Letters to the Editor 8-3-23
AI generated
Dear ER:
Should we replace Hermosa Beach Councilmember Justin Massey with AI (“$50 million budget balanced, AI lurks over unfunded jobs,” ER July 27, 2023)?
Anna Tattu
Hermosa Beach
Studied decision
Dear ER:
As a 20-year Redondo Beach resident, homeowner, husband and parent of two children, youth sports coach, former Planning Commissioner, and current City Council Member for District 5, my number one priority is maintaining the character, and quality of life of our beautiful beach community (“Redondo Beach moves to turn home design guidelines into rules,” ER July 27, 2023). That’s why when the City Council was tasked with deciding on potential revisions to our residential design standards, I voted to protect Redondo Beach homeowners, disincentivize developers from turning our single family homes into over-densified 4-on-a-lots with reduced parking, and avoid lawsuits, and wasted taxpayer money that likely would have occurred had some of the Planning Commissions suggestions been adopted. As a former member of the Planning Commission’s residential design standards subcommittee, I closely studied all of these issues, participated in many meetings and workshops, spoke extensively with members of the public, and carefully considered all proposed changes. As a City Council member, I voted in favor of the wishes of our residents, and consistent with the comprehensive public survey on this topic, and not for developers or the “mansionization” of our City. I look forward to continuing my efforts to protect our residents, homes, and neighborhoods on issues important to our City.
Scott Behrendt
District 5 City Council Member
Redondo Beach
Market dictates
Dear ER:
The proposed Residential Design Guidelines were the work product of a myopic NIMBY Planning Commission, handpicked by Redondo’s NIMBY Mayor Bill Brand to serve the Mayor’s agenda (“Redondo Beach moves to turn home design guidelines into rules,” ER July 27, 2023). It is South Redondo’s NIMBY leaders and constituents who sought to create punitive building codes to trample the personal property rights of everyone else in the city. Many of the supporters of the new punitive guidelines have benefited from the current building codes. They were able to develop track homes into mansions, but now they want to make sure their neighbors will not have the same rights. That smacks of, “I got mine.” It is the definition of NIMBY. The Planning Commission’s suggestions were obviously aimed at North Redondo. Their guidelines were out of step with modern design techniques. Developers are responding to the elevated desires of the market. Developers are not building stucco boxes anymore. The market wants the best use of space packaged in a timeless aesthetic. The market wants room for families, curb appeal and lasting value. I applaud the North Redondo Councilmembers for defending personal property rights.
Paul Moses
Redondo Beach
Henhouse syndrome
Dear ER:
The Redondo Beach City Council recently discussed the proposed design housing guidelines (“Redondo Beach moves to turn home design guidelines into rules,” ER July 27, 2023). The Redondo Planning Commission drafted these over two years, with the intention, as directed by Council, to preserve our beach character. After a long presentation, and developer’s providing their input, the proposed guidelines were eviscerated. Staff and newly elected officials worked behind the scenes with the developers to craft new guidelines. Two Planning Commissioners were clearly appalled by the disregard of their efforts. This process is similar to asking a toddler. What do you want for breakfast? Or asking a criminal what their punishment should be. I am extremely disappointed to learn that newly proposed design guidelines that are intended to preserve the charm of our city have been dissolved. These elected officials owe our community more than this.
Candace Allen Nafissi
Redondo Beach
One misstep at a time
Dear ER:
The 20 year old residential design guidelines (RDGs) protected existing neighborhoods and their character. This misguided, developer centric update removed many existing protections (“Redondo Beach moves to turn home design guidelines into rules,” ER July 27, 2023). For the uninformed, the Planning Commission didn’t NIMBY anything. It merely attempted to continue with the strong protections that the property owners already have. Surveys showed that residents wanted neighborhood character preserved, not trampled. Shame on the Council. The Planning Department and the Council got this one very, very wrong. Congratulations to the Orange County developers for their $1000-plus investment in mailers in support of District Councilmember Paige Kaluderovic. The money well spent as developers take over Redondo Beach — one misguided vote at a time.
Mark Nelson
Redondo
St. Cross’s cross
Dear ER:
As a resident of Hermosa Beach, I feel compelled to express my concerns regarding the Housing Element and potential zoning changes that may affect our neighborhood. While I understand the importance of addressing the housing crisis, I strongly oppose large-scale developments in densely packed residential areas in Hermosa Beach. The proposed plan for the St. Cross site, with the potential construction of up to 66 apartments, condos, or homes under state density bonus laws, is worrisome. It would alter the character of our quaint neighborhood, and increase traffic, and worsen our current “challenged” parking situation. The recent meeting raised questions about St. Cross’s intention. They claimed no plans for development but have already met with a developer, and a consultant, which creates unease about the potential impact on our community. I am disappointed by the city’s failure to include residents in the Housing Element process, leaving us feeling unheard and not included in important decisions. The recommendation for a 45-foot height limit in the Cypress District also seems out of touch with the community’s concerns. The community is asking the city council reconsider the rezoning plans for St. Cross, and take our collective voice into account. Open dialogue and collaboration will help find a more suitable approach to address the housing crisis without compromising the charm of our community.
Cara Knight
Hermosa Beach
Save Loma Drive
Dear ER
Shame on Rev. Rachel and St. Cross Church (“Housing mandate, resident opposition put staff in vice,” ER July 20, 2023). Several years back, the church requested to be part of the city’s “housing element” to change the zoning and height limits on church-owned properties. This could eventually lead to multi-story units (55-66 units) cramped into our overly dense neighborhood. I, for one, will no longer donate to St. Cross. The neighbors have had to deal with their noise, traffic congestion, parking problems, etc. St. Cross does not get to decide what happens on Loma Drive. Other property owners should have a say in any redevelopment.
BD Bishop
Hermosa Beach
Dogged pursuit
Dear ER:
I have seen Manhattan Beach Police Officer Brian Cobain train Troy in Live Oak Park (“MBPD adds a new K-9 unit,” ER July 27, 2023). The dedication that they both have to their work is an inspiration.
Kevin Ventrudo
ERNews comment
If you qualify
you don’t need it
Dear ER:
Another difficulty for Section 8 clients is that many landlords now require applicants to earn three times the rental amount per month (“Money’s good, but landlords resistant,” ER July 27, 2023). Many applicants do not earn $6,000 or more per month — let alone seniors and others on the program. Applicants who have excellent tenant records, good credit, and are in every way acceptable applicants are excluded by this excessive requirement. When the allowable rental amount for clients is raised, suddenly rents go higher, once again putting them out of reach. This appears to be a possibly intentional form of exclusion and discrimination, as it happens with regularity. It’s very difficult to obtain a new apartment because of refusals to accept vouchers and the monthly income demand. Good people who simply want to change apartments can languish in a living situation for many months or even years due to these issues, despite qualifying for the program and having a voucher. Redondo Beach can be very hard on senior and Section 8 applicants — who pay their rent portion on time, and are good tenants. These folks simply need to be given a break. The unnecessary hurdles being put in their way, as well as blatant housing discrimination, can be heartbreaking. Landlords, please give these people a chance.
Nainsi Skiba
ERNews comment
More to the story
Dear ER:
This is a classic example of an unfortunate scenario (“Money’s good, but landlords resistant,” ER July 27, 2023). I applaud the folks like Redondo Beach Housing Supervisor Angelica Zavala Angelica, who are out there trying to make a difference for the increasing numbers of unhoused in our communities (“Money’s good, but landlords resistant,” ER July 27, 2023). The vouchers represent a compassionate and well-intended attempt to get these folks housing. But what happens when the 120- day to 180 day vouchers run out? It is hard to fault a landlord for selecting the applicant who is best positioned economically to meet their financial obligations long-term. Landlords have been doing this for ages — whether there is a voucher recipient among the pile of applicants or not. On the one hand, it is refreshing to read of landlords who are having a positive experience with voucher recipients. But the subtext of the article — that the landlords are the bad guys — is typical leftist rhetoric that oversimplifies a very sad and complicated social crisis.
Joe Hellerman
ERNews comment
Wrong way bike path
Dear ER:
The Beach Cities Health District is money in search of a cause, and their support causes distrust (“Work begins on BCHD bike path,” ER July 27, 2023). The Healthy Living Campus is the reason Torrance backed out. They do not want to help a project that ultimately diminishes quality of life for Torrance residents. I work on the BCHD campus, and ironically, I quit riding my bike to work because the Beryl/Prospect intersection is not safely bikeable. But I do not see that this project has a back door entrance to the BCHD campus, which would have garnered my support. It is so funny to see BCHD support a path behind the campus instead of to the campus.
William Wickwire
ERNews comment
It’s only a bike path
Dear ER:
It’s a bike path (“Work begins on BCHD bike path,” ER July 27, 2023). One that has been in use for some time, but needs upgrading. I am completely lost as to why the Beach Cities Health District Healthy Living Campus is so disliked by Torrance residents. How would it diminish their quality of life. Does everyone in that area only eat chicken McNuggets? And do they feel guilty from the prospect of a “Healthy Living Campus” nearby. I find all of this baffling.
John Pawlicki
ERNews comment
Build the wall
Dear ER:
First Torrance backs out of the bike path (“Work begins on BCHD bike path,” ER July 27, 2023). Now they want to back out from the Metro K-Line extension, for which they’ve already built a new transit center. Sounds like Torrance should just build a wall to keep everyone out.
Jess Budlong
ERNews comment
Hostile influence
Dear ER:
This 450 foot extension of Diamond Street has always been “a bike path” for the 33 years I’ve lived in West Torrance (“Work begins on BCHD bike path,” ER July 27, 2023). Unfortunately, over the years, neither city has put much emphasis on its maintenance. Weeds, dirt, loose gravel, trash and the occasional broken bottle have been typical. Now, the Redondo portion will be prettied up and hopefully maintained. So, going forward, the City of Redondo Beach will be doing what they should have been doing all along. Perhaps, and hopefully, the City of Torrance will likewise step up and improve the maintenance on their existing portion. I find it a real shame that some West Torrance homeowners have allowed their hostility towards BCHD to convince the City of Torrance to not participate in this excellent and much needed project that was already funded.
Lou Thompson
ERNews comment
Uptown, not South Bay
Dear ER:
If it’s taken to completion, this building will be one of the most ridiculous and out of place monstrosities in the South Bay. Please, stick with the South Bay cultural and historical architecture (“Ocean education building design revealed,” ER July 27, 2023). Not this. It fits for uptown, around Beverly Hills or Century City. Not anywhere near our harbor or beaches.
Dennis Duke Noor
Manhattan Beach
McMurty the Magnificent
Dear ER:
I have just discovered James, and I just feel like he is something I have never heard before (“James McMurty at Saint Rocke, ER July 27, 2023). Just greatness.
Danny Mitchell
ERNews comment
Parking lot blues
Dear ER:
I will always remember when James asked me ” is this the only place to play blues in here, as we stood out back of the bar in the parking lot (“James McMurty at Saint Rocke, ER July 27, 2023)
His storytelling is so good that I commiserate with his characters.
David Lunbeck
ERNews comment
Colonel Hero
Dear ER:
COL Hensley has demonstrated the enormous size of his heart by dedicating himself to youth (“Son surprises mom on Dodger Jumbotron,” ER July 27, 2023). Taking his mom to the Dodger’s game is just one small example of that. He is a hero in so many ways, it is wonderful to see him recognized
Donna Rice
ERNews comment