Over the weekend, rumors swirled that leadership at Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights (SMRR) is preparing language for a citizen-led ballot initiative for the fall that would allow up to 3,000 units of housing to be built on land currently occupied by Santa Monica Airport. If it moves forward, the measure would appear on this November’s ballot.
The city has the authority to close the airport on January 1, 2029, but a ballot measure approved by voters in 2014 restricts the property’s use to aviation, educational, or open space purposes unless voters approve additional uses. The proposed initiative would seek to grant the city authority to allow housing on the site.
Despite SMRR’s reputation as a major political force in Santa Monica — with some publications referring to its endorsed candidates as “the establishment” — the idea has not been warmly received by local political leaders so far. Two sources confirmed that during a weekend SMRR conference call, at least three current City Council members who have received SMRR endorsements expressed opposition to the measure appearing on this fall’s ballot.
In addition, each of the city’s two most recent mayors — Lana Negrete and Phil Brock – have vocally opposed the idea of allowing for housing on the airport property. Neither won their seats on the Council with SMRR’s support.
Still, a qualified ballot measure would likely have vocal supporters. During last year’s public planning process for the airport site, housing advocates criticized what they described as a dismissive attitude toward even discussing residential development on the property. Although housing options were later explored in more depth, project consultants ultimately favored non-housing uses, in part because current city law prohibits housing on the site.
An advocacy group, Cloverfield Commons, formed last year to push for housing on the airport property, with support from Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) and Unite HERE Local 11. So far, however, neither group has commented publicly on the potential ballot measure.
Throughout 2024 and 2025, Santa Monica’s airport conversion process moved steadily forward while continuing to generate debate about who gets a voice in deciding the site’s future. Early in the year, the City Council advanced the project into Phase 3 and adopted guiding principles, even as questions surfaced about whether public outreach was representative of the city as a whole.
In the spring and summer, residents were asked to weigh in through surveys and interactive tools evaluating three draft scenarios, largely centered on park-focused uses. By midyear, council discussions shifted toward specific design and feature options for a future park, underscoring both growing momentum toward a post-airport vision and persistent tensions over housing, access, and equity in the decision-making process. For Next’s full coverage of the process, click here.
Citizen initiatives require proponents to draft ballot language, obtain approval of a title and summary from the City Clerk, and collect signatures from registered Santa Monica voters — typically between 10 and 15 percent of the electorate, depending on the type of measure.
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