The CenterCal-designed Waterfront: Redondo Beach project has cleared its first hurdle toward construction, though opponents are already preparing an appeal to slow its progress towards final approval.
After seven hours of discussion Monday night, the Redondo Beach Harbor Commission approved the Environmental Impact Report and Conditional Use Permit for the Waterfront project in a 4 to 2 vote. In doing so, they also approved Mole B as a site for a boat launch facility.
“This has been a daunting task, and I appreciate the willingness [of staff] to listen and make changes,” said Harbor Commission Chair Lenore Bloss, at the end of the public hearing for the draft EIR’s approval. “As has been pointed out, we’re not all going to get everything we want, but ultimately we will be pleased and proud of this project.”
This was the second meeting held by the commission to discuss the EIR for the Waterfront project, which will redevelop approximately 523,939 square feet of development in and around Redondo Beach’s King Harbor and Redondo Pier. The first meeting, on July 18, was continued, as commissioners required more time to mull the 12,000-page report, which analyzed the potential environmental impacts of the project on everything from traffic, water quality, noise and land use to geology, air quality and recreation.
The project, as Civic Development Director Aaron Jones said, is “critical to serving as the catalyst to the core of a waterfront village.”
However, a boat launch facility in King Harbor is necessary for any redevelopment project to be approved by the California Coastal Commission. Despite being initially ruled out in the Draft EIR, Mole B, a man-made outcropping that houses Moonstone Park, Redondo Beach Harbor Patrol headquarters and the local outrigger canoe clubs, was selected by city staff and presented to the public in June.
Former Redondo staffer Tim Dornberg, speaking as a member of the public, spoke out against the Mole B site, having participated in an employee survey during his time with the City.
“The outcome prioritized B so far down the list that I’m shocked it’s being talked about,” he said, questioning the safety and blind turns he argued were inherent with the location. “If there’s a collision there…it would be a fault of design. It’s driven by finance, not safety.”
Commissioners Vicki Callahan and Kari Keidser opposed the EIR’s findings and the project itself, expressing concerns regarding traffic congestion and the proposed Mole B launch facility.
“It’s a quagmire of gridlock, a tangled mess of bikes and cars…I’m having a hard time on Pacific Coast Highway already,” Callahan said as she considered the projected 13,136 net new daily car trips generated by the project.
Keidser disagreed with traffic engineer assessments that recommended mitigations would accommodate projected traffic increases. “It’s like saying the 405 is perfectly fine to accommodate traffic flow,” she said.
Callahan said the City was being sold a “gold-plated cow pie.” Keidser said the project’s EIR is insufficient, particularly regarding the Mole B boat ramp.
“The idea that the impact of one mole is the same as any other I think is absurd, and any other boater who uses the harbor would know that,” she said.
Commissioner Dalton voted in favor, preferring Mole B for its lower construction costs and the city’s site control.
Though Bloss was optimistic in the project’s goals to revitalize and improve the harbor, she was realistic. “The bottom line is that, irrespective of what our vote is tonight…it’ll be appealed to the City Council,” Bloss said.
The Redondo Beach City Council will consider the project EIR and permits likely in September or October, according to City Manager Joe Hoefgen.
Rescue Our Waterfront co-founder Nils Nehrenheim confirmed that ROW will be filing an appeal, which must be done within ten days from the commission’s decision.
“We’re talking with our lawyer tomorrow and other community groups, and we’re going to see what the best course of action is after they decided to ram this through without much discussion,” Nehrenheim said.
