Appeal hearing held to Jan. 15
A rendering of the South Bay Galleria redevelopment project. Photo courtesy South Bay Galleria
An appeal hearing for Redondo Beach’s South Bay Galleria project has been postponed until January to allow its developers more time to address public concern.
The hearing, originally planned for Oct. 23, is a continuation of an initial appeal by Redondo Beach resident Doug Boswell. Boswell was the last appellant standing after two others negotiated settlements with Galleria parent company QIC.
“It was clear to us at our Oct. 2 public hearing that our design intent wasn’t coming through as clearly as we would have hoped,” John Alderson, QIC executive vice president, said in a statement. “We wanted to take the time to communicate more deliberately our vision for a new center that will deliver the vibrancy and excitement Redondo Beach deserves. But that takes time.”
Galleria redevelopment plans include retail expansion, a 150 room hotel, 300 apartment units, and up to 175,000 square feet of office space. The project hopes to spark interest in a shopping center that’s watched customers and tenants steadily fade since Nordstrom left for Del Amo Fashion Center in 2015.
Boswell and assembled residents opposing the project have taken issue with those plans, arguing that the project would increase traffic at already-stressed intersections and that residential units are unnecessary.
“We’ve been building out for more than 100 years,” Boswell said on Oct. 2. “There’s no more room. You have to live somewhere else.”
Council members took issue with QIC’s plan to split the project site into 59 separate parcels for financing purposes, supposing QIC planned to flip individual parcels. Alderson countered, saying his company deals in long-term investments.
Residents were also concerned that QIC didn’t offer a firm minimum amount of office space for the project. Alderson said that his company “doesn’t build [speculative] office space.”
Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand said that he met with Alderson, and was encouraged by their discussion.
In his statement, Alderson said that QIC would be ready to present by the end of November, but believed holding hearings amid the holiday season “would be disrespectful.”
“We are listening to the community and looking forward to returning to the City Council on Jan. 15 with a clearer articulation of the issues and a more well-defined vision,” Alderson said.
“QIC heard the concerns of the Council and the public, and they’re doing their best to address those concerns in a meaningful way,” Brand said. “There’s going to be a similar meeting in January, they’re just going to see more detailed plans and address some of the important issues and concerns.”