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Apartment row
Dear ER:
The residents of Manhattan Beach should know about the five proposed apartment buildings totaling over 1,000 units, with one proposed apartment project at the Fry’s site on Sepulveda Boulevard having a 10-story building and a 7-story building. Yet, Manhattan Beach residents don’t know anything about these projects, and won’t know anything until after they are approved by the City’s Community Development Director. Talk about a total and utter lack of transparency!
The Manhattan Beach Council should provide a transparent process by which residents of Manhattan Beach can learn about these five proposed apartment buildings. And the Council should provide any opportunity for residents to provide input.
Having a 10-story building and a 7-story building at the Fry’s site is important to all the residents of our community, especially when you consider this is one of the busiest intersections in the South Bay, and, more importantly, the former site of Allied Chemicals. A previous EIR process identified several possible health and safety concerns at this site.
Residents should not be given “mushroom” status, being kept in the dark on important housing and zoning issues.
Mark Burton
Manhattan Beach
Rickety ramp
Dear ER:
I’m writing as a longtime Redondo resident seeking help in understanding what’s happening to the pedestrian beach access ramp at Avenue A and the Esplanade in Redondo Beach. The temporary wood fence is rotting, the concrete is deteriorating and the old lead paint is peeling and baking in the sun. Talk about a biohazard. All this exists while eco-friendly volunteers work tirelessly to encourage native plant growth in the area.
Fred Koch
Redondo Beach
BCHD silver lining
Dear ER:
While Measure BC failed on the November ballot, numerous residents supported the Beach Cities Health District by posting positive comments online, and taking time to speak at the Redondo Beach City Council meetings against a targeted FAR (Floor Area Ratio) for BCHD. Even after Measure BC failed, it is odd to me the same names keep pounding on BCHD. Where is this outrage when a new smoke shop opens up within walking distance to elementary and middle schools?
I don’t believe the South Bay wants BCHD to go away while we see unregulated smoke shops open up with abandon. With Measure FP (Fire Department) and Measure S (Schools) also on the November ballot, it is reasonable BC failed. Even as a supporter, I knew it was a long shot. I will remind those dancing on Measure BC’s grave, BCHD CEO Tom Bakaly was named “Man of the Year” by the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce in 2022. Can any of the “Stop BCHD” people say the same?
Marie Puterbaugh
Redondo Beach
Green washing
Dear ER:
The non-profit Keep The Esplanade Beautiful was named by the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce the Non-Profit Profit of the year. Three of its board members are running for office in the Redondo Beach March 2025 election. Perhaps one of these candidates can enlighten the public with answers to these three questions: 1. How much money has Keep The Esplanade Beautiful raised each year, for the last 8 years? 2. How was the money spent? 3. Besides picking up trash, what else does Keep The Esplanade Beautiful do?
Wayne Craig
Redondo Beach
A city of ‘New,” or “No”
Dear ER:
Right now, Hermosa Beach has an opportunity to shape Hermosa Beach’s downtown for the next 30 years–a time when many of us will no longer be here, but when the decisions we make today will profoundly affect future generations. This is not the time for arbitrary restrictions or an overly cautious approach that could stifle the vibrant character and economic potential of our beloved city.
As I read through the December 16 City Staff Events Report to the Planning Commission, and its suggested policies—such as prohibiting amplified music or speech at events and restricting minor special events on major holidays like St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, and the Fourth of July—I cannot help but question the tone of these proposals.
The report proposes the following restriction for temporary entertainment permits: “No music or speaking shall be amplified at any time and event noise cannot be audible at the property line.”
They appear to reflect a mindset of limitation rather than innovation, one that runs contrary to the guiding principles of the city’s general plan, Plan Hermosa.
Plan Hermosa reminds us to “be a catalyst for innovation,” to embrace a balance of economy, environment, and community through a sustainability lens, and to cultivate a business culture of creativity and environmental stewardship. It challenges us to take forward-thinking approaches that anticipate future lifestyles and trends. Yet these proposed restrictions seem to move in the opposite direction, limiting the very vibrancy and creative spirit that make Hermosa Beach unique.
Restrictions like these are not just minor policy decisions. They are defining choices about what kind of city we want to become. Will Hermosa Beach be a place that attracts entrepreneurs, artists, and forward-thinking residents, or will it become a city of “no”—a place where innovation and cultural vitality are constrained by excessive rules?
I urge Hermosa’s leaders to lean into the vision of Plan Hermosa and resist unnecessary limits. Let us honor the principles of sustainability and innovation by fostering policies that support local businesses, celebrate our unique culture, and invite economic and creative growth.
Let us ensure that those who inherit Hermosa Beach look back and see a legacy of bold, thoughtful leadership rather than hesitation or fear. Let us be the city that says “yes” to opportunity, creativity, and the future we all want to see.
By inviting open dialogue, we can better evaluate whether these policies align with the community’s best interests, now and the future.
Ed Hart
Hermosa Beach
An educated vote
Dear ER:
I would like to join with the Redondo Beach teachers in expressing gratitude to our community for approving Measure S, the $278 million Redondo Beach school bond on the November 5 ballot (“Redondo Beach election results,” ER November 7, 2024). There is nothing more important to society than educating our young. There is no reason for our kids to languish on substandard campuses. School funding in California needs fixing. It needs to be the top priority in the state budget.
Barbara Epstein
Redondo Beach
A reason to write
Dear ER:
I am a Scout in Troop 783. I am writing this letter in regards to one of the requirements for my communications merit badge. I recently read the article called “Ambassadors of the Deep” by Mark Mcdermott in the January 2025 publication of Easy Reader/Peninsula Magazine. I enjoyed reading this article because I learned many things about dolphins and other sea creatures that I never knew before. The images were nice because they helped me visualize the dolphins. The article had a good structure and was pleasing to read. I liked that the article had many different sources. This is why I enjoyed reading the article, “Ambassadors of the Deep.”
Abhirath Krishnawat
Palos Verdes
More than fog
Dear ER:
A great, informative article (“Why So Foggy,” ER News January 2, 2024). However, readers should be aware of the fact that on several of these recent foggy days, especially during the morning hours, here was a significant amount of poor air quality trapped within all of that fog. It reached into the “100s” (in the orange zone) on IQAir.
Jim DeWitt
Redondo Beach
That’s a wrap
Dear ER:
On behalf of Beach Cities Toy Drive Committee, I want to thank everyone who helped at our December 21st wrapping party. Our yearly wrapping party, which alternates annually between Hermosa and Manhattan, was in Hermosa Beach at the Community Center this year with an amazing turnout. We wrapped a significant number of gifts for qualified charities for underprivileged children in LA County. The partnerships we’ve maintained with the Manhattan Beach Fire Department and Hermosa Beach/County Fire Department have allowed us to collect the new toys. Jeremy Buck put on his benefit concert on the Hermosa Plaza, called, “Rock for Tots,” and gave us all proceeds from this event. Hermosa Cyclery donated 30 or so new bicycles. This amazing bike shop down by Pier Plaza is extraordinarily generous and always seems to go over the top for our event every year. Greg Tucker generously sent us toys on pallets that he rounded up from his packaging company with a generous addition of a $1,500 donation. A wonderful and well deserved lunch was also bestowed upon the hard working wrappers from local restaurants; big shout out to: Baja Sharkeez, Palmilla, Tower 12, Hennesey’s Tavern, Patrick Molloy’s, The Hanger Inn, Paisanos, American Junkie, Frito Misto, Café Bonaparte, Good Stuff, Gum Tree. That being said – no matter what your donation was, we are so appreciative. Thank you, and God bless. The victory of our success is only measured by your charitable donations. Next year our wrapping party rotates back to Manhattan Beach at the Jocelyn Center for another great day of giving. See you there!
Sam Y. Edgerton
Hermosa Beach
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