Neighborhood Groups' Priorities Pinpoint Principal Problems

Hannah Heineman
Mirror staff writer

   The City of Santa Monica has fourteen active neighborhood organizations -- Mid-City Neighbors, The Pico Neighborhood Association, the Wilshire/Montana Neighborhood Coalition, the Ocean Park Community Organization, Friends of Sunset Park, the Sunset Park Associated Neighbors, the North of Montana Association, Northeast Neighbors, Neighbors for a Safer Santa Monica, Downtown Area Residents, South Beach Neighbors, the Lincoln Boulevard Committee, Main Street Area Residents, East Pico Neighbors and Borderline.
   In interviews with the leaders of the various groups,  the Mirror learned that the groups have many concerns in common. 
   Eight of the 14 named parking and traffic issues as either priorities or problems in their area. They were Mid-City Neighbors, Wilshire/Montana Neighborhood Coalition, North of Montana Association, Neighbors for a Safer Santa Monica, Pico Neighborhood Association, Sunset Park Associated Neighbors, Friends of Sunset Park, and Main Street Area Residents.
   Issues related to police protection and law enforcement were listed by seven of the organizations -- Pico Neighborhood Association, Sunset Park Associated Neighbors, Friends of Sunset Park, South Beach Neighbors, Borderline Downtown Area Residents and Northeast Neighbors.
   Another issue which concerned groups around the city was homelessness. The five groups which categorized it as either a problem or a priority to which they would devote attention this year were the Wilshire/Montana Neighborhood Coalition, Neighbors for a Safer Santa Monica, the Pico Neighborhood Association, and the Main Street Area Residents.
   Mid-City Neighbors, the Wilshire/Montana Neighborhood Coalition, and Neighbors for a Safer Santa Monica voiced concerns about over-development. 
   Pico Neighborhood Association, East Pico Neighbors and Borderline all planned to press for neighborhood beautification.
   The proliferation of over-large houses is an issue for Northeast Neighbors and the North of Montana Association. Historic preservation is a priority for members of the Pico Neighborhood Association and Friends of Sunset Park. Both the Pico Neighborhood Association and the Wilshire/Montana Neighborhood Coalition expressed a need for more affordable housing. 
   The Friends of Sunset Park and the Sunset Park Associated Neighbors are lobbying for increased safety at Santa Monica airport and a decrease in noise. 
   Main Street Area Residents are bothered by what they describe as excessive noise from Main Street businesses, while South Beach Neighbors would like to reduce noise on the Santa Monica Pier. 
   Though the neighborhood groups have many issues and priorities in common, some have problems or priorities that are unique to their own areas. Borderline was the only organization concerned with street lighting and improving the Southern end of Lincoln Boulevard. East Pico Neighbors is the only group to prioritize applying for non-profit status and sponsoring neighborhood cultural events. 
   The Downtown Area Residents Association is the only neighborhood group to actively oppose the downtown transit mall. It is also concerned that two City policies are on a "collision course:" more downtown housing and more late night businesses.
   South Beach Neighbors was the only group to identify construction mitigation as a problem and make it a priority for 2001, while Friends of Sunset Park was the only group concerned with the proliferation of cell phone antennas near houses.