A DEVELOPING STORY - EPISODE 3: A BRUSH WITH DENSITY

Ross sits down with Sam Stein, managing editor of The Bulwark, ahead of their live show at the Novo in downtown LA on May 21st. Two veteran news folks for the price of none — they get into the Bulwark community in SoCal, why live shows are suddenly everywhere, the food-and-comedy-to-politics pipeline eating the news business, the California governor's race, Newsom's posture toward Trump, the defensive-vote trap heading into the June 2nd primary, and yes — Spencer Pratt.

As California's current high-speed rail fiasco attests, big and ambitious public projects are hard. California's biggest project of all is housing development. Will it suffer the same fate? In this final episode, Brian explores the impediments to success, including the increasingly caustic "backyard brawl" between NIMBYS and YIMBYS, and asks his guests to pitch their versions of a successful housing future. Santa Monica Daily Press Links:https://smdp.com/business/high-speed-rail-2/https://smdp.com/news/fresh-batch-of-yimby-housing-bills-clash-with-coastal-protections-again/https://smdp.com/government-politics-2/abundance-meets-resistance-are-democrats-finally-ready-to-go-all-in-on-building-housing/    

In this episode, Brian examines three housing development projects in Santa Monica – all of which have courted controversy. One is a large development that could replace a beloved grocery store, another is a supportive housing project a block from the city's shopping promenade, and the third is a project that was killed by community activism, with unintended consequences. Santa Monica Daily Press Links:https://smdp.com/news/public-stir-persists-for-gelsons-replacement-project/https://smdp.com/business/development/plans-updated-for-122-unit-affordable-housing-development-at-1318-4th-street/https://smdp.com/business/residents-want-a-reduced-bergamot-transit-village/ 

Building affordable housing is a big priority in Santa Monica. This episode investigates how affordable housing is built, and what "affordability" even means as the nationwide cost of living rises. Many fear that the push to build more affordable housing is leading to gentrification instead.   Santa Monica Daily Press Links:https://smdp.com/business/development/race-is-on-to-shape-affordable-housing-near-17th-street-smc-metro-station/https://smdp.com/business/development/santa-monica-puts-three-city-owned-sites-up-for-lease-as-part-of-affordable-housing-push/https://smdp.com/business/development/community-corporation-celebrates-santa-monicas-first-modular-affordable-housing-development/

Santa Monica, like much of Los Angeles County, is a city dominated by neighborhoods of low-density, single-family homes. But low density has played a role in California's housing crisis. The state is responding with "Density Bonuses" for developers, which encourage more building, but at what cost? This episode crunches the numbers, explains the density bonus "matrix," and spotlights a planned density bonus building. Santa Monica Daily Press Links:https://smdp.com/news/density-bonus-rules-allow-developers-to-double-the-size-of-some-projects/https://smdp.com/uncategorized/santa-monica-board-continues-review-of-132-unit-housing-project-over-design-concerns/https://smdp.com/business/development/santa-monica-housing-pilot-program-reaches-capacity-within-days-planning-commission-seeks-extension/

Delays in the approval of Santa Monica's housing element lead to a historic punishment for the city: activation of a loophole called "The Builder's Remedy." Developers are now able to flood Santa Monica with construction – and the city is powerless to stop it.Santa Monica Daily Press Links:https://smdp.com/news/builders-remedy/https://smdp.com/business/godzilla-next-door-how-california-developers-gained-new-leverage-to-build-more-homes/https://smdp.com/news/development/https://smdp.com/business/development/planning-commission-approves-18-story-housing-project-despite-environmental-appeal/

In the first episode of A Developing Story, host Brian Peter Falk introduces the idyllic beach city of Santa Monica, California and explores how a controversial state wide development mandate called "The Housing Element" is forcing the city to allow the construction of nearly 9,000 new apartments.Santa Monica Daily Press Links:https://smdp.com/news/hcd-rejects-citys-housing-element-demands-revisions/https://smdp.com/news/after-housing-element-debacle-implementation-work-begins/https://smdp.com/news/housing-element-becomes-hot-topic-at-local-leader-gathering/

Santa Monica plans to allow open-container drinking on its promenade as part of a new entertainment zone, following the passage of California Senate Bill 969. The idea was initially proposed for a few events but the city council wants to make it more permanent, from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., tied to business hours. People can buy alcohol in a special, non-refillable cup from venues and walk around with it. The council hopes this will attract more tourists and lead to new events like pickleball or line dancing. There are concerns about security and police presence, with the department wanting more officers than the council thinks is necessary. The policy could be in place by May or June, in time for Pride Month. It’s seen as an experiment that could be rolled back if it doesn’t work out.

Santa Monica will not host Olympic beach volleyball in 2028 despite initial plans. LA 28 approached Santa Monica due to its iconic beach and pier, and the city’s claim to inventing beach volleyball. The Olympic Committee covers costs directly tied to the games, but Santa Monica sought additional community benefits. A consultant’s report indicated the city would lose $1.5 million hosting the games, but could gain $5–7 million without hosting, through increased tourism. However, historical data from other Olympics shows non-Olympic tourism often drops significantly during the games. Santa Monica’s decision was criticized for lacking vision and outreach to cover the financial shortfall. Long Beach, which has been more welcoming to the Olympics, will now host the beach volleyball.

https://smdp.com/news/environment/wildfire-debris-build-up-on-our-beaches-could-equate-to-an-ecological-disaster/