City Council Approves Motion to Set Timeline for the Closure of the Santa Monica Airport
July 27, 2016 11:48 AM
SANTA MONICA, Calif. – On Tuesday, July 26, 2016, the Santa Monica City Council unanimously approved a motion to consider a resolution indicating its intent to close the Santa Monica Airport by June 30, 2018 or as soon as legally permitted. Council directed staff to bring a proposed resolution to its August 23, 2016 meeting.
“We are committed to reclaiming our land and this motion gets us closer to protecting the health and safety of our residents, and to transitioning the Airport land to better uses, uses the community has asked for at the ballot box,” said Mayor Tony Vazquez who introduced the motion with Mayor Pro Tempore Ted Winterer.
In 2014, Santa Monica voted to pass Ballot Measure LC, which mandates that if the Airport land is permanently closed to aviation uses, it will be used for parks, open space, and recreational facilities, unless the voters decide otherwise.
The Council also directed the City Manager to report back to us on what other measures could be taken in the interim to reduce the impacts of the Airport and to implement the proposed resolution, which includes jump starting the planning process and environmental analysis under the California Environment Quality Act to get Santa Monica closer to the community’s vision for the land.
“This motion helps clear the air regarding our intent, which is to close the Airport as soon as is possible. Equally important is to dispel rumors that the City wants to turn the Airport into a massive development,” said Mayor Pro Tempore Ted Winterer.
The City Council will consider the resolution to close the Santa Monica Airport on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at Santa Monica City Hall, City Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street.
For more information on the efforts to close the Santa Monica Airport, visit http://www.smgov.net/Departments/CMO/content.aspx?id=44740.
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