Santa Monica : Water Garden Complex OKd

A development agreement that permits construction of the massive Water Garden office complex has received final approval from the City Council, but only after members raised questions about sewage treatment at the project.

The council voted 4 to 2--with Councilwoman Christine Reed absent--to approve the $250-million, 1.26-million-square-foot complex. But it ordered city staff to spell out how the developer, Jerome H. Snyder, will comply with sewage treatment requirements.

City staff has 30 days before the development agreement is executed to draw up those guidelines.

Councilman David Finkel said it was “stupid and irresponsible” to go ahead and approve the development agreement without specifying sewage treatment first. Finkel and Councilman Dennis Zane cast the dissenting votes.

Snyder has agreed to provide on-site sewage treatment.

As part of the project, Snyder also will be required to pay $6.4 million in traffic improvement fees. The complex, which will be built on a 17-acre lot on Colorado Avenue at Cloverfield Boulevard, will include offices, restaurants, medical offices, stores and a health club, built around an artificial lake.