City defense fund

Dear ER:  

At its March 18 meeting, the Hermosa Beach Planning Commission bravely stood up to a developer, declined to follow staff recommendations, and continued the public hearing for 60 days, until May 20, with respect to the proposed 53-foot tall, “Builder’s Remedy,” 5-unit apartment building in Hermosa Beach (“Where goes the neighborhood,” ER March 20, 2025). The Commissioners requested staff provide additional information including whether the fire department has apparatus to battle a 50-foot high fire, a shade study, a traffic study, a rendering showing how this proposed project compared to neighboring properties, and further investigation into CEQA. Commissioner Steve Izant also requested staff consult with an experienced land use attorney as to the status of the Builder’s Remedy law across the State. 

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The applicant’s attorney said several times this is a “one and done,” and would not set a  precedent. That is wrong. Absent a change in law, this loophole could become available again in 2029, when the Hermosa Housing Element must be recertified. I don’t know for certain, but it could open up as early as 2027 if, as stated in the Housing Element, the State finds “[as of the end of 2025] the City is not making meaningful progress in its affordable housing goals.” If this project is allowed to proceed, it may make it more difficult for the City to find a future Builder’s Remedy application as being inconsistent with the neighborhood – that train will have left the station.

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The applicant’s attorney said: “This project could have been 100 feet tall.” The next one might be. 

Hermosa Beach spends hundreds of thousands of dollars a year on consultants who either are not needed, or are doing work staff should be doing. Council approves spending millions on vanity projects, such as our $2.4 million solar powered restrooms, and a $2 million “demonstration project” to repave a 22 space surface parking lot. Yet the City apparently has not consulted expert, outside counsel on this extraordinary application, which could forever change our community.

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The City has fewer than 60 days to figure this out. According to the 2024-2025 Midyear Budget Review presented at the March 25 City Council Meeting, the City has $553,832 in unspent funds. Please reach out to City Council Members and “encourage” them to dedicate some of these funds to hire the best land use attorney out there, and find every legal means to deny this horrific application.

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To the Hermosa Beach City Council — please support your Planning Commission by providing the expert legal advice they need to consider and deny this application. We need to deny this application and put a stake in the sand for when, not if, this Builder’s Remedy loophole opens back up. 

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To my fellow residents – continue to Show up, Stand up and Speak up!

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Nancy Schwappach

Hermosa Beach

 

Stand firm

Dear ER:

Thank you to the Hermosa Beach Planning Commission for listening to the overwhelming opposition to the proposed 5-story apartment complex at 3415 Palm Drive – a structure that would tower 20 feet above every other building in town. This project threatens the very character of Hermosa Beach, and residents showed up in force on March 18 to voice their concerns.

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Unlike other officials who have dismissed and belittled community voices, the planning commissioners treated residents with respect. They asked sharp, insightful questions of staff, demanded additional information, and, most importantly, refused to rubber stamp this ill-conceived project. They wisely postponed a decision, choosing to carefully review all materials before making a decision that impacts everyone. That is responsible governance.

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Their willingness to stand firm instead of blindly following the city staff’s recommendations sends a clear message: The community’s voice matters, and the character of our beach town is worth saving. 

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We urge the Planning Commission to continue to stand firm. The future of Hermosa Beach should not be dictated by unchecked development. Thank you for showing leadership when it matters most.

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Elka Worner

Hermosa Beach