ARB Rejects Downtown Design Standards, Loss of Public Input

By Olin Ericksen
Staff Writer

April 8 -- The Architectural Review Board gutted the key elements of two contentious proposals Monday that would transfer much of the design board’s public oversight to staff and establish a courtyard-style building prototype Downtown.

Instead, the board endorsed scaled-back versions of the proposals, which as presented would allow administrative review without a public hearing for residential projects less than 30,000 square feet that adhere to guidelines crafted by planning staff with the help of a hired consultant.

Currently, projects larger than 7,500 square feet require an ARB review, which can be appealed to the Planning Commission, a process developers contend is lengthy and costly.

All five commissioners present were adamant about retaining their review powers and the public’s input.

“Theoretically, we would not see any residential projects,” said Board Chair Sergio Zeballos. “Who would administer this?”

Urban Planner Stephanie Reich said she would head the administrative review, which would be conducted by staff.

When Board Member Iris Oliveras suggested planning would need a very large staff, Reich responded, “We are very efficient.”

But board members, who acknowledged Reich has brought much needed expertise to the Planning Department since coming on board last November, remained uneasy. (Seven of the 22 top planning positions remain unfilled and projects take an average of nine and a half months to navigate the development process.)

“There has got to be better ways of doing this faster and better,” said Oliveras, “and this is not it.”

Arguing that it would stifle creativity, the board also rejected the courtyard building prototype for Downtown that Planning Commissioners endorsed late last month.

“This could lead to Santa Monica being boring,” said Board Member Rodolfo Alverez. “There would be a sameness to it.”

The same worry led Board members to strike portions of the amendments that would limit building materials that could be used in projects.

The board, however, did approve several provisions of the amendments, including reducing the mandatory parking requirements for commercial buildings, widening the sidewalks and increasing the setbacks and height limits of the buildings, which would be allowed to stand 65 feet tall.

The board also agreedto transfer design oversight for single-family homes in multifamily zones to staff and affirmed the use of theoretical grade for determining building heights.

Their vote clears the way for City Council member to act on the proposals April 13.