Hermosa council proposes relaxing parking requirements

by Dan Blackburn

With little discussion and much expressed enthusiasm, the Hermosa Beach City Council unanimously approved first reading of an ordinance amending off-street parking in commercial zones that officials believe will enhance small business opportunities.

Planning officials said the amendments were proposed after businesses suggested parking was a major impediment to redeveloping and attracting new businesses to Hermosa Beach.

Council member Mary Campbell called the amendments “a great first step” to improve parking, while fellow member Stacey Armato called the changes “fairly modest.”

Mayor Justin Massey said the council was “just putting our thumb on the scales” to benefit city businesses.

Among the changes called for by the ordinance proposal:

•  A change of use will be allowed without requirements for additional required parking so long as there is no change in a building’s square footage. These amendments do not include alcohol-serving establishments.
•  Additions to existing businesses up to 10 percent (again, except those serving alcohol) will not require additional parking. Additions of more than 500 square feet would require parking for only the new space;
•  Exempt small commercial establishments of 5,000 or fewer square feet of ground floor nonresidential use from parking requirements. Ordinance does not apply to office or late-night alcohol establishments; the “associated food establishment” can then “provide the same food and beverage service in the on-site outdoor dining area that is provided indoor.” This amendment does allow alcohol and table service. Specific limitations now in code will be removed, allowing the city’s Planning Commission to “weigh in on the merits of the request,” according to a staff report.
•  Tandem parking for employees will be allowed, as well as implementation of valet parking.

The proposal is less than ideal, according to resident Dean Francois. In an email to the council, Francois asserted the proposed ordinance “deceives the public to think that we are reducing off street parking.”

Francois argued that “large bars and restaurants” will be the primary beneficiaries of the changes, and that “the end result of this will also be an invitation for an oversized hotel development to move right into our quaint city and change the character of Hermosa for generations to come.”

In other action, the council:

•   Gave final approval to an ordinance allowing professionals conducting home-based businesses without a requirement to maintain a principal licensed office in a commercial zone;
• Approved an agreement with Friends of the Parks for annual events including Pets in the Park, held at Valley Park; Movies at the Beach, south of the Pier; and Pumpkins in the Park, at Edith Rodaway Friendship Park.
•  Directed City Manager Suja Lowenthal to draft a policy requiring city employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, or as an alternative, be tested for the virus weekly, at city expense. The issue divided the council, which voted 3-2 to approve the motion by Council member Stacey Armato. Mary Campbell and Mike Detoy dissented. The policy, termed “hybrid,” will require vaccinations of all employees with one of the three available vaccines is approved by the FDA within 60 days of the approval. An employee will be allowed to select any of the three available.