Curbs on Construction of ‘Monster Mansions’ Sought

In response to residents’ fears that large new homes are jeopardizing the character of a neighborhood in the north part of Santa Monica, the City Council tonight will consider adopting an interim ordinance to revise development standards in the area.

Since January 1997, the frequency with which houses north of Montana Avenue have been demolished and new single-family homes built is unprecedented, said Andy Agle, a spokesman for the city Planning and Community Development Department. Activity over the last 18 months has been almost as much as during the past six years, he said.

“Many of the new, larger structures do not have a contextual relationship with adjacent structures,” said planning director Suzanne Frick in a statement. “This affects the neighborhood’s sense of open space and privacy.”

Members of the North of Montana Neighborhood Assn. asked the council last month to consider ways to protect their area from what they dubbed “monster mansions”--new homes that are significantly larger than the ones that were razed to accommodate them.

The planning department has recommended several interim revisions to development standards, including minimum setbacks for accessory structures and maximum floor-area for second stories, among other measures.

There will be a period for public comment on the proposed interim ordinance at the council meeting, which will be held at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 1685 Main St.