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Planning commission backs broad zoning streamlining and narrows alcohol expansion after hours debate
Summary
Santa Monica planning commissioners directed staff to codify downtown emergency zoning changes, streamline land-use reviews citywide and expand some alcohol exemptions while keeping true bars subject to higher scrutiny; commissioners set parameters for groceries, food halls and taprooms and sent redlines to council.
Santa Monica City Planning Commission spent its Jan. 21 meeting weighing a sweeping package of zoning amendments staff says is designed to make it easier for businesses to open and operate while formalizing emergency pandemic-era rules the city has been using.
Staff presented a multistage plan to permanently adopt portions of the downtown interim zoning ordinance, downgrade some discretionary entitlements (conditional use permits) to staff-level minor permits or permitted uses, and clarify land-use tables across the city. Planners argued the changes remove unnecessary delays for common businesses such as grooming and small retail, and reduce costs for applicants.
Commissioners generally supported codifying the downtown IZO…
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