and dealers both said there are no records that any permits have been filed.
The changes in land use approved Tuesday allow for the creation of a new application process that will open the door for city staff to survey dealerships to see if there is enough room for trucks to park and unload new cars. In the interests of nearby residents, auto dealeraships will have to demonstrate on an annual basis their compliance with the new laws. City staff is currently formulating a list of criteria in which to measure the dealerships’ cooperation.
“This isn’t a cause to celebrate, but it is definitely a positive step that will help us remain competitive,” said Mike Sullivan, whose family owns several car dealerships in town, including Lexus, Volkswagen and Toyota. “We did get some things, but the most important part is the council was willing to listen to our concerns and meet us somewhere in the middle.”
Some residents expressed concern that allowing for the construction of parking structures would block views from back yards. They are also concerned about traffic caused by the loading and unloading of vehicles on residential streets, a practice they said has increased to the point where some dealerships receive a delivery every day of the week except Sundays.
Noise has also proven an issue, as residents expressed fear that allowing operations in the M-1 district would mean car repairs could be done at all hours of the night, which was offered as an incentive to dealers so they would purchase land and move their dealerships there.
“Most of the dealers have been good neighbors,” said resident Ruth Ann Shanley. “We might have to bitch and complain a bit, but they listen … Some are much worse and they may abuse this.
“Please let the them go underground,” Shanley added, telling the council to approve construction of parking structures underground. “I don’t want to lose my sun. I lost some of the sun on one side of my building and I don’t want to lose the other.”
The City Council passed the ordinance after four hours of discussion, which included making several amendments to address concerns raised by the Santa Monica Auto Dealers Association, or SMADA, which has for the last 20 years fought with City Hall over expanding dealerships, many of which were built more than half a century ago and can’t accommodate changes in the marketplace.
Council members said the debate has dragged on because the issue is so complex, and time was needed to come up with a consensus that auto dealers, elected officials and residents could all accept.
“Our goal was to draft something that can be good for everybody, and I think we have,” said Mayor Bob Holbrook. “This is a serious subject and I think if we keep working together we are going to get it solved.”
Members of SMADA said they contribute more than $6 million a year in sales tax revenue to the city’s general fund, helping to pay for police, fire-fighters, street cleaning and programs to feed the homeless. Without their businesses, the dealers said the city would not be able to finance many of its progressive programs.
Attorney Chris Harding, whose law firm represents SMADA, said tension has built up between the council and auto dealers because many felt their contributions were being overlooked or were not appreciated.
“But that’s changed,” Harding said. “Dealers are more upbeat than I have ever seen since I’ve been in Santa Monica. They feel they are being treated fairly and with respect. Go back 15 years and there was a lot of tension, a lot of distrust. It was not a healthy relationship. (Tuesday) night was a big contrast.”
For example, Harding and city staff were able to reach an agreement during council discussion that led to dealers supporting a section of the law dealing with loading and unloading, a major concern for residents.
“It was just a few words,” Harding said. “But it made a lot of difference to the dealers.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 30, 2006. Read the original PDF.