> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Letter: Conflict of interest concerns over 15th Street public housing approval
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/011007-story/
- Published: 2007-01-10T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T23:43:05.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Burl Michael*

Housing project reaps benefits Editor: Regarding the new public housing project on 15th Street and Broadway, it is ironic that this post-apocalyptic monstrosity that looks like a prison with tinfoil on the front could ever get approved without public input. Maybe it’s no mystery that it got approved because one of the owners of the firm that designed it — Gwyne Pugh — is on the planning commission and has come out on record as opposing any public review of public housing projects. The city can build a 23-unit building on a standard-sized lot, but not private citizens. It would appear that Pugh is in a direct conflict of interest when he is approving policy and projects that benefit his business, are sponsored by his employer — the city of Santa Monica — and negatively impact the surrounding residents. Pugh should be excused from voting on any projects or policies that benefit his firm as a member of the planning commission. Other commission members who have similar conflicts should also be prohibited. How many other architects or business people who are doing business with the city are also on commissions and approving projects that they would benefit from?

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 10, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/011007.pdf?ref=smdp.com)