On Local Government: Regarding AES’s proposal in Redondo Beach, should ‘yes’ be taken as an answer?
After years of gazing at navels and the flapping of gums, there are suddenly two active proposals for the waterfront area of Redondo Beach. The CenterCal project seeks to revitalize the long past moribund Harbor area with more than a half million square feet of a variety of retail, boutique hotel, movie theater and other offerings, including a small amount of open space.
About a year or so after that project was announced, AES, which operates the eyesore power plant on Harbor Drive, announced that it had given up on electricity generation and would like to turn the property into a mixed use development including housing, some retail, a hotel and some, limited, open space. All that would be required is for the people to vote for a zoning change which would permit the new land use.
The timing of the two projects could not be worse. If both go forward, the environmental impacts, including issues of traffic and parking as well as its potential economic viability could create nightmarish situations.
However, in the case of the power plant removal, a rejection of the zoning change could create a situation where the owner of the property might sit and wait until the area degenerates even further, thus passing up on an opportunity many have waited for all their adult lives.
On top of that, add to the mix that four-fifths of the voters in the City will be asked to vote on just one issue, the power plant, on their general election ballot on March 3. That’s because only in District 3 in the center of the City will there be a competitive election on the ballot.
In northernmost District 5 as well as in citywide offices, there is only one candidate for each. Thus, three will be no electioneering. With regular dismal voter turnout during competitive elections, the chances of a goodly number of voters casting ballots in this one seems dim. That is, unless the AES zoning debate gets its due.
Certainly, money will be spent. But, the voters will need to understand that their vote is to rezone the property only. While AES has presented a plan, it is by no means cast in concrete and likely will face changes as it moves along either in coordination with CenterCal or not. Other agencies, such as the California Coastal Commission, have also not yet been heard.
But, to return to the primary question regarding the power plant, do the people want to move forward in concert with the property owner to make it feasible to remove it and the wires running up the hill from it? These chances do not come along very often.
Some have focused on turning that area into complete open space. If they can get up the money and buy the property, then they have a shot at that. But, the future of that site has always been determined as a straight-forward business decision. After all, AES is a publicly-held company responsible to their shareholders.
After many years, they have finally said “yes” to the plant’s removal. It is time to take “yes” for an answer.