Santa Monica Council Votes in Support of Park-Centric Future at Airport Site

The decision followed a contentious meeting with over 140 public speakers and more than 1,000 emails received by the council

The Santa Monica City Council voted 6-1 Tuesday in support of a plan to transform the 192-acre Santa Monica Airport site into a public park after its scheduled closure on Dec. 31, 2028, prioritizing open space and recreational facilities over housing development.

The council directed staff to study Scenario 1, a proposal emphasizing ecological restoration, adaptive reuse of existing structures, and compliance with Measure LC, a 2014 voter-approved charter amendment requiring public approval for non-park uses on the former airport land. The plan includes public open spaces, recreational facilities, and the maintenance of existing cultural arts and education uses, ensuring no ballot measure is triggered before the airport’s closure.

The decision followed a contentious meeting with over 140 public speakers and more than 1,000 emails received by the council, reflecting deep community engagement. Supporters of a park-only plan, including the Santa Monica Great Park Coalition and Airport2Park Foundation, rallied outside City Hall before the meeting, advocating for a “Great Park” with features like sports fields, botanical gardens, and community spaces.

Public comments highlighted the need for local recreational facilities. Kate Maringer, a 15-year-old soccer player, spoke of the strain on Santa Monica youth due to limited field access, saying, “We need a safe, LC-compliant park so local kids can create a strong future.” Maddy Denvo, a Santa Monica All Stars softball team member, urged the council to build a park for future generations, citing the sport’s role in fostering community bonds.

A competing motion by Councilmember Natalya Zernitskaya to explore Scenario 3, which included housing and commercial development, failed 3-4. Zernitskaya, Jesse Zwick, and Barry Snell supported studying housing to address Santa Monica’s affordability crisis, but the majority favored a park-focused approach. 

Councilmember Jesse Zwick, the lone dissenter on the final vote, emphasized the logistical inefficiency of focusing solely on adaptive reuse of existing structures without exploring housing potential, noting, “We’re not planning to tear down buildings; we’re talking about adaptive reuses of existing structures, so let’s study what a mix of uses, including housing, would look like on sites that have structures.” 

Zwick also framed housing as a moral imperative, stating, “I’ve heard park advocates support housing, but not where they support it. … Public land is the only chance we have, and I cannot consciously give up all these acres without devoting at least one acre to this desperate need.”

Mayor Lana Negrete expressed concerns about rushing the process without thorough planning. 

“What’s pivotal tonight is not how we talk about the future of the airport but how we treat our responsibility for the generations that come after us,” she said. Reflecting on her evolving perspective, Negrete admitted, “When I first ran for council, I knew far less than I do now about the airport. … The definition of intelligence is changing your mind.” She warned against creating “another vacant promise” like the long-closed Civic Center, stating, “My fear is that if we rush this without a clear, financially sound, and publicly accountable plan, we will lose this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” 

Negrete stressed the need for comprehensive studies, saying, “We should have started with a full economic and environmental report. … I wish we would’ve looked at how we phase it in responsibly over time rather than fence off a major dead zone where it becomes a public safety hazard, specifically a homeless encampment.” 

Councilmember Dan Hall argued that Santa Monica’s growing density demands green space. “Our great-grandchildren deserve open space too,” Hall said. Community members, including Kelly, a local mother, echoed this, citing the need for a “sanctuary” in an urban environment.

in Hard, News
Related Posts

New Beginnings in Brentwood: Dr. Marian Oppenheimer Opens Private Psychology Practice at wellpeople

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

For more than 30 years, Dr. Marian Oppenheimer has dedicated herself to one clear purpose: helping people heal, grow, and...

City Council Removes DTSM Board Members Amid Transparency and Governance Concerns

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

The council’s decision follows tensions between DTSM and the city, including disputes over parking rate increases and maintenance agreements The...

Organization Sues Coastal Commission Over Ballona Wetlands Gas Project

July 30, 2025

July 30, 2025

The lawsuit claims the commission engaged in “piecemealing” by treating a well abandonment as a standalone project, despite its connection...

Officials Push to Halt Lot-Split Housing in Fire-Prone Palisades

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

Pali leaders warn that SB 9 — a law that allows duplexes and lot splits on single-family parcels — is...

Wildfire Price Gouging Protections Extended for Displaced Residents

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

These provisions limit rent increases and hotel rate hikes during a declared emergency and prohibit landlords from evicting tenants The...

Wallis Annenberg, Visionary Philanthropist and Civic Leader, Dies at 86

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

Philanthropist Expanded Foundation’s Reach From Arts to Conservation Wallis Annenberg, a prominent philanthropist and longtime leader of the Annenberg Foundation, died...

Mysterious Dog Deaths Plague Venice Canal Community

July 29, 2025

July 29, 2025

Over the past 10 days, five healthy neighborhood dogs have died unexpectedly, with one currently in the ICU The Venice...

Lane Closures Continue on Pacific Coast Highway for Recovery, Utility Work

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Caltrans is urging drivers to slow down and use caution in the active work zones Single-lane closures will remain in...

Homecare Company Celebrates 14 years of Compassion While Planting New Roots After January Fire

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Luxe Homecare, a leading provider of compassionate and reliable in-home care services for seniors has recently announced the opening of...

County Fund Provides $250K for Malibu & Topanga Businesses Hurt by Wildfire Road Closures

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

The program offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 for eligible businesses located in ZIP codes 90265 and 90290 In...

Yacht Crashes Into Seawall at Marina del Rey’s Fisherman’s Village

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Witnesses at nearby restaurants watched as the mid-size yacht collided A yacht crashed into a seawall at Fisherman’s Village in...

More Than $50 Billion in Damage: What January’s Wildfire Cost the City of Los Angeles

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

Nearly 11,000 Properties, Many in Pacific Palisades, Affected; True Losses Likely Higher Nearly $52 billion in residential real estate across...

Council to Weigh Next Steps in Justice Case on Land Seized from Black Entrepreneur

July 28, 2025

July 28, 2025

The Ebony Beach Club case has become a focal point of Santa Monica’s growing reparative justice efforts The Santa Monica...

Malibu Teen to Paddle 21 Miles for Ocean Cleanup Following Pali Fire

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

His 21-mile prone paddle will trace the coastline from Malibu through Palisades A Malibu high school student and avid surfer...

(Video) A Plus Tree: A Steward of Urban Forest Management Across Los Angeles

July 27, 2025

July 27, 2025

For More Information, Go to Aplustree.com A Plus Tree: A Steward of Urban Forest Management Across Los Angeles For More...