Miramar Misconceptions and Common Ground Youth

February 28, 2012

Dear Editor,

Jason Islas's report on the Planning Commission's hearing on the Miramar Hotel redevelopment ("Santa Monica's Miramar Design Passes Commission with Caveats," February 24, 2012) missed two critical points regarding the community benefits proposed by the applicant:

1. Yes, according to the staff report as many as 40 affordable housing units are contemplated on hotel property on Second Street. However, the applicant made it clear at the hearing that the Miramar team plans to pay for only the 12 units required by code. The City would have to find some other means to fund the remaining housing. And it's not clear whether the land would be donated towards the housing or would need to be acquired at an additional cost.

2. It's true that one acre of open space is proposed. But to call it public open space is a misnomer. It would be private open space for the hotel to rent for weddings and other events. The applicant envisions making the space available to the public a minimum of one third and up to one half of a year. And it's likely that public interest in use of the public space would be greatest during weekends and summer evenings, the same times when the demand for rental of the greensward for private events would also be most intense, in which case the hotel's business model would have a priority over public access.

Ted Winterer
Santa Monica Planning Commissioner

February 28, 2012

Dear Editor,

I have been a client of Common Ground for 11 years now, and a volunteer for eight of those years. Most of the problems have been within the past four or five years. ("Santa Monica's Sunset Park Residents Upset over Non-Profit Neighbor," February 14, 2012).

This is directly related to the addition of the youth program. The youth program has had a lot of problems that have came with it, and Common Ground has chosen to turn a blind eye to the matter.

I think Common Ground did not look into the new address well enough. Being a client, I did not hear about schools or homes, just that they were moving. We had a meeting with some of the clients, and that is what we were told, not anything the youth program.

That is a different program that has been added. There have been needles outside the old building, there have been condoms, there have been beer bottles outside. These are all due to the youth program.

I have brought it to their attention, and some of the other client’s have done so as well.

I and many other clients need Common Ground. They are the only HIV organization on the Westside. There are other organizations for the youth.

I hope they don’t jeopardize our only source of help on the Westside. We have come to see them as a lifeline needed to help us live a more productive life.

Wilmer Ernest Gutman