Airport Tanks on Council Agenda as Bay Street Surfers Keep Eye on SMO's Future
As the morning light hit the waves at Bay Street this Tuesday, the usual crowd of pre-work surfers debated more than just swell conditions. With the Santa Monica Airport's future once again landing on tonight's City Council agenda, conversations between paddle-outs turned to underground fuel tanks and what their potential removal might mean for our neighborhood. "I've lived off of Ocean Park for fifteen years," says Monica Geller, adjusting her wetsuit in the parking lot. "Every decision about the airport feels like we're inching closer to something bigger." She's not wrong. Our city's relationship with SMO has been contentious for decades, with many residents in the surrounding neighborhoods of Sunset Park and Ocean Park advocating for its eventual conversion to parkland and community space.
Fuel Tanks Discussion Ignites Broader Airport Debate
Tonight's council meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall on Main Street, will see our elected officials considering the removal of underground fuel storage tanks at Santa Monica Airport. While seemingly procedural, this infrastructure decision carries significant weight for residents who have long worried about environmental impacts. The tanks, which store jet fuel and aviation gasoline, have been a concern for neighbors along Dewey Street and 23rd who have questioned their environmental safety for years. Many residents from the Sunset Park Action Coalition will likely attend, as they've been vocal about pollution concerns at previous Montana Avenue community meetings. The removal discussion happens against the backdrop of our city's broader commitment to eventually repurpose the airport land when federal obligations expire, making what seems like routine maintenance potentially more consequential for our neighborhood's future.
Water Infrastructure Improvements Tap Into Sustainability Concerns
Beyond airport matters, our water future will take center stage as the Council discusses critical infrastructure improvements. With California's drought conditions becoming our new normal, Santa Monica has positioned itself as a leader in water self-sufficiency goals. The proposed improvements would affect several areas, particularly parts of Mid-City and Ocean Park, where aging water mains have caused occasional disruptions for residents. "We've had three water main breaks on 11th Street in the past two years," notes long-time resident Tom Fielding, who often bikes to the Wednesday Downtown Farmers Market. "The infrastructure is showing its age." The Council's decision will directly impact our city's resilience plans and potentially influence water rates for homeowners from Montana Avenue to the Pico District. Many of us who have installed drought-tolerant landscaping in recent years are particularly interested in how these improvements might support our community's sustainability targets.
Historic Preservation Appeal Highlights Tension Between Development and Character
The third major agenda item involves a historic preservation appeal that exemplifies our community's ongoing tug-of-war between development and maintaining Santa Monica's unique character. While details of the specific property weren't disclosed in advance, these appeals have become increasingly common as property values near Main Street and in our walkable neighborhoods continue to climb. The tension between preserving our beach city's architectural heritage and addressing housing needs has become a defining issue at City Hall. Many residents who frequent the Sunday Main Street Farmers Market have expressed concern about losing the distinctive bungalow aesthetic that has defined parts of Ocean Park for generations. "We need housing, absolutely," says architect and 20-year Santa Monica resident Diane Winters, who often walks her dog along Adelaide Drive. "But we also need to protect what makes this place special. Every time we lose a historic structure, we lose part of our community's soul."
Why Tonight's Meeting Matters Beyond City Hall
For those of us who call Santa Monica home, tonight's seemingly routine council agenda touches on three core issues that define our community's future: the airport's environmental impact, our water resilience, and the character of our neighborhoods. These decisions will reverberate from the Pier to the eastern edges of our city. While many residents may be stuck in traffic on the 10 during tonight's meeting, the Council's decisions will affect our daily lives in tangible ways. The airport discussions particularly touch on long-term visions for what our city might become, with the potential for new public spaces if the airport eventually transitions to other uses. Our city's approach to water infrastructure directly affects both our sustainability goals and our utility bills. And how we handle historic preservation shapes the visual and cultural landscape of neighborhoods that draw both tourists and new residents to our coastal community.