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# Nonprofits protected under RIFT
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/nonprofits-protected-under-rift-editor/
- Published: 2008-08-22T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T20:48:52.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Sherrill Kushner Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City*

John Pacheco, CEO of our local Red Cross Chapter, recently wrote to you to express concern that the Red Cross would be unable to expand its facility if RIFT (now Proposition “T” for “traffic”) were to pass in the November election.

However, any future expansion of the Red Cross, as well as all nonprofit organizations, will be protected under Prop T. Using the Red Cross as an example will show how all nonprofits and small businesses would receive the very same fair treatment under “T.”

Here’s how: 1) The Red Cross would have to more than double its current size in order to even come under the development cap of Prop T. The initiative exempts projects adding less than 7,500 square feet in order to encourage remodels and adaptive reuse of existing buildings. 2) If the Red Cross wanted to build a larger facility, its project would receive significant traffic credits for both the current space it occupies as well as any credits for existing uses of adjacent property purchases it may contemplate. This credit removes the expansion or portions of the expansion from Prop T cap requirements. 3) Both our city and residents have expressed strong support for projects like the Red Cross, which bestow extraordinary community benefits. Our city has indicated its desire to exercise discretion in extra allowances based on community benefit. Prop T encourages and highlights this process.

Additionally, Proposition T’s Web site at www.smRIFT.com provides much information about how “T” benefits small businesses while getting a handle on our traffic problems. Readers who want to learn more can check it out.

Finally, we welcome the opportunity to meet with Mr. Pacheco and any for-profit or nonprofit business owners in Santa Monica to understand how “T” would work. The initiative was carefully drafted with them in mind as a way to keep the businesses we care about in Santa Monica vibrant and viable in the years to come.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 22, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/082208.pdf?ref=smdp.com)