MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2001
FR EE
FREE
Volume 1, Issue 30
Santa Monica Daily Press Serving Santa Monica for the past 36 days
Horses win first round in courtroom battle BY CAROLYN SACKARIASON Daily Press Staff Writer
Facing an eviction within three weeks, horses at Will Rogers State Park will be allowed to stay at their home until at least February. Superior Court Judge Jerry K. Fields issued a temporary stay last week after 35 plaintiffs filed suit to prevent the state from removing the horses at the park, located at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains. The department of parks and recreation determined in October that the horse operation was significantly degrading the environment in the area. State officials announced that they would suspend overnight horse boarding so they can evaluate the environmental damage they say is caused by the horses. The state claims that the horses generate nitrogen, potassium and phos-
“We wanted the horses out before the rainy season because it only exacerbates the problem. It’s just not good for the park.” — STEVE CAPPS Parks and recreation spokesman
phorous, which ecologists fear are chemicals that are being carried by run-off into adjacent streams. As a result, all horses were to be removed from the public property by Jan. 10. Now they have until Feb.
13, when a court calendared hearing will consider the merits of the petitioners’ claims. The lawsuit alleges that the department’s eviction notice is unlawful because the department has flouted the state’s promise in 1944 to Will Rogers’ widow that the park will be used “as a memorial and historical monument to the memory of the late Will Rogers.” The suit also claims that the department’s actions violate its own 1992 plan governing the park’s operations, which deemed an equestrian presence “essential to any realistic interpretation of Will Rogers’ life.” But state officials say the removal of the horses is only temporary. Department of parks and recreation director Rusty Areias has always said equestrian activity should be part of Will Rogers’ operation, said Steve Capps, the deputy director of communications for See HORSES, page 3
Fate of Promenade rests with a small group It’s undecided who will be asked to help improve mall’s economy BY ANDREW H. FIXMER Special to the Daily Press
The responsibility of rebuilding the Third Street Promenade into the strong economic engine it once was will rest with just a handful of people. But the make-up of the group that will ultimately steer the Third Street Promenade out of the treacherous waters it is now navigating has not yet been decided. And there is concern among some business representatives that not all voices will be heard when the new “task force” is formed. City officials say they are almost done with blueprints for the new Third Street Promenade task force, which will be
charged with finding ways to make sure no more retail stores take up precious space for restaurants. The task force also will be asked to consider regulations that would prevent any new retail stores from coming in and how — if at all possible — the city can deter landlords from raising rents so small, locally owned stores and restaurants can remain there. City officials say the Promenade is quickly becoming a retail corridor without any flavor, resembling shopping fare commonly found in suburban malls. The city for years has tried to manage the mall so it would be a unique and vibrant entertainment center. Ten years ago there were too many restaurants and not enough retail. Today, it’s just the opposite — large retailers are able to pay more per square foot than small businesses. Looking for the greatest return on their investment, landlords let the space go for whatever the market will bear.
But the Santa Monica City Council is trying to buck that economic trend. It voted last month to place a 45-day moratorium on all development and expansion, consolidation and changes in use of commercial properties along the Promenade. In the meantime, a task force is being formed to address the issues. City administrators say they are on track to finish their report before the holidays. The city council wants the report presented at its first meeting in January so it can have a functioning task force by the end of next month.
“I think the approach will likely be the same (as the downtown parking task force),” said Mark Richter, economic management director the city “But it’s ultimately up to council as to how many members there will be and what their range and scope of work will be.” Typically, the city has created similar task forces that have two council members, two Bayside committee members and a planning commissioner. City officials would not confirm if their recommendation would be similar to past task See PROMENADE, page 3
Pilot dead after plane crashes into mountains Plane took off from Santa Monica By staff and wire reports
An undentified pilot, who took off from Santa Monica Airport, died Friday when his small plane crashed into a mountainous region, authorities said Saturday.
Wreckage of the single-engine Cessna 210 was found at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, said Riverside County sheriff’s Deputy Earl Quinata. The craft left Santa Monica Airport about 3:30 p.m. Friday en route to Hemet, said FAA operations officer Bruce Nelson. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating. The pilot’s name was withheld by authorities.
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Laura Cavanaugh 310-210-1265
Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press
Santa Monica police and firefighters spent Sunday afternoon handing out some sweetness at area parks during their annual candy cane drive. Kids line up at Doulgas Park to give Santa Claus their last-minute gift requests.
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