Height increase in historic Cypress District doesn’t go down well
by Elka Worner
A city staff proposal to increase the building height limit in Hermosa Beach’s Cypress District from 35 feet to 45 feet was strongly opposed at the July 19 planning commission meeting, by both commissioners and residents.
The Cypress District has historically been home to surfboard builders, wood workers, recording studios, and more recently, art galleries. It is zoned for light manufacturing, and located between Cypress Avenue and Valley Drive, and between 6th and 8th streets.
Community Development Director Carrie Tai said in a staff report that the height increase would “facilitate the creation of housing to meet the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA).”
Under the state law, the city must provide 558 affordable housing units by 2029. Prospective sites for the additional housing must be identified in the city’s General Plan Housing Element to receive state approval.
“I understand the mechanical, mathematical needs, but this is just not a 45-foot-high city,” Planning Commission Chair Stephen Izant said.
Fellow commissioners agreed.
“I know that if you take away density there, it’s got to go somewhere else. But to go 45 feet in height, I really struggle with that in the Cypress District. We need to sharpen our pencil,” Commissioner David Pederson said.
“I don’t think anybody is looking for anywhere in our city to have a 45-foot height limit. The history of the city demonstrates that,” Vice Chair Peter Hoffman said.
Former councilmember Carolyn Petty, who helped write the city’s General Plan, also spoke out against the proposed height limit increase.
“The General Plan, as everyone is aware, represents thousands of hours of community input and involvement. The community input did not include a 45-foot height limit,” Petty told the commission.
She said the increased height limit is “not harmonious with the surrounding neighborhood.” She also found it “disturbing” that people who live near the Cypress neighborhood were not notified that the proposed change would be discussed at Tuesday’s commission meeting.
“The entire community should be notified,” Petty said.
“The height increase came out of nowhere since the last (housing element) draft and should be removed from the zoning text amendment. This height is not allowed anywhere in town. Why is it being suggested here?” Realtor Dunham Steward asked in an email to the city.
“It’s disheartening to see city staff, and their consultants proactively promote drastic measures that are detrimental to property owners and the character of the community,” resident Karynne Thim, a Realtor, said. “Please protect Hermosa, get us back on track and represent the voices of property tax paying residents who have invested in our town. Residents don’t want mid-rises.” ER
