North of Montana Neighborhood Organization Getting Results

Mirror staff

Organized only a year ago, the newest Santa Monica neighborhood organization, North of Montana Association (NOMA), is also the most ambitious.
   NOMA founder, Doris Sosin, said, “We have achieved two major goals designed to improve over development in our neighborhood. We have convinced the City Planning Department, Planning Commission and the City Council of the need to put limits on the size of the homes on lots North of Montana. The second goal we achieved was to prohibit construction of rental units in R 1 zones unless they are to be used for family members or health care providers.”
   Sosin went on to enumerate the group’s current agenda.
   First on the list is NOMA’s campaign to convince the City to buy the southwest corner of Euclid Street and Montana Avenue, now occupied by a onetime funeral parlor, and convert it into a “Village Green.”
   According to Sosin, it is the last plot of sizable undeveloped land on Montana and “would be an ideal respite for people to sit, tots to play...a much-needed open space enhanced by trees and greenery.”
   NOMA’s second goal, the City’s allocation of 3% of its annual operating budget for the acquisition of new parklands throughout Santa Monica, has already generated support among residents across the city. In Sosin’s words, “These monies would be used for buying large parcels for sports parks and small parcels for contemplative settings.” 
   Third, NOMA wants to develop a “Master Plan for Montana Avenue,” to deal with “problems of traffic congestion, parking and jaywalking.”
   Fourth, NOMA intends to develop a tree ordinance. Sosin says, “Old, established trees are being demolished along with old houses by bulldozers clearing land for new structures. The whole lot is bulldozed to a barren state just to make it easier for construction crews. We propose an ordinance to save these established trees, part of our urban forest, from destruction.”