CITY OF HAWAIIAN GARDENS
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item #A1
DATE: April 22, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Ernesto Marquez, City Manager
BY: Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation to continue the Public Hearing for the Minor Use Permit (MUP) for a proposed boat sales business located at 12347 E. Carson Street, to the meeting of June 10, 2026.
SUMMARY
On February 20, 2024, Surf City Boats, Inc. (“Applicant”) filed an application for Minor Use Permit (“MUP”) No. PLNG2024-0011 to authorize a boat sales business to be located at 12347 E. Carson Street (“the Property”). On December 12, 2024, the Community Development Director (“Director”) issued a decision to deny MUP No. PLNG2024-0011. The property owner of the subject Property (“Property Owner”) timely filed an appeal of the Director’s decision to the City of Hawaiian Gardens Planning Commission.
On January 29, 2025, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider the appeal filed by Surf City Boats, Inc. The Planning Commission determined that the proposed use of the property is a Boat Sales business and directed staff to prepare appropriate resolutions and conditions of approval to authorize the boat sales use on the Property 3 (AYES) to 2 (NOES).
On March 5, 2025, the Planning Commission determined that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Action (CEQA) and approved Resolution No. 2025-001 (3 AYES; 2 ABSENT), subject to meeting certain Conditions of Approval.
On March 10, 2025, a Councilmember requested that the Planning Commission’s decision approving MUP No. PLNG2024-0011 be reviewed by the entire City Council pursuant to the authority granted in Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code (“HGMC”) Section 18.100.170(D). This section of the HGMC authorizes any member of the City Council to call up for review any decision made by the Director or Planning Commission. The City Council’s decision on the matter will be final.
12347 E. Carson Street
April 22, 2026
On October 22, 2025 the City Council held a public hearing to review the decision of the Planning Commission and affirm (with the same or different conditions of approval) or overturn the Planning Commission’s decision and adopt appropriate findings to deny the MUP. The City Council voted to continue the public hearing until December 10, 2025 to allow for additional time to review the information provided.
On December 10, 2025, the public hearing was reopened and both Staff and the Applicant made presentations. The City Council directed the City Attorney and applicant’s attorney to meet to discuss the uses as well as conditions of approval. The hearing was continued to February 11, 2026 to allow the parties additional time to review the project and revise the conditions of approval, per Council direction. The hearing was further continued to March 11, 2026. The City Attorney and applicant’s attorney have been in discussions regarding the uses and conditions. On March 3, 2026, the applicant submitted a revised site plan to the City. To allow staff sufficient time to review the site plan and for the parties to finalize discussions regarding uses and conditions, staff recommended that this item be continued to April 22, 2026.
Since the meeting continuance to April 22, 2026, Staff reviewed and provided comments on the revised site plan for the applicant. The City Attorney’s office also met with the Applicant’s attorney on the outstanding Conditions of Approval. Based upon the progress made, Staff is recommending that the Public Hearing be continued until June 10, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve Recommendation.