly or infirmed family members who might need special assistance in an emergency. Link now posted to www.Wilmont.org. 7:35 Santa Monica Police Department Chief Ramon Batista and Officer David Wang discuss fire from PD perspective. Good discussion about need to safeguard homes of evacuees. Short discussion ensues about rental fraud and price-gouging penalties. Police thank community for support. ake a donation. She adds that it means a lot when Santa Monica residents greet police and firefighters and express appreciation for what they do. 8:10 Santa Monica Library Director Erica Cuyugan and Library Board member Daniel Cody discuss ongoing funding issues and impact on library hours. They say funding is still not at pre-covid levels, urge support in upcoming budget. The Santa Monica Library relies on the City of Santa Monica for general funding. Brief discussion of potential hybrid meeting usage at libraries. 8:35 The meeting is adjourned at 8:35 p.m. MONTHLY BOARD MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, FEB 4, 2025, 7:00 p.m. via ZOOM https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89200106747?pwd=aRUb7rDySRbWMRv80mH9J110D7g1Qx.1 Topic: Wilmont Monthly Board Meeting When: First Tuesday every month, 07:00 PM Pacific Time Meeting ID: 892 0010 6747 -- Link is also available at www.WILMONT.org 1) 7:00 Hellos, Intros. 2) 7:05. Quick Wilmont/City News Updates: Fires, Airport, Civic, Reed Park, City Budget, etc 3) 7:15-7:45. SMFD - Palisades Fire Impact & Response. Guest: SMFD Chief Matt Hallock 4) 7:45-8:10. SMPD – Palisades Fire Impact & City Updates Guest: David Wang, SMPD 5) 8:10-8:30. SM Libraries: Now and in the Future Guests: Erica Cuyugan, Library Director & Daniel Cody, SM Library Board. 6) 8:30. Adjournment Share with friends and join us! Thank you for being a part of Wilmont. Sincerely, The Wilmont Board of Directors www.WWILMONT.org AGENDA
TUESDAY, DEC. 3RD, 2024, 7:00 p.m. via ZOOM https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89200106747?pwd=aRUb7rDySRbWMRv80mH9J110D7g1Qx.1 Topic: Wilmont Monthly Board Meeting When: First Tuesday every month, 07:00 PM Pacific Time Meeting ID: 892 0010 6747 Link is also available at www.WILMONT.org
Wilmont Annual General Membership Meeting
Saturday, November 16th, 3-5pm (Check-in begins at 2:30pm) Reed Park Community Room 1. Introductions/Format/Overview 3:00-3:05 Liz/John 2. Wilmont: 2024 Successes and 2025 Challenges 3:05-3:10 John/Liz 3. Santa Monica Police Chief Ramon Batista 3:10-3:25 4. Wilmont Award 3:25 -3:30 John 5. Council-Elects. (15 mins. each, brief statement/Q&A 3:30-4:30 a. Barry Snell b. Dan Hall c. Ellis Raskin d. Natalya Zernitskaya 6. Treasurer Report 4:30-4:35 Rosemary 7. Board Business-Nominations 4:35-4:45 Liz 8. By-Laws 4:45-4:50 Liz 9. Raffle 4:50-5:00 Rosemary 10. Bye |
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