Santa Monica Planning Commission Meeting Ju;y 15, 2026

The City of Santa Monica Planning Commission held a meeting on July 15, 2026, primarily focused on a conditional use permit (CUP) request to expand an existing large family daycare facility at 1029 26th Street from 12 to 40 children. Staff presented the proposal, including parking and loading operations plans (PLOP), state licensing requirements, and neighborhood outreach efforts. The commission heard extensive public testimony both in support of and opposition to the expansion, with concerns raised about parking availability, traffic safety—especially at the nearby roundabout and pedestrian crossings—and noise impacts on the residential neighborhood. The applicant and staff addressed these concerns by proposing staggered drop-off and pick-up times, a good neighbor agreement with annual compliance reporting for up to three years, and operational conditions limiting outdoor play to before 4 p.m. After detailed discussion and amendments, the commission approved the CUP with conditions including monitoring of parking and loading operations, community engagement, and safety considerations. Additional agenda items included discussions on unbundled parking policies and coastal infrastructure, but the primary procurement-related focus was the daycare facility's CUP approval and associated operational conditions.