Hotel Plan Adds to Overdevelopment
The continued approval of new commercial projects by Santa Monica and Los Angeles is giving new meaning to the term overdevelopment on the Westside. The proposed Santa Monica Beach Hotel is a case in point. The Santa Monica City Council is attempting to lease part of the public beach for up to 99 years for a luxury hotel that will not only obstruct the ocean view, but also add traffic to PCH, which as it is scarcely moves during rush hours.
There is one positive outcome from this situation--Westside residents are coming out of their houses, apartments and condos and working with their neighbors, often successfully, to stop this overdevelopment madness. I certainly hope this phenomenon continues when the City Council decides whether to approve any more private development on public land.
PETER DONALD
Santa Monica
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