LUCE-idity
By now you have likely heard of LUCE – and may know that it stands for Land Use and Circulation Element. Perhaps you have attended one or more of the public workshops the City has been holding with residents, or completed a survey. If you have not done so, you still have plenty of opportunities to take part and be heard as the basic framework is hammered out that will govern what will get built, and where, and for what purpose, and plans will be made to determine how we will move to and from our homes, jobs, and social and recreational activities. These plans and decisions will be absolutely critical in determining how successful we will be in ensuring the continued production and availability of affordable housing in Santa Monica for years to come.
As Eileen Fogarty, the City’s planning director summarizes it:
There have been eight workshops so far: four devoted to neighborhood protection and conservation; two on the 400+-acre industrial area; and two on future transportation modes, including mass transit, cycling, cars, and walking. There will be five more workshops held in late January, February, and March: two on the City’s boulevards; one on housing and the economic future of the City; one on sustainability, open space, and community benefits; and a final workshop on transportation.
Of particular interest will be the housing needs and diversity workshop as well as the boulevards workshop, which will address future opportunities for workforce housing. Concurrent with the work on the Land Use and Circulation Element preparation is the revision of the Housing Element, which will identify policies and programs to meet housing needs and retain affordable units. This topic will be considered during the upcoming housing workshop. The Update to the LUCE plan will be completed by staff this spring and presented to the Council for review and adoption, a process that will take about a year. There are still many opportunities for the community to be heard and help shape the outcome. Check the website for ongoing updates, including dates and meeting places for workshops and hearings.
Peter James, Associate Planner, reports that staff is considering topics for the February session on economic issues and housing. He notes that it is already clear that “the availability of housing for people of all income levels and backgrounds is a major concern to Santa Monica residents. Land Use policy will continue to support and incentivize new and adaptive housing opportunities where possible and with the community’s support, while also providing the types of neighborhood services and amenities that make the residential areas better.”
Experience shows that opponents of proposed projects will certainly attend presentations, workshops, and hearings, so those of us who support the creation and sustained availability of affordable housing must show up as well, and be heard loudly and clearly as the LUCE process reaches its culmination. Our actions in the next weeks and months will determine whether decision-makers are aware that we too are stakeholders, whose priorities merit consideration when critical choices are and made and planning frameworks are established. Here is a direct link to an up-to-date calendar of LUCE happenings: www.shapethefuture2025.com/calendar.html
Notes:
- The “Shape the Future 2025” website is updated as the process continues, so it’s a good idea to check in periodically. Past workshops have been videotaped, and are among the many useful resources that can be accessed at the website. Here is a link to the homepage for the website: www.shapethefuture2025.com
- If you cannot make it to the workshops, you can give your input through the website’s “contact us” link found at the bottom of the homepage. You are invited to help “shape the future”: Please do so in these crucial final weeks! www.shapethefuture2025.com