OPA June 9 Monthly Meeting Next Monday: This month’s meeting will be at the Ocean Park Library (@ 2601 Main St.) starting with food and mingling at 6:00pm. We will also be hybrid on Zoom. Here’s the zoom link and here’s schedule:
- 6:00 – 6:30pm: Food, refreshments and mingling
- 6:30 – 6:45pm: SMPD
- 6:45 – 7:00: Santa Monica School District Update Regarding Ocean Park School
- 7:00 – 7:15: Anuj Gupta (City Director of Transportation)
- 7:15 – 7:30: Cathy Taylor, SMFD Fire Prevention Coordinator
- 7:30 – 7:45: Gleam Davis, former Mayor
- 7:45 – 8:30: Board business, including housing matters and upcoming calendar of events
Help Needed for June 21 MakeMusicLA Event: OPA’s production of MakeMusicLA 2025 will be folded into the Main St. Soulstice event this year as both fall on the same date. It will be on the Library lawn at Ocean Park Blvd and Main Street. Dave Tann needs a few volunteers to help move, setup and return gear. Please click here to contact him if you can help.
4th of July Main St. Parade Registration Now Open! Participate in this year’s parade as we celebrate a historic milestone: 150 years of Santa Monica cityhood. OPA members are eligible for special discounted rates. Register by June 20 to secure your spot. More details here.
Code Changes To Allow Cannabis Retailers on Main St. on Planning Commission Meeting Agenda THIS Wednesday, June 4: The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and consider amendments to the City’s Zoning Ordinance to allow Cannabis Retailers in (amongst others) Mixed-Use and Commercial Districts, which includes Main St. Here is a link to the agenda that includes Item 11-A, which is a “Recommendation to the City Council on Proposed Amendments to the Text of the City’s Zoning Ordinance to Allow Cannabis Retailers to Sell Adult-Use and Medicinal Cannabis and Cannabis Products Within Certain Zoning Districts.”
Get Ready For a Fun & Inclusive SaMo Pride Month: SaMo.gov issued this press release listing many of the events planned for the month.
Santa Monica Boards & Commissions Annual Appointments: Serving on a board or commission provides a meaningful opportunity for individuals to engage civically and make a positive impact in the community. Deadline to apply is June 17 and appointments are expected at the June 24 City Council meeting. More details here.
Santa Monica landlord agrees to injunction and to pay $685,000 to settle tenant harassment and discrimination lawsuits: More details here and tenants are encouraged to reach out to rent control board if they suspect any landlord malfeasance.
Santa Monica Faces $60M Budget Shortfall: SaMo will need to tap into $60.5 million in reserves over the next five years to maintain current service levels as the city grapples with lingering economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and recent wildfires, according to a proposed budget. More details here.
Budget Crunch Pauses New Hiring in City Hall: Faced with years of potential budget deficits, the City Council voted Tuesday to address the crisis by raising fees and reducing staffing throughout the city. Council members ultimately approved significant budget adjustments by a 6-1 vote, including freezing most vacant positions with exceptions only for critical needs. The action followed extensive discussion about staffing levels that remain below 2019 levels, limiting the city’s operational capacity. More details here.
Bigger plan emerges for Santa Monica apartment complex at 1320 Pico Blvd.: The project from Dylan Investments, named for its address at 1320 Pico Boulevard, would replace a commercial building with a new eight-story edifice featuring 147 apartments atop parking for 175 vehicles. That marks a sharp uptick from 100-unit building proposed when the project first came to light in 2024. More details here.
The Street Seen: Cameron Apartments (2906 3rd Street @ Ashland Ave.): The 2-story Cameron Apartments is constructed in 1912 on the west side of 3rd St near Ashland Ave. More details here.
Santa Monica Conservancy Seeks Nominations for 2025 Preservation Awards: Established in 2004, the awards recognize exemplary projects in categories including restoration, renovation, rehabilitation, stewardship, and adaptive reuse of historic properties. Individuals and groups may also be nominated for their volunteer work and preservation advocacy. Nominations must be submitted by Friday, June 13. More details here.
SMMUSD Wave Newsletter: Here is the May 2025 edition of the school district’s newsletter.
Edgemar Restaurant on Main St. Launching Lunch: Their goal is to balance fresh, seasonal ingredients with satisfying portions whether you need to be back at your desk in an hour or want to linger over a glass of wine and extend your escape. They are open for lunch Wednesday through Friday 11:00a.m. – 3:30p.m. plus weekends all day. 2435 Main St. https://www.edgemar.la/menu
Things To Do This Week:
- Samohi to Unearth 50-Year-Old Time Capsule (Monday 4pm): Fifty years ago, in celebration of Santa Monica’s Centennial in 1975, SaMoHi’s class of ’75 students buried a time capsule at the foot of the flagpole in the school’s quad. The capsule contains artifacts of historical significance to both Samohi and the City of Santa Monica. In honor of the city’s sesquicentennial celebration, the community is invited to witness the opening of this unique snapshot in time and reflect on the journey from 1975 to 2025. @ SaMoHi Quad, between the Innovation and Discovery buildings. More details here.
- Blue Plate Oysterette Community Dinner Series (Monday, 6pm): Join a gourmet dinner at sunset for $29. Enjoy a chef-curated meal, mingle with your Santa Monica neighbors, and soak in the sunset from our communal table. This dinner will feature shrimp tacos, rice and beans, chips with specialty salsas, watermelon and cucumber agua frescas and more. @ 1355 Ocean Ave. More and reserve details here.
- 2025 Most Loved Santa Monica Business Celebration (Tuesday 5pm): The City of Santa Monica cordially invites you to an evening of celebration and recognition at the 2025 Most Loved Santa Monica Business Celebration! Join us as we honor the businesses that have captured the hearts of our community and made Santa Monica a vibrant and cherished place to live, work, and visit. This special event will highlight the finalists and winners of the annual “Most Loved Santa Monica Business” awards, showcasing their dedication to excellence, customer service, and community engagement. @ Santa Monica Brew Works More details here.
- SBDC Workshop: How to Finance Your Business (Tuesday 5:30pm @ Fairview Branch Library): The Small Business Development Center provides an overview of available options for financing your business. More details here.
OPA & City Meetings:
Architectural Review Board Meeting (Monday 7pm): More details here.
Public Safety Reform & Oversight Commission Meeting (Tuesday 5:30pm): More details & agenda here.
OPA Connects Meeting (Wednesday 12pm): Here is the Zoom link.
Planning Commission Meeting (Wednesday 6pm): More details & agenda here.
Housing Commission Meeting (Thursday 6pm): Click Here for agenda.
