CrossFit gym a $1 million ‘nuisance’ to Hermosa Beach
by Dan Blackburn Hermosa Beach residents have learned their contribution to the battle against a Cypress Avenue fitness gym has cost them more than $1.25 million. The city paid CrossFit Horsepower $950,000, authorized by the city council Tuesday; legal costs paid to City Attorney Michael Jenkins’ firm, Best, Best & Krieger, have so far added an additional $302,200 to taxpayers’ tab. Some elements of the agreement appear in court documents obtained from the City, notably that all parties agreed to limiting public comment, and that no party would have to admit wrongdoing or improper action. The document showed that city officials “are pleased” by the outcome. Crossfit Horsepower was challenged on alleged neighborhood noise issues, leading Council Member Stacey Armato to obtain Council approval on a September 2018 vote to declare the business a public nuisance. CrossFit owners Jed Sanford and Dan Wells took exception to the action and filed lawsuits in state and federal courts, naming as defendants the city, Armato, and the city’s Quality of Life prosecutor, Joy Albaquin. Judge Mary Strobel ruled in the state case that Armato was “biased” when she cast her vote, finding the gym was a…
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