2010 Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE)
The Land Use Element and Circulation Elements are key components of Santa Monica’s General Plan, establishing the City’s land use, urban design, and transportation vision. These policy documents provide a long-term framework for implementing this vision, and are a tool for good decision making. They provide flexibility for changes in the City’s economy and land use, and establish criteria and measurements for periodically assessing how well the community’s goals are being met and if adjustments to the policies are necessary.
The 2010 Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) update is a vision and plan for the next 20 years, and reflects a 6 year community input process. The recently adopted comprehensive rewrite of the Zoning Ordinance implements many aspects of the LUCE, and provides clear, accessible and easily administered Zoning Ordinance that can be understood by all. The Zoning Update allows land use policies to be translated directly into standards that implement the goals and objectives of the Land Use Element on a daily basis.
As part of the Zoning Update, several aspects of the LUCE were amended. Additionally, the LUCE was amended on July 25, 2017 following the adoption of the Downtown Community Plan.
Workshops & Milestones
Fri Jul 24, 2015
The LUCE is Amended
The LUCE was amended on July 25, 2015 by the Santa Monica City Council.
Tue Jul 06, 2010
The LUCE is Adopted!
After a lively and thought-provoking series of 7 Planning Commission and 5 City Council meetings, Santa Monica took a giant leap forward with the adoption of the Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE). Reflecting the involvement of thousands of people and community organizations, the final LUCE preserves the City’s unique identity and neighborhood quality of life. It also creates walkable transit villages with creative arts and housing near the future Expo Light Rail stations and expands the range of community benefits. The strategy is balanced to ensure a continued stable, diverse and healthy economy to support emergency, social, cultural, and human services.
With the LUCE vision in place, the City will begin important next steps to bring tangible results to life. This includes community-based planning efforts for the Downtown and Civic Center area, Bergamot Station, Memorial Park and implementation of neighborhood conservation and historic preservation strategies.
Tue Jul 06, 2010
City Council Session
Adoption of the Final LUCE/Certification of Final EIR
Thu Jul 01, 2010
City Council Session
Council will be asked to discuss and conceptually endorse LUCE concepts pertaining to Heights and Sustainability/Monitoring & Implementation and will begin its final deliberations leading to adoption of resolutions on the FEIR and the LUCE at the July 6, 2010, hearing.
Thu Jun 24, 2010
City Council Session
Council will be asked to discuss the Final EIR and discuss and conceptually endorse the following LUCE concepts:Districts, Activity Centers, and Mix of Uses.
Tue Jun 15, 2010
City Council Session
Thu Jun 10, 2010
City Council Session
Council will be asked to discuss and endorse the following LUCE concepts:Community Benefits, Housing Strategy, Employment Strategy, and Fiscal Impact of Future Land Uses.
Thu Jun 03, 2010
Planning Commission Session
Thu May 27, 2010
Planning Commission Session
Sustainability, Community Character, Height and Design Flexibility, Public Participation, Monitoring and Phasing, Mix of Uses
Mon May 24, 2010
Planning Commission Session
Community Benefits, Sustainability, Community Character, Height and Design Flexibility, Public Participation, Monitoring and Phasing, Mix of Uses
Wed May 19, 2010
Planning Commission Session
Additional topics for this hearing may include, but not be limited to, Activity Centers, Community Benefits, Sustainability, Community Character, Public Participation, Monitoring and Phasing.
Mon May 17, 2010
Planning Commission Session
Review and prepare recommendations to the City Council on the Draft Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) and Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR). Additional topics for this hearing may include, but not be limited to, Integrated Land and Transportation, Transit Villages and Activity Centers, and circulation and trip reduction strategies.
Wed May 12, 2010
Planning Commission Session
Review and prepare recommendations to the City Council on the Draft Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) and Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR).
Thu May 06, 2010
Planning Commssion Session
Review and prepare recommendations to the City Council on the Draft Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE).
Wed Apr 07, 2010
Workshop: Draft LUCE
The workshop discussion included discussion on Neighborhood Conservation strategies, transportation improvements and increased access to local needs, jobs and creative arts, and related topics in the Draft LUCE.
Tue Jul 14, 2009
City Council Meeting
Update on Progress Made Towards a Revised Land Use and Circulation Element for City Council Feedback and Direction.
Tue Jul 07, 2009
Workshop: Taking Charge of Our Future
Over 150 residents and members of the business
community gathered at the East Wing of the Civic Auditorium to discuss which services,
benefits and amenities were most critical to the health and well-being of the City.
Sat Jun 06, 2009
Workshop: Neighborhood Conservation
Nearly 100 residents, property owners and members of the business community participated, receiving information and engaging in a dialogue about the attributes of their neighborhoods, what challenges they faced, and which
solutions might deliver the most positive outcome.
Mon May 18, 2009
Workshop: EIR Scoping
Tue May 12, 2009
City Council Meeting
Update on progress made towards the Draft Land Use and Circulation Element – recommendation to review and provide direction on critical action items that integrate with the Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) Strategy Framework and progress on development of the Draft LUCE.
Mon May 11, 2009
Workshop: Downtown and Civic Center
Tue Feb 10, 2009
City Council Meeting
Exposition Light Rail Phase 2 Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) Presentation and Preliminary Discussion - recommendation that Council receive this report as a first step toward developing the City's recommendations to the Exposition Construction Authority and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority concerning the future Exposition light rail project within the City of Santa Monica.
Thu Jul 24, 2008
City Council Meeting
Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) Strategy Framework - recommendation that Council review the LUCE Strategy Framework, and based upon the review and Planning commission and community input, endorse the Framework with appropriate comments and direct the staff to proceed with economic, transportation and environmental analysis and evaluation. (Continued from July 22, 2008.)
Tue Jul 22, 2008
City Council Meeting
Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) Strategy Framework - recommendation that Council review the LUCE Strategy Framework, and based upon the review and Planning commission and community input, endorse the Framework with appropriate comments and direct the staff to proceed with economic, transportation and environmental analysis and evaluation.
Wed Apr 02, 2008
Workshop: Integrating the Plan
Wed Mar 05, 2008
Planning Commission Meeting
Recommendations for the Proposed Land Use Designations for the Land Use and Circulation Element. The Planning Commission is requested to review, and provide comment and direction on the proposed land use designations and land use designation map for the City.
Sat Mar 01, 2008
Workshop: Transportation #3
Sat Feb 09, 2008
Workshop: Boulevards
Thu Dec 06, 2007
Workshop: Transportation #2
Thu Oct 25, 2007
Workshop: Industrial Lands #2
Approximately 120 participants explored future visions for land use and transportation, particularly in light of the opportunities presented by the planned Exposition Light Rail.
Sat Oct 06, 2007
Workshop: Transportation #1
Sat Jul 21, 2007
Workshop: Industrial Lands #1
Nearly 100
residents, property owners and members of the business community participated,
receiving information and engaging in a dialogue about their vision for this area,
which contains critical components of the City’s economic and social diversity.
Tue Jun 19, 2007
City Council Meeting
Staff recommends that the City Council endorse the Neighborhood Conservation and Placemaking Principles as a component of the Land Use and Circulation Elements.
Wed Jul 05, 2006
Planning Commission Meeting
It is recommended that the Commission modify as appropriate and advise the City Council to endorse the proposed Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) goals at their July 11, 2006 meeting. It is further recommended that the Commission continue working with staff on the development of the alternatives workbook, including indicators to be used for comparing alternatives.
Wed Jun 07, 2006
Planning Commission Meeting
This report transmits Land Use and Circulation Element draft goals and objectives, and comments received in response to public outreach on this topic.
Thu Mar 30, 2006
Report to City Council
Land Use and Circulation Element Update
Tue Jan 24, 2006
City Council Meeting
Supplemental Report to the Land Use and Circulation Elements Draft Alternatives, Common Elements, Performance Indicators and Measures, and Proposed Public Outreach Program
Tue Jan 10, 2006
City Council Meeting
Draft Alternatives, Common Elements, Performance Indicators and Measures to be Studied and Analyzed as part of the Land Use and Circulation Element Project, and Proposed Public Outreach Program
Wed Jan 04, 2006
Planning Commission Meeting
Discussion regarding the Alternatives phase of the Shape the Future 2025 and Motion by the Ocean project. This discussion will include background information to establish context, identify goals for this phase of the project, and outline a conceptual approach to present, evaluate and test plan alternatives. The Commission will provide direction and offer recommendations to staff regarding this approach. Continued from December 7, 2005.
Wed Dec 07, 2005
Planning Commission Meeting
Discussion regarding the Alternatives phase of the Shape the Future 2025 and Motion by the Ocean project. This discussion will include background information to establish context, identify goals for this phase of the project, and outline a conceptual approach to present, evaluate and test plan alternatives. The Commission will provide direction and offer recommendations to staff regarding this approach.
Wed Nov 02, 2005
Planning Commission Meeting
Discussion regarding the Alternatives phase of the Shape the Future 2025 and Motion by the Ocean project. This discussion will include background information to establish context, identify goals for this phase of the project, and outline a conceptual approach to present, evaluate and test plan alternatives. The Commission will provide direction and offer recommendations to staff regarding this approach.
Wed Oct 05, 2005
Planning Commission Meeting
Discussion and appointment of Planning Commissioner representatives to work with other City Boards, Commissions, and Task Forces to enhance awareness, facilitate discussion, and share / receive information related to the Shape the Future 2025 and Motion by the Ocean Projects. Requested by Commissioner Johnson.
Wed Sep 07, 2005
Planning Commission Meeting
Presentation, discussion, possible direction to staff and recommendation to the City Council regarding the Shape the Future 2025 and Motion by the Ocean Project’s Opportunities and Challenges Report
Mon Jul 11, 2005
City Council Meeting
Alternative strategies to preserve the City's zoning flexibility while advancing key Land Use and Circulation Element Interests in light of proposed State Proposition 90 - recommendation that Council consider whether elements of the Shape the Future 2025/Motion by the Ocean (Land Use and Circulation Elements) effort may and should be expeditiously implemented to address community concerns related to building height, scale, density and character, and give staff appropriate direction.
Thu Jun 02, 2005
City Council Meeting
Request of the Planning Commission that Council amend the schedule for the Land Use Element, Circulation Element, and Zoning Ordinance update to allow more time for public, Planning Commission and City Council review.
Sun Apr 24, 2005
City Council Meeting
Emerging Themes Staff Report
Wed Dec 15, 2004
Planning Commission Meeting
Discussion of Land Use and Circulation Elements Five Month Schedule and anticipated Planning Commission meeting schedules.
Tue Oct 26, 2004
Joint Meeting of Planning Commission and City Council
Joint Discussion of the Land Use and Circulation Element and Zoning Ordinance Update; Introduction of Project Team; Discussion of Roles and Resources; Review and Approval of the Public Participation Program
Mon Oct 11, 2004
Memorandum from Planning Commission
Recommendation to the City Council regarding the Public Participation Program, Planning Commission Involvement, Data Collection Strategies, and Resource Allocation Enhancements, related to the City's Land Use and Circulation Elements and Zoning Ordinance Update.
Tue Jul 13, 2004
City Council Meeting
Award of Professional Service Contract to Prepare a Comprehensive Update to the Land Use Element of the General Plan and to the Zoning Ordinance; Documentation of the Circulation Element Update; and Preparation of a Comprehensive Environmental Impact Report