Council votes 3-2 on where to put affordable housing
The Redondo Beach city council has decided where affordable housing will be built, or at least zoned for, in the next eight years.
The plan passed 3-2, echoing an earlier vote to place the state-required units in districts four, five (North Redondo) and three.
“If we had a choice, none of us would be doing this,” said Councilman Todd Loewenstein.
Representative Laura Emdee (District 5) concurred, though voting against the draft housing element, saying it was not spread out enough among the five districts.
Councilmember Christian Horvath (District 3) was the second “no” vote.
The State requires Redondo Beach to feasibly zone for 2,400 additional housing units before 2029 — across income categories — part of an effort to make up for the previous eight years in which California housing did not meet the demand.
Sean Scully, Redondo Beach planning director, gave a presentation to the city council Oct. 5. It was informed by 22 meetings of the city’s General Plan Action Committee.
“Where to put (the housing), and what’s the density we should allow,” Scully said.
Following his talk, Councilmember Zein Obagi (District 4) — showed pictures of the new Vox development in Culver City, saying it was attractive, and next to Green Line transportation.
Emdee later responded.
“North residents are saying to distribute the housing throughout the city,” she said. “You’re putting all the low-income housing in the north.”
She noted the population is 42,000 in the north and 25,000 in the south.
“What I’m talking about is equity,” Emdee said.
During public comments to the city council, a suggestion was made not to put the affordable housing in “the charming south.”
“Just so you know, North Redondo is charming also,” said Emdee.
Councilmember Todd Loewenstein said of south Redondo, “It won’t be affordable ever, it’s the beachfront.”
As for areas in north Redondo near the Green Line, “It’s where density should be,” Loewenstein added.
Comments continued.
“You can have inclusionary housing on the beachfront,” said Emdee.
Councilman Nils Nehrenheim made the motion to approve the 2021-29 housing plan.
“Inclusionary” is defined as having 20 percent of the units being affordable. This is the sixth, eight-year update of the Redondo Beach Housing Element. ER