Santa Monica : Motel Expansion Rejected

The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to prohibit expansion of the Comfort Inn on Santa Monica Boulevard.

Architect Doug Lowe failed to convince council members that he had met requirements to add more parking and build deeper setbacks. His plan calls for a four-story addition with 66 rooms onto the existing three-story motel.

Although Lowe had lowered the height of the addition and added some parking, council members said the design still did not meet city zoning codes.

A dozen neighborhood activists opposed to the project claimed that it violated several city regulations that govern setback sizes, land use and the placement of on-site loading zones. Residents also argued that the increase in street parking, traffic congestion and density would adversely affect their neighborhood.