Miramar Petition Keeps Opponents Energized

Those opposed to a major overhaul of the Fairmont Miramar Hotel say they've gathered more than 1,000 signatures from residents and businesses that agree the proposed redo is too big.

A group of activists——have come together under the name Santa Monicans Against the Miramar Expansion. They are asking the City Council to force developers to make the project smaller and less dense.

“We hope that our voices, now over 1,000 strong, can influence the City Council to tell the developers that this project is not right for Santa Monica. They need to go back to the drawing board and create something that fits in our community. That is our goal,” said Robert Gurfield, a nearby resident and member of the coalition.

Plans to overhaul the 4.5-acre site along Ocean Avenue would more than double the square footage of the existing hotel. It would include the construction of up to 120 condominiums—a mix of luxury and income-restricted units—and the addition of more than 18,000 square feet of shops and restaurants.

The city's Planning Commission has already said the plans need to be scaled down.

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The coalition plans to present the petition at the April 24 meeting of the City Council, a spokeswoman said.

An announcement about the petition gaining 1,000 signatures was made the same day that community leaders representing neighborhood groups from across the Westside held a news conference outside of City Hall to voice  concerns about a separate Santa Monica project. They said plans to redevelop would create far too much traffic in already congested part of town.