The Santa Monica Planning Commission has unanimously voted to recommend changes to the city's zoning ordinance that would permanently ease restrictions on downtown businesses, including eliminating prohibitions on dancing and expanding alcohol service options.
The 6-0 vote sends the proposal to the City Council for final approval, and comes as the city shifts its approach to economic recovery in its downtown core and Third Street Promenade area.
"We need to loosen up a little bit," said Vice Chair Josh Hamilton during the meeting, reflecting the commission's consensus that long-standing restrictions have hindered business development.
The proposed changes would make permanent several interim measures that have been in place since 2023, including expanded alcohol exemptions for various business types and greater flexibility for restaurants providing entertainment. Most notably, the amendments would eliminate restrictions on dancing, pool tables, video games, darts and bowling that have been suspended under an emergency order.
Commissioner Shawn Landres made an impassioned plea for removing what he called the city's racist "ban on dancing" permanently citywide.
"The ban on dancing was racist. It was designed to harm African-American residents of the city of Santa Monica," Landres said, adding that he was "happy to see them go" but wanted the changes to be permanent rather than temporary.
The commission's discussion revealed the complex legal and historical context behind current regulations. Commissioner Nina Fresco provided historical perspective, describing Santa Monica's evolution "from a wild west saloon town to an early prohibition town, then becoming fancy pants Santa Monica, and now realizing it needs to loosen up and evolve to meet community needs."
Commissioner Jacob Wasserman criticized the current restrictions as "ridiculous," particularly given the community's need for "third spaces" where people can gather socially.
The zoning changes stem from an ongoing emergency order initially issued in March following the Palisades fire, which suspended enforcement of various business prohibitions. The emergency order, which the City Council ratifies every 60 days, remains active due to continuing needs to assist displaced Palisades businesses relocating to Santa Monica.
"What we are actually seeing now is displaced Palisades businesses," said staff member Roxanne Tanemori during the meeting. "The schools initially very quickly contacted us. What we're seeing now is businesses who were in the Palisades and now are ready to actually reopen again and relocate to Santa Monica."
The emergency order has generated "new waves of questions" as businesses seek space throughout the city, staff reported. Having emergency authority allows the city to "make that change very quickly and take effect immediately," with the city manager having director authority over emergency services.
The permanent changes would expand alcohol exemptions beyond restaurants to include bars, nightclubs, retail stores, convenience markets, cultural facilities and entertainment venues within the Bayside Conservation District and Santa Monica Place. The proposal also extends these exemptions to properties along Ocean Avenue south of Wilshire Boulevard in the Ocean Transition district.
Additionally, the amendments would eliminate the prohibition on fast-food restaurants along the Third Street Promenade, a restriction that was already suspended under interim measures adopted in March 2023.
Staff reported positive feedback from property owners and brokers regarding the city's flexibility under the interim measures. The changes have been "critical for new businesses opening in the Downtown," according to planning documents.
The interim zoning ordinance currently in effect runs through November 2028, but city officials indicated they don't intend to wait that long for permanent changes. Staff plans to bring codification proposals to the council by late summer or fall.
The Planning Commission's action comes as Santa Monica prepares to celebrate its 150th anniversary on July 10, with commissioners noting the timing as symbolic of the city's continued evolution.
The proposal now moves to the Santa Monica City Council for final consideration and adoption.