In addition to hearing the first reading of an ordinance banning larger jets from Santa Monica Airport (story below), the City Council made some other significant decisions at its Tuesday night meeting.

First, it denied an Appeal of the Landmarks Commission designation of a garden apartment at 423-431 Ocean Avenue as a City Landmark.

Later, despite eloquent appeals by its residents and the objections of other members of the public, the Council directed the staff to pursue a velopment Agreement negotiation and review process with the owners of the Village Trailer Park to determine whether an appropriate project can be identified for the site on Colorado Avenue east of Stewart Street.

The Council also authorized the execution of a Memorandum of derstanding that holds the pending notice of closure that would have been effective January 31, 2008.

A number of park residents, most of whom have lived there for many years, described the pleasures of life there — the strong sense of community, the ease and convenience, and the opportunity to have gardens and patios adjacent to their trailers. The father of two young sons said they would much rather live in the park than in a house,

Some park residents wondered if the park were closed and they were evicted, whether they would be reimbursed for the costs of their trailers. One resident said hers had cost $110,000.

Other speakers deplored the City’s continuing refusal to declare a moratorium on new developments until the completion of the General Plan.

Several other people said the proposed project, which includes four-story buildings, would be out of place in a neighborhood of one and two-story houses and small apartment buildings.