Gavin Newsom pushes environmental exemption for Santa Monica project

Governor Gavin Newsom is advancing a legislative proposal that would grant an environmental exemption for a mixed-use oceanfront development in Santa Monica. The project, designed by the late Frank Gehry, belongs to Jeff Worthe, a longtime Newsom donor and appointee to several state commissions. The proposal would exempt the $350 million project from the California Coastal Act unless the city adopts specific land use policies by 2028.

Environmental advocates have criticized the move as a backdoor deal, noting that previous attempts to expedite the project or exempt shoreline housing were defeated. The project had previously received approval from the Santa Monica City Council and the California Coastal Commission, but those approvals lapsed.

In a separate legislative development, a bill has reached the Governor’s desk that would allow Long Beach to implement speed safety cameras along an eight-mile stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway. The measure aims to address a high rate of traffic fatalities in the area. Additionally, amended legislation regarding coastal planning for Santa Monica has passed the Senate, seeking to provide the city with more direct control over local coastal programs.