Walkability Zoning: Change coming to Aviation-Artesia Blvd. strip
by Garth Meyer The Aviation and Artesia boulevards corridor got a boost from the city council Tuesday night in a 5-0 vote to amend zoning codes, in the hopes to spur a more walkable strip. The “cut-through area” from near Pacific Coast Highway to the former South Bay Galleria has 15 percent vacancy now, with 15,000 people living within a quarter-mile, said Greg Kapovich, Redondo Beach waterfront and economic development director, in his presentation to the council. “We want to transition to nighttime and weekend (activity). A seven-day-a-week success story,” he said. The changes streamline the process to open restaurants of more than 2,000 square feet, ending a requirement for a conditional use permit. Kapovich told the city council the previous rule was “a big uncertainty” for entrepreneurs. “Now it’s a lot quicker of a process and a lot cheaper of a process,” he said. Other changes include the allowance of office space on first floors, outdoor retail displays and “A-frame” signs. The development space on a lot went from 50 percent to 60 percent. This means, for example, if a property is 1,000 square feet, 600 of it may be developed, and the rest left open – for parking or…
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