Santa Monica : Lodging Program OKd

The City Council approved a hardship provision for a new program that fines owners of low-cost lodging in the city’s coastal zone who demolish their structures. The council had approved an $8,000-per-unit fee in February and directed that it be used to replace such low-cost lodging in the coastal zone, which essentially consists of land on the beach side of Ocean Avenue.

The hardship clause allows the council to reduce the fee to as low as $5,500 for building owners who may find it difficult to pay the higher fee for demolition. The vote was 4 to 0, with Councilmen David Finkel and Herb Katz absent, and Councilman Ken Genser abstaining.

The hardship clause is expected to become effective in 45 days. The council approved the low-cost lodging replacement fee after some council members expressed concern that inexpensive hotel rooms along the coast were rapidly being replaced by more expensive hotels and office buildings.