By 
by Garth Meyer
Easier permitting standards to open a new business may be coming to Redondo Beach – and harder standards for smoke shops.
The city council discussed the matter Tuesday night, Jan. 21, part of its Strategic Plan goal to attract new businesses and cut down on regulatory barriers.
Part of this also is whether to strengthen requirements for certain businesses. Smoke shops drew particular scrutiny, with councilmembers zeroing in on the current count of 15 in the city, six added since 2019.
Questions asked of Cheryl Park, a deputy Redondo Beach city attorney, included whether code amendments could be put in to limit the shops, to require a conditional use permit for this kind of business, and whether the city could legally put a numerical cap on total smoke shops allowed.
Mayor Jim Light asked for Police Chief Joe Hoffman’s off-the-cuff input.
“(Smoke shops) are a constant source of inquiries, for sure, ” he told the council, noting police calls about illegal products sold at the stores, etc., and subsequent investigations. “It is a drain on resources… There are a lot of these, stores, in the city. I don’t know how many we need in the city, ” Hoffman said.
Councilman Nils Nehrenheim called for an outright limit.
“We need to have a cap, I see them popping up all over the place, ” he said. “It’s something we need to deal with ASAP.”
He asked about passing a moratorium first. City Manager Mike Witzansky suggested that a moratorium could just delay the matter, up to a year, when the time could be better spent moving ahead to an ordinance, “Even if it’s not perfect.” “Okay, basically, keep it simple, ” Nehrenheim said. “A max per district, and distances between.”
He referred to using the established buffer zone map for proposed cannabis stores.
“I’m up for having just one, smoke shop, per district, ” he said.
“Fully agree, on smoke shops, we have too many, ” said Councilman Zein Obagi, Jr.
Councilmember Paige Kaluderovic also said the city should look to restrict the stores, proposing limits on signage and paraphernalia. She asked if a smoke shop’s business license may be revoked if it is found to have sold an illegal product.
Councilman Todd Loewenstein said these businesses are “enormously profitable” and noted his main concern is cannabis sales from the shops. He suspects they have a “secret stash” to sell.
“This is not adding to the value of our community,” he said.
The council voted 5-0 Tuesday to direct city staff to draft land use regulations and permitting standards for smoke shops.
At present, some types of businesses are eligible in Redondo Beach to get permits administratively from the city, and others, such as personal improvement services – a photo or dance studio, clubs and lodges, daycare, and massage – require a conditional use permit, which are granted by the planning commission.
Conditional use permits are generally for businesses that may impact their neighborhood – liquor stores, gas/service stations, bars, entertainment venues, Smoke shops are not presently in this category. ER
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