Hermosa Beach Planning Commission rejects code updates, citing potential retail flight
The sun sets on parking Lot A south of Pier Plaza. Photo A seemingly minor municipal code amendment turned the Hermosa Beach Planning Commission’s Tuesday night meeting into a conversation over the forces that should shape the city’s downtown. The commission narrowly rejected a resolution recommending changes to parking requirements that would have eased the burden downtown restaurants face in expanding their footprint. Commissioners cited concerns that such a change would further tilt the balance of tenants in the area toward restaurants and away from retail. The proposed change has been circulating for approximately a year. It is one of 11 concepts identified in the city’s Downtown Core Revitalization Strategy to address parking issues. While a motion to approve the amendments failed 2-3, commissioners voted 4-1 to have staff return with a report jointly presenting the potential effects of all 11 proposals. Current downtown parking regulations require that, if an occupant wishes to convert an existing structure under 5,000 square feet from non-restaurant use to restaurant use, then the parking requirements for the new facility will be calculated anew. For example, if a…
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