Misplaced property values
Dear ER:
Many supporters of Hermosa Beach School Bond Measure S refer to how this bond will benefit property values. That may be true, but it is by no means the reason why we support bringing our schools up to the standards students of Hermosa deserve. We feel a responsibility to all children to provide quality education. We are seniors and have no children or grandchildren in the district. Since the last bond measure failed, we have attended every envisioning meeting the School Board has held. It is obvious to us that the board received the voters’ message loud and clear: Don’t assume the independent and inquisitive voters of our amazing little city will vote for anything without a clear path explained.
Let’s not worry about our property values. They have gone up and down and back up again since we settled at the beach in 1963. Let’s put our faith in our School Board and support Measure S for the sake of our future leaders. Visit the schools and see for yourselves how crowded they are, and what wonderful kids and staff we have in this town.
Tony and Linda West
Hermosa Beach
Compton outspends Hermosa
Dear ER:
While I am at the age that most people would be more interested in chasing kids off their lawns than worrying about their education, I am very concerned about the Hermosa Beach schools. Overcrowding, poor lighting and poor electrical systems result in a very poor environment in which to learn. Measure S, on the June 7 ballot, will provide Hermosa Beach students with every advantage for better learning.
I was appalled to learn that Compton assesses taxpayers more for education than Hermosa Beach. Hermosa Beach has the lowest assessment for education of any of the South Bay community. Unfortunately fewer than 20 percent of Hermosa residents have children in the school system. Therefore, it is incumbent on people like me who have no dog in this hunt, but care deeply about our kids to vote for this measure.
If all of the above reasons do not motivate you to vote yes on S, then the fact that property values are dependent on the reputation of a city’s school system. History shows, and Hermosa Beach Mayor Carolyn Petty has pointed out, that cities that neglect their schools, often see a decline in their quality of life. And don’t worry, I don’t even have a lawn to chase kids way from.
Tom Northup
Hermosa Beach
G for good memory
Dear ER:
As many probably remember, in 2010, Redondo residents voted yes on Measure G, setting the limits on development at the waterfront. Since then, we’ve all been eagerly awaiting a long overdue development on our decaying waterfront within the parameters that we set.
CenterCal has been listening to residents and shaping its plans according to Measure G in the four years since they started working on their project. More than five years have come and gone since we went to the ballot box and support for the project from Redondo residents has only grown. Why is it only now that opponents are suddenly unhappy with Measure G? If you look at their claims it is clear that they are either exaggerated or completely untrue.
We may not be happy with every piece of the project, but we can all work to ensure that our quality of life doesn’t suffer through compromise. We must build on the progress we’ve already made, not destroy five years of work with the community.
Eric Saneholtz
Redondo Beach
Village values
Dear ER:
CenterCal is having neighborhood wine and cheese meetings to show videos and claim their overdeveloped harbor to shopping center conversion will increase home values. At first I thought, “Are you kidding.” Then I realized they are cherry picking the facts.
According to the National Association of Home Builders, movie complexes and restaurants are amenities for neighborhoods. The reality is these attract traffic, noise, congestion, harsh night lighting and loud-playing car radios. If your home is near these services but out of their direct path, they add value. If your home is affected directly by them, value is decreased.
Between The Village, Seascape 1 and Seascape 2 there are about 632 condos that will be directly impacted. How much value will these condos in the direct path of CenterCal’s lose?
Views which can add 10 percent value to a property is the first casualty of this project. Taking the average 1 bedroom condo at The Village ($525,000). That reduction is at least $52,500 per unit. Multiply by 632 and it’s more than $33 million. In reality that number will be closer to $45 million to $50 million since there are 2 and 3 bedroom units in these complexes. Beyond views they will have construction for three years.
If people want to live near a shopping mall move to Del Amo. There the cost per square foot averages $486 instead of $853 by the harbor.
Wayne Homes
Redondo Beach
One for two
Dear ER:
I was surprised to learn that Redondo Beach District 3 Councilmember Christian Horvath was recently quoted as saying that when he meets with CenterCal, he finds himself bringing up the Rescue Our Waterfront issues. The fact that Horvath, a member of both the City Council and the Chamber of Commerce, resonates with ROW is noteworthy. Even supporters of the project are recognizing the development’s deep flaws and questioning its financial viability.
But back in January, Horvath voted to extend the city’s Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with CenterCal. That vote was tied 2-2. Mayor Steve Aspel broke the tie in favor of the extension. Had Horvath voted against the ENA extension, the CenterCal ENA would have expired in August and the AES taskforce could have resumed, with both properties under consideration. The city could have pushed for an integrated plan with one developer for the two sites. That developer could have participated in the first master plan update for the city in over 20 years. That developer could have spread cost, overhead, infrastructure upgrades, revenue, impact and density over a larger area to balance our waterfront. Hopefully city leadership finds the courage to lead us towards a single, integrated vision. Revitalize not supersize.
Martin Holmes
Redondo Beach
Fun unleashed
Dear ER:
Many thanks to the 250-plus pups, cats, birds, bunnies, hamsters and their parents who came out Saturday for the Hermosa Beach Friends of the Parks Pets in the Park at Valley Park day. This event served as a community fundraiser to improve and promote the use of Hermosa Beach parks and recreation programs. We licensed and vaccinated many Hermosa pets. All the dogs behaved themselves and were model canine citizens. Friends of the Parks would like to extend a special thank you to the City of Hermosa Beach and the staff of Parks and Rec, Public Works, police, the city cashier’s office, CERT, Circle K, Key Club, Builders Club, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. A huge round of applause for our emcee Vera Jimenez, Pet Costume Parade leaders Mayor Carolyn Petty, musician Jack Tracy and judges Bob Rosenthal, Don DeMedeiros, Al Muratsuchi and Mike Flaherty. Thank you to our wonderful clergy – Reverend Nyback, Father Kim and Rabbi Katz for Blessing our animals. Thank you to volunteers Sonia Deza, Dorothy Yost, Dorothy Forba, Sue Bartholomew, Terri Herrick, Arlene Herrick, Lisa Shea, Bethany Drogula, Sylvia Lugo and Isabel Rodriguez. Thanks to BowWow Boutique for sponsoring the Pet Tricks. We thank our generous Platinum Sponsors including Dog’s Best Friend, Concierge Mobile Animal Hospital, Healthy Spot, Kriser’s Natural Pets and Just Food for Dogs. We also thank all our other sponsors (see website for full list), the Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club and JOL Designs.
Want to be involved in the next event? Visit the website hbfop.org.
Maureen Ferguson Lewis
Hermosa Parks & Rec Commissioner
Interest in parking
Dear ER:
Redondo Beach is a great example of the needs for cities to have updated general plans. The “Pier Parking Rehabilitation Fund” gained $831in interest last year. And that’s up since 2008 when the fund had $740 in interest (the furthest year back I could find). Redondo’s solution? Public/Private partnership with a massive corporation.
CenterCal proposes to rebuild Redondo the pier parking structure. But they will own the heart and soul of our publicly owned harbor, in trade. They will determine everything, including who gets to rent a storefront. No taxes will be raised, unless the development fails and residents are stuck holding the bill of goods. Rescue Our Waterfront is writing an initiative and massive corporations are developing plans for the AES site. These are all the outcome of a failed general plan and failed zoning ordinances, which should have been updated years ago.
Update the general plan, plan for the future. Rescue Our Waterfront.
Nils Nehrenheim
Redondo Beach
