1 STAFF REPORT
DATE: April 23, 2024
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Patrick Prescott, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Discussion on Incentivizing the Transition of Legal Non -Conforming Firearms Retailer Businesses
RECOMMENDATION
1. Note and file.
2. Direct staff to proceed with exploring incentivizing the transition of interested firearm retailer businesses and determining the level of financial resources required.
BACKGROUND
During the City’s outreach for firearms retail ordinances, certain firearm retailers expressed openness to the possibility of exiting the firearms retail business. These retailers may be willing to consider transitioning their business or shutting down with the appropriate incentive.
At present, staff does not have a cost estimate for this proposal and seeks Council direction on whether to explore this option further. There is no estimated dollar amount per business or a maximum budget for the program at this stage. Staff would conduct research to determine the actual costs involved before establishing any financial parameters.
DISCUSSION
Culver City recently purchased one of its two firearms retailers when it was considering a sale at very significant cost. However, staff believes the costs to incentivize one or two of Burbank’s much higher number of existing firearm retailers to give up their legal nonconforming status may be considerably lower. In addition, staff’s focus would be on any businesses that may already be interested in transitioning or shutting down. In such cases, t he City could potentially offer financial incentives to facilitate this process.
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
2 However, it is essential to note that if a firearm retail business is already marginal, the City may also choose to wait for its natural closure rather than allocating funds t owards the same result. This approach would ensure responsible use of City resources while still achieving our land use zoning objectives.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This activity has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment and, as such, is not a “project” subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 14 Cal. Code Regs § 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to provide staff direction to proceed with exploring incentivizing the transition of interested firearm retailer businesses and determining the level of financial resources this would require. Further research would be conducted to determine the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of such a program prior to establishing any financial commitments.
CONCLUSION
The proposal to initiate a program for incentivizing the transition of a limited number of firearm retailer businesses presents an opportunity to address the evolving regulatory landscape, while potentially supporting local businesses.
ATTACHMENTS
None.