by Steve Aspel
Redondo Beach Mayor
I have exciting news –– the start of a new day for Redondo Beach.
It’s Measure B on our city’s upcoming March ballot. And it is a once-in-a-lifetime deal that can realistically remove the privately owned power plant that has loomed over Harbor Drive and our city for over a century.
Measure B is the only guaranteed way to get rid of the power plant. It’s a well-crafted plan that was not done behind closed doors! It is a compromise solution between the city of Redondo Beach and the landowner that’s fair to all sides. Measure B simply rezones the land from industrial to multi-use purposes. It does not approve any specific project, so don’t be fooled by those who claim it does. The measure specifically requires the development of a Master Plan for the property that must be approved by the city council and the California Coastal Commission to ensure the project meets strict coastal building requirements, and reflects our city’s special character.
But opponents of the plan, like Bill Brand, cling to the outrageous claim that Redondo Beach can simply force the landowner to turn over to the city land that is worth millions of dollars so we can have a large regional park.This is absurd.
Without Measure B the existing plant will remain, a new power plant will be constructed, or the site will be used for some other industrial purpose, such as a large-scale battery storage facility or a desalination plant. Pretending that the plant will just go away if Measure B is defeated is not realistic, and financially impossible. It’s a sure-fire way to let this golden opportunity slip through our fingers. On the other hand, passing Measure B is the only way to guarantee the removal of the power plant. It will provide absolute certainty that we will have a waterfront free of the power plant and all industrial development.
Keep in mind that when the current plant is forced to cease operations in 2020, AES can simply leave the building standing for as long as they want. Of course, the building would be maintained and used for filming movies and special events but would continue to be an eyesore for our community.
Take a look at what happened in the city of Carlsbad in San Diego County with their power plant. Bill Brand and his allies have been pointing to Carlsbad as a success story in removing their power plant. But the plant in Carlsbad still remains, and they will soon be getting a brand new power plant plus a desalination facility. Nope, you haven’t been told the entire story.
We make no apologies for Measure B. The area will never be a free park for Redondo Beach. Period. Imagine a 50 acre coastal park. YOU, the taxpayers of Redondo Beach would be spending millions of dollars per year just to maintain it. A park may sound wonderful, but it’s not realistic.
For years, Redondo Beach community leaders have been in discussions with AES over the future of its power plant on Harbor Drive. Finally, we have a solution that protects Redondo Beach but does not violate private property rights.
Measure B removes the power plant forever, opening views of the ocean not seen for 100 years, increasing property values and giving us the opportunity to turn our waterfront into “the crown jewel of the South Bay.”
Measure B guarantees that the site can never again be used for industrial purposes. Instead, it allows the area to be transformed into a beautiful new neighborhood of family homes, cafes, shops, offices, lofts, recreation areas and other permanent open space we can all enjoy.
There is no way there will be 700 homes as Bill Brand asserts –– that will never happen because no city council will approve that, and any development must gain Council approval.
Redondo Beach will have control over the building of Harbor Village, not just the developer. Furthermore, the developer, not taxpayers, must pay for any needed road improvements to prevent traffic congestion and keep local roads flowing smoothly. And if the necessary road improvements are not available, the project must be modified or it won’t be approved.
In addition, the maximum height limit allowed in Measure B is 45 feet. The current plant stands at over 140 feet. The boiler stacks stand at 200 feet! Given that the intersection of PCH and Herondo is 65 feet above Harbor Drive, all you will see from the highway is the water and our harbor!
Measure B creates local jobs and generates over $4 million a year for our city services –– without raising taxes. Don’t believe the claims that Measure B is a net money loser for the city. City Treasurer Steve Diels has reviewed the independent economic analysis and confirmed the development will generate far more revenue for the city than the cost of providing infrastructure and services to the project. We live in a very safe and clean city. We need to pay our police, our firefighters and all of our great employees’ competitive wages to maintain this quality. A Yes vote on Measure B will help ensure this is possible.
Similarly, the Redondo Beach Unified School District will receive $4 million in developer fees prior to construction of Harbor Village. This is required by law. Current school board members confirmed the fees will help build the additional classrooms necessary to accommodate new students, especially since we have many years to prepare.
Measure B provides significant economic benefits for Redondo Beach, beautifies our waterfront, respects AES’s private property rights, and protects taxpayers against protracted legal battles that could cost the city millions of dollars. Measure B makes it possible to close this chapter of our city’s history and move forward.
Measure B is a solution that is fair to all. That is why it has the support of former Mayor Mike Gin, the majority of the Redondo Beach City Council, four of the candidates for city council in District 3, the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce, our police officers and firefighters, local labor leaders, educators, numerous Redondo Beach commissioners and hundreds of respected community members.
Don’t believe the outrageous scare tactics! We have the chance to change Redondo Beach forever. It’s Measure B and I urge you to join me and my family in voting YES on this historical decision.
