6 Commissioner Dunbabin had questions of staff about the Trees at Valley Park.
14.b.1 Activity Report September 2025
14.b.2 Activity Report October 2025
14.c CIP Status Report
City Engineer Saad Malim presented an update on the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Status Report.
Chairperson Hayes, Vice Chairperson Grethen, and Commissioner Dunbabin asked clarifying questions of staff and provided comments regarding various CIP projects.
Vice Chairperson Grethen commented on the sewer project and stormwater drywells. Staff explained that the City is pursuing a joint application for Measure W funding with Redondo Beach and other cities to consolidate downstream drywells and achieve larger stormwater capture, as mandated for compliance within Hermosa Beach. The project is not fully funded, and Measure W funding is not guaranteed. Staff noted the project may become imminent due to regulatory mandates, that potential extensions are being explored, and that consultants may be engaged to enhance project concepts and seek additional funding. Staff also noted potential fines related to water quality compliance.
14.c.1 CIP Status November 2025
15. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:28pm
1 CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
January 20, 2026
5:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
1315 Valley Drive
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Members Present: Chairperson Stephen Izant, Vice Chairperson Michael Flaherty, Commissioner Peter Hoffman, Commissioner Greg McNally,
Commissioner Kate Hirsh
Staff Present: Planning Manager Alexis Oropeza, Assistant Planner Jake Whitney, Senior Office Assistant Holly Honma, Assistant Planner Johnny Case, Community Development Director Alison Becker, Assistant Planner DeDe Tran, Interim City Attorney Sarah Locklin
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Stephen Izant called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairperson Izant.
3. ROLL CALL
Senior Office Assistant Holly Honma announced a quorum.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Moved by: Vice Chairperson Flaherty
Seconded by: Commissioner Hirsh
To approve the order of the agenda.
Ayes (5): Chairperson Izant, Vice Chairperson Flaherty, Commissioner Hoffman, Commissioner McNally, and Commissioner Hirsh
Motion Carried
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
In Person Public Comments:
2 • None
Virtual Public Comments:
• None
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
Moved by: Commissioner Hoffman
Seconded by: Commissioner Hirsh
To approve the Consent Calendar.
Ayes (5): Chairperson Izant, Vice Chairperson Flaherty, Commissioner Hoffman, Commissioner McNally, and Commissioner Hirsh
Motion Carried
6.a ACTION MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL
MEETING OF DECEMBER 16, 2025. - 26-CDD-014
(Administrative Assistant Nancy Blinzler)
Moved by: Commissioner Hoffman
Seconded by: Commissioner Hirsh
To receive and file the action minutes of the Planning Commission special meeting of December 16, 2025.
Motion Carried
7. PUBLIC HEARING
7.a LOCATION: 703 PIER AVENUE - 26-CDD-010
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP25-16)
TO ALLOW THE OPERATION OF A PILATES STUDIO (CLUB PILATES) WITHIN AN EXISTING 2,425-SQUARE-FOOT COMMERCIAL SPACE
LOCATED AT 703 PIER AVENUE, SUITE H14, IN THE SPECIFIC PLAN AREA 8 (SPA-8) ZONE.
CEQA: Determine the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
(Assistant Planner Johnny Case)
Assistant Planner Johnny Case provided a presentation.
Commissioner Hoffman asked various questions.
Johnny Case provided information.
Planning Manager Alexis Oropeza provided information.
3 Director Alison Becker provided information.
Vice Chairperson Flaherty asked various questions.
Commissioner McNally asked various questions.
Commissioner Hirsch asked various questions.
Chairperson Izant provided various questions.
In Person Public Comments:
• None
Virtual Public Comments:
• None
Moved by: Commissioner Hoffman
Seconded by: Commissioner Hirsh
To determine the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act; and adopt a Resolution approving a Conditional Use Permit to allow the operation of a Pilates Studio (Club Pilates) within an existing 2,425-square-foot commercial space located at 703 Pier Avenue, Suite H14, with an amendment to eliminate Condition of Approval pertaining to hours of operation (Section 2, subsection 9 of draft Resolution).
Ayes (5): Chairperson Izant, Vice Chairperson Flaherty, Commissioner Hoffman, Commissioner McNally, and Commissioner Hirsh
Motion Carried
7.b LOCATION: 520 25th STREET - 26-CDD-005
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP25-12), PRECISE DEVELOPMENT
PLAN (PDP25-09), AND VESTING TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. 84845 FOR NEW TWO-UNIT RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUMS AT 520 25TH
STREET IN THE TWO DWELLING UNITS PER LOT ZONE (R-1A).
CEQA: Determine the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
(Assistant Planner DeDe Tran)
Assistant Planner Dede Tran provided a presentation.
Stacey Strauss from Srour & Associates on behalf of the applicant Dennis Cleland, D.C Construction, provided information.
Commissioner McNally asked various questions
4 Commissioner Hirsch provided comments.
Commissioner Hoffman provided comments.
Vice Chairperson Flaherty provided comments.
In Person Public Comments:
• None
Virtual Public Comments:
• None
Moved by: Commissioner Hoffman
Seconded by: Vice Chairperson Flaherty
To determine the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to a Class 3 categorical exemption, as defined in section 15303 of the CEQA Guidelines for new construction and conversion of small structures; and adopt a Resolution approving Conditional Use Permit (CUP25-12), Precise Development Plan (PDP25-09), and Vesting Tentative Parcel Map No. 84845 permitting twounit residential condominium buildings in the Two Dwelling Units Per Lot Zone (R-1A) subject to conditions.
Ayes (5): Chairperson Izant, Vice Chairperson Flaherty, Commissioner Hoffman, Commissioner McNally, and Commissioner Hirsh
Motion Carried
7.c LOCATION- CITYWIDE - 26-CDD-007
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: A ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT (TA26-01), AMENDING CHAPTER 17.21 OF THE HERMOSA BEACH MUNICIPAL
CODE RELATING TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS.
CEQA: Find the action to be Statutorily Exempt from CEQA under Public Resources Code § 21080.17.
Associate Planner Jake Whitney provided a presentation.
Vice Chairperson Flaherty asked various questions.
Planning Manager Alexis Oropeza provided information.
Commissioner Hirsch requested that future code initiatives be redlined.
Chairperson Izant mentioned that Section e. is missing a number.
Commissioner Hoffman provided comments.
In Person Public Comments:
5 • None
Virtual Public Comments:
• Anthony Higgins
Moved by: Commissioner Hoffman
Seconded by: Vice Chairperson Flaherty
To determine that the adoption of the proposed ordinance is statutorily exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Public Resources Code Section 21080.17; and adopt a Resolution recommending that the City Council adopt the proposed ordinance.
Ayes (5): Chairperson Izant, Vice Chairperson Flaherty, Commissioner Hoffman, Commissioner McNally, and Commissioner Hirsh
Motion Carried
8. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR REPORT
Director Becker announced that the position of Administrative Assistant has been posted online, and that the Boards & Commissions Handbook will be circulated to the commission, and will then go to City Council for possible adoption.
Director Becker mentioned that she received an email regarding the code section concerning convex slope determinations and is seeking history on the topic.
Commissioner Hoffman provided comments.
Vice Chairperson Flaherty provided comments.
Chairperson Izant asked various questions
City Attorney Sarah Locklin provided information.
Chairperson Izant suggested that we follow the code and make no changes.
9. PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS
10. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Questions from Planning Commission members regarding the status of future agenda items. No discussion or debate of these requests shall be undertaken.
10.a PLANNING COMMISSION TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA
10.a.1 PLANNING COMMISSION TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA - 26-CDD015 (Planning Manager Alexis Oropeza)
6 Moved by: Commissioner Hoffman
Seconded by: Commissioner Hirsh
To receive and file the February 17, 2026, Planning Commission tentative future agenda.
Ayes (5): Chairperson Izant, Vice Chairperson Flaherty, Commissioner Hoffman, Commissioner McNally, and Commissioner Hirsh
Motion Carried
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.