CITY OF HAWAIIAN GARDENS
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item #A2
DATE: July 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 September 9, 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 12347 E. Carson Street
July 22, 2026
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.
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, this item was continued by the City Council to April 22, 2026.
Following continuance, 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, the public hearing was further continued until June 10, 2026.
Thereafter, a Zoom meeting was held on May 7, 2026 to explain the Low Impact Development (LID) requirements for the proposed project. Pending resolution of remaining issues, including submission of a revised Site Plan and review by the Los Angeles County fire Department, the hearing was continued until July 22, 2026.
In follow up to the May 7 meeting, on June 16, 2026, the City received a memorandum from Fuscoe Engineering representing the Applicant where they contend that the proposed work constitutes “maintenance” and not “redevelopment” as defined in the City’s code. The Applicant is proposing to repair 20 potholes distributed throughout the paved areas, totaling 650 square feet and minor site improvements. This issue is not yet resolved. However, based on the position stated in the memo and existing drainage conditions, the City has requested that the revised site plan incorporate additional drainage information to inform the City’s review.
Given that there are still several outstanding issues that must be addressed prior to the City Council’s consideration, staff recommends that the Public Hearing be continued to the meeting of September 9, 2026.
12347 E. Carson Street
July 22, 2026
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve Recommendation.