Lomita City Council
October 1, 2024

GENERAL PLAN
City of Lomita
2024-2045
Attachment 3

GENERAL PLAN

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
City Council
Bill Uphoff, Mayor
Mark A. Waronek, Mayor Pro-Tem
James Gazeley
Cindy Segawa
Barry Waite
Planning Commission
Steven Cammarata
Monica Dever
Michael Graf
Jay Mattingly
Joaquin Santos
Bob Steinbach
Brenda Stephens
City Staff
Andrew Vialpando, City Manager
Gary Sugano, Assistant City Manager
Adrian Fernandez, Community &
Economic Development Director
Laura MacMorran, Associate Planner
Erika Barbero, Assistant Planner
Ryan Smoot*
Brianna Rindge*
Carla Dillon*
Whitney Weisberg*
General Plan Advisory
Committee
John Ballard
Susie Dever
Adriana Dillon
Steven Huhta
Nayeem Khan
George Kivett
Irene Kurata
Denise Marrufo
Jessiqa Pace
Henry Sanchez Jr.

Rosemarie Valdez
Teresa Workman
Consultant Team
De Novo Planning Group
Kittelson & Associates, Inc.

Economic and Planning Systems
JZMK
Fuscoe
Cogstone
MD Acoustics
City Advisors
* Former staff member

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOC-1 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN

CHAPTERS
Introduction I-1
Land Use LU-1
Mobility M-1
Resource Management RM-1
Noise N-1
Economic Development ED-1
Housing (under a separate cover)
Safety (under a separate cover)
TABLES
Table I-1: Relationship Between General Plan Elements and State Requirements I-6 Table LU-1: General Plan Land Use 2045 Potential Buildout Summary LU-1 Table N-1: Land Use Compatibility for Community Noise Exposure N-8

FIGURES
Figure LU-1: Land Use Map LU-11
Figure LU-2: Planning Area LU-13
Figure M-1: Functional Classification M-5
Figure M-2: Existing and Planned Bike Facilities M-23
Figure M-3: Local Transportation Network M-25

INTRODUCTION
2024

INTRODUCTION
I-2 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
This page intentionally left blank.

INTRODUCTION
I-3 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN

OVERVIEW
In the Summer of 2023, the City of Lomita
embarked on an effort to update its General Plan,
a long-range policy document which articulates the
community’s vision for the future and provides a
framework to guide decisions on growth,
development, and conservation of open space and
resources in a manner consistent with the quality
of life desired by residents and businesses.

Over time, a city’s population and the physical
environment in which its residents live and work
changes. For the General Plan to be a useful
document, the City must monitor and periodically
revise the General Plan to respond to and reflect
changing conditions and needs. As such, the City
should comprehensively update the General Plan
periodically to reflect current conditions and
emerging trends and to respond to changes as
they occur. The last comprehensive update to the
General Plan occurred in 1997. Since then,
substantial changes to the planning context of
Lomita have occurred, including shifts in the
community’s demographics, changing market
conditions, and new ways of thinking about
sustainability, public health, and placemaking. In
light of these changes, the City undertook the
update as an opportunity to reassess its long-term
vision and identify new challenges, opportunities,
and approaches to make that vision a reality.

The development of this forward-thinking plan was
shaped by continuous dialogue and partnership
between City government and members of the
community. The General Plan reflects the
community’s values and desires and addresses
important issues such as land use and urban
design, mobility, housing, resource management,
public safety, economic development, and
environmental justice. Although it may be
updated periodically to reflect changing
conditions, new legislative requirements,
and modern local opportunities, the intent
of the Lomita General Plan is to lay the
foundation for long-term decision-making
over the next 20 years.

Contents
o Overview
o General Plan Scope and Contents
o General Plan Objectives
o Public Participation
o Community Vision Statement
o Guiding Principles
o Applying the General Plan
o Annual Reporting
What is a General Plan?
The general plan serves as a
“blueprint” for future development
of a city. It establishes land use
designations and policies to assist
decision-makers as they review
proposals for new development or
consider changes to city
ordinances. The general plan
addresses issues that impact the
entire city, such as how land is
used, where buildings are built, the
locations of roads and parks,
safety, noise, and more.

INTRODUCTION
I-4 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Scope and Contents
In California, all cities and counties are
required to adopt a general plan. The general
plan is a comprehensive policy document that
shapes the long-term physical development of
a jurisdiction’s planning area. The general plan
must include eight state-mandated elements
including land use, circulation, housing,
conservation, open space, noise, safety, and
environmental justice elements, as specified in
Government Code Section 65302, to the extent
that the issues identified by State law exist in
the city’s planning area. Additional elements
that relate to the physical development of the
city may also be addressed in the general plan.

The degree of specificity and level of detail of
the discussion of each general plan element
need only reflect local conditions and
circumstances. The Lomita General Plan was
prepared consistent with the requirements of
State law and addresses the relevant items
outlined in Government Code Section 65300 et
seq. A general plan is a “constitution” or
“blueprint” for the future physical and
economic development of a city or county. All
future planning decisions and project
approvals must be consistent with the general
plan, including, but not limited to: Area Plans,
Master Plans, subdivisions, public works
projects, public services, and zoning decisions.

A general plan has four defining features, as
described next.

INTRODUCTION
I-5 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
A general plan is comprehensive in nature,
covering a wide range of topics such as land
use, housing, economic development,
infrastructure, public safety, recreation,
and natural resources.

Comprehensive
A general plan provides guidance on
achieving a long-range vision of the future
for a city or county. To reach this
envisioned future, the general plan
includes goals, policies, and
implementation programs that address
both near-term and long-term needs. The
City of Lomita’s General Plan looks ahead
approximately 20 years – to the year of
2045. At the same time, the General Plan
will provide policy direction that allows for
flexibility to respond to changes in the
marketplace and in technology, positioning
the City for long-term success.

Long-Range
A general plan must be internally
(“horizontally”) consistent, meaning it
cannot contradict itself. A general plan uses
a consistent set of assumptions and
projections to assess future demands for
housing, employment, public services, and
infrastructure and must fully integrate its
separate parts and relate them to each
other without conflict. Additionally, all
adopted portions (elements) of a general
plan have equal weight. None may
supersede another, so the general plan
must resolve conflicts among the
provisions of each element. Finally, all
other plans, ordinances, and policies must
be consistent with the general plan. This
“vertical” consistency helps resolve
conflicts between local specific plans, the
City’s Zoning Code, and the General Plan.

Consistent
As the name implies, a general plan
provides general guidance for future land
use, transportation, infrastructure,
environmental, and resource decisions.

General

INTRODUCTION
I-6 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Policy Document
The General Plan Policy Document is the heart
of the General Plan. It contains the goals and
policies that will guide future decisions within
the city and identifies action items
(implementation measures) to ensure the
vision and goals of the General Plan are carried
out. Two important documents support the
General Plan: The Existing Conditions Report
and the General Plan Environmental Impact
Report (EIR). Both are intended to be used in
conjunction with this General Plan and to serve
as companions to this policy document.

The Lomita General Plan also contains a land
use diagram (map), which serves as a general
guide to the distribution of land uses
throughout the city. The Lomita General Plan
addresses all of the elements required by State
law, in addition to optional topics and elements
that the City has decided to include. Table I-1
identifies the elements included in the Lomita
General Plan and the corresponding
requirement in State law.

Table I-1: Relationship Between General Plan Elements and State Requirements General Plan Elements
State Mandated
Land Use
Circulation
Housing
Conservation
Open Space
Noise
Safety
*Environmental
Justice
Optional Topics
Lomita General Plan
Land Use ▲
Mobility ▲
Housing
(Separate Cover) ▲
Resource Management ▲ ▲
Noise ▲
Safety
(Separate Cover) ▲
Economic Development ▲
* The Lomita General Plan applies a holistic equity approach to the General Plan Update effort. Each element of the General Plan intentionally integrates equity, inclusion, and related concepts of health and environmental justice into its goals, policies, and actions. Specifically, all elements strive to promote equitable outcomes and advance community health and environmental justice goals (i.e., there is no stand-alone Environmental Justice Element but environmental justice ideals are incorporated throughout the General Plan).

INTRODUCTION
I-7 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Organization of General Plan Elements
Each element (i.e., chapter) of the General Plan
is organized into a set of goals, policies, and
implementation actions. Each goal is
supported by a particular set of policies and
actions to implement and achieve that goal.

Each element also includes a complete
summary of each action that is identified in the
element, accompanied by the City department
responsible for implementing the action and
the timing of implementation.

General Plan Objectives
The General Plan is more than just the legal
basis for all local land use decisions; it is the
vision for how the city will evolve, reflecting the
community’s objectives. The objectives of the
Lomita General Plan include:
 Reflect the current goals and vision
expressed by city residents, businesses,
decision-makers, and other stakeholders;
 Address issues and concerns identified by
city residents, businesses, decision-makers,
and other stakeholders;
 Preserve, protect, and enhance the city’s
existing residential neighborhoods;
 Celebrate and enhance Downtown Lomita;
 Expand the range of housing choices to
allow more people to live and work in
Lomita;
 Encourage new desirable uses in Lomita
and expand the local economy;
 Promote walkability to everyday uses;
 Create pedestrian-scaled environments;
 Target housing growth to support
commercial activity;
 Reinforce corridors with memorable places;
 Maintain strong fiscal sustainability and
continue to provide efficient and adequate
public services;
 Address new requirements of State law; and
 Address emerging transportation, housing,
and employment trends.

INTRODUCTION
I-8 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Public Participation
The Lomita General Plan was developed with
extensive community input and reflects the
community’s vision for Lomita. A summary of
the community outreach and public
participation process is provided below.

Outreach Objectives
The objectives for the comprehensive outreach
program were to:
 Conduct an open and transparent
community engagement process.
 Engage the full spectrum of Lomita
community members, residents, business
owners, landowners, and other
stakeholders in the General Plan Update
process; enhance public awareness of the
project and its importance.
 Gather meaningful community input,
ideas, and feedback to shape the vision,
alternatives, and policies to be included in
the Lomita General Plan.
 Build a framework to develop community
consensus throughout the process.
 Strengthen and expand relationships and
trust between the City and community
members.

Public Outreach
For all public workshops and meetings, the City
of Lomita conducted extensive outreach, using
a wide variety of methods and tools, to inform
and encourage the community to participate in
the General Plan update process. The list of
methods and tools used to inform the public of
meetings, workshops, and the status of the
General Plan Update work efforts includes the
following:
 General Plan website: The City maintains
a website (www.lomita.generalplan.org)
devoted to informing the public about, and
encouraging participation in, the General
Plan Update process. The website includes
all public notices, all workshop materials,
presentations given to the GPAC and City
Council, background materials, draft policy
documents, and draft versions of the
General Plan Land Use Map.

INTRODUCTION
I-9 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
 E-mail distribution list: The list was
developed and maintained over time, and
included email contacts for agencies,
organizations, stakeholders, and
individuals requesting information.
 Social media: The City regularly posted
meeting notices and project updates to its
social media platforms, including
Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, and
Twitter.
 Flyers: Flyers and video board messaging
were posted at City Hall and at key
locations throughout the community
advertising the Visioning Workshops and
online survey.

INTRODUCTION
I-10 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Visioning Workshops
At the start of the outreach process, the City of
Lomita hosted a series of three Visioning
Workshops to begin its conversation with the
community regarding the ongoing General
Plan Update. Approximately 100 people
attended some or all of the workshops. All
three workshops included an overview of the
General Plan Update project, including why the
City is updating its General Plan, background
information on the evening’s topic, and a series
of facilitated activities to gather input on key
topics or ideas. All three of the in-person
Visioning Workshops were held at the Don
Knabe Community Meeting Room and Spanish
translation was provided to minimize barriers
to participation.

The topics explored in each Visioning
Workshop along with summaries of the input
provided by the community are provided in the
Visioning Outreach Summary Report, which is
available for review online at:
www.lomita.generalplan.org.

The first Visioning Workshop was held on
Tuesday, June 27th, 2023 and focused on the
future vision for Lomita. Over 50 individuals
attended the first Visioning Workshop. The
intent was to begin a dialogue with the
community regarding its priorities for the next
20 years. Following a brief presentation on the
General Plan Update, the consultant team
facilitated two activities to help conduct this
conversation. The first activity served to
identify assets, vision ideals, and challenges
facing Lomita while the second activity aimed
to identify opportunity areas that warranted
additional land use and/or policy direction.

The second Visioning Workshop was held on
Tuesday, July 11th, 2023 and centered on the
future Mobility vision. Over 30 individuals
attended the second Visioning Workshop
focusing on transportation and mobility in
Lomita, including how people get around the
city itself (cars, walking, biking, transit) and
regional transit connections. The presentation
included background on the city’s existing
roadway network and commuting patterns
(i.e., where people who live in Lomita go for
work and where people who work in Lomita
commute from), new transportation
technologies, and a preview of “complete
streets.” The workshop activity presented
community stakeholders with poll questions
related to the future of mobility in Lomita. The
workshop participants used their mobile
devices to visit a website (PollEV.com) to
answer nine questions that provided
community insight on local traffic patterns,
mass transit needs, and active transportation
infrastructure.

The third and final Visioning Workshop was
held on Tuesday, July 25th, 2023 and revolved
around the Land Use Design vision for Lomita.

An estimated number of 35 participants
attended the last Visioning Workshop. The
consultant collected input on land use design
from community members using PollEV.com
where participants answered nine polling
questions related to land use and design
preferences for Lomita. Participants expressed
their preferences for a range of potential land
use development options, which included
residential, mixed-use, commercial, office, and
park spaces.

Workshop 1: Vision
Workshop 3: Land Use and Design
Workshop 2: Mobility

INTRODUCTION
I-11 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Online Survey
To capture as much input from the community
as possible, including input from those who
may not have participated in the Visioning
Workshops, the project team designed an
online survey that was open to all and available
early in the outreach process. The survey was
administered online via the SurveyMonkey web
platform and was designed to mimic the
activities conducted as part of the Visioning
Workshops (i.e., if someone was not able to
attend some or all of the workshops, they were
able to take the online survey and provide
feedback on the same questions).

The survey focused on:
1) Visioning and community priorities;
2) Mobility/transportation issues; and
3) Land use and design options.

The City received over 160 responses to the
online survey; 85% of respondents indicated
that they did not attend any of the in-person
workshops. The survey responses provided
additional insight into the demographics and
opinions of Lomita community members
concerning goals and topics related to the
update of the City’s General Plan.

General Plan Advisory Committee
The 12-member General Plan Advisory
Committee (GPAC), which consisted of
residents, local real estate professionals,
Lomita Chamber of Commerce members, and
Lomita Public Safety and Traffic Commission
members, among others, collaborated with
City staff and the General Plan Update
consultant team throughout the development
of the General Plan. The GPAC met eight times
between June 2023 and March 2024 to identify
key issues and challenges that Lomita faces
over the next 20 years, prepare a Community
Vision Statement, and to develop the
comprehensive set of goals and policies
contained in the General Plan. Each General
Plan Advisory Group meeting was open to the
public. All meeting materials are available on
the project website at:
www.lomita.generalplan.org
Community Open House
The City invited the community to an Open
House on the General Plan, held on August 26,
2024 at Lomita City Hall. At the Open House,
the City hosted tables focusing on key
topics/components of the proposed General
Plan (such as land use, community design,
transportation, and public facilities) and
shared key goals, policies, and actions included
in the General Plan to address these topics.

Community members were able to ask
questions of City staff and the consultant team
and learn more about the future of Lomita.

INTRODUCTION
I-12 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Community Vision Statement
A Vision Statement is a collection of
aspirational statements framing
community needs and desires. Vision
Statements are important to help guide
the creation of the General Plan. The
Lomita Community Vision was developed
to reflect the meaningful community
input received at the Visioning
Workshops, online survey, from key
community members and stakeholders,
and elected and appointed officials.

Community Vision
The Lomita Community Vision is a statement
that describes the city in 2045.
“Lomita is a friendly city where people of all
ages can live, work, and enjoy their lives. The
City provides the necessary high-quality
infrastructure, facilities, and services that our
residents expect while consistently looking
towards the future to carefully plan for the
needs of new residents, growing business
industries, and emerging technologies.

Our distinct sense of place is rooted in our
history and tradition – a small and spirited city
with an agrarian past, established residential
neighborhoods, and well-maintained parks.

Residents of our attractive, safe, and quiet
neighborhoods support Lomita’s thriving
downtown and vibrant commercial corridors,
which feature desirable shopping and dining
options and engaging public spaces. The city
provides safe and efficient ways to get around
the community in a vehicle, walking, biking,
and other alternative transportation modes.

Lomita’s enviable regional location and
transportation connections allow our residents
to easily access regional employment centers
and many of southern California’s most
beautiful natural resources and destinations.

We recognize that meaningful partnerships
with local and regional stakeholders –
including homeowners associations,
businesses, the Los Angeles Unified School
District, utility providers, neighboring
jurisdictions, and public and nonprofit
agencies – can help us achieve our vision. We
are committed to fostering a positive
atmosphere of civic collaboration so that
Lomita remains a desirable and safe
community.”

INTRODUCTION
I-13 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Guiding Principles
The following Guiding Principles are the ideals that guided the development of the General Plan and communicate the
community’s priorities for Lomita’s progression into the future.

Sense of Community
Quality of Life
Business Opportunities
Sustainable Development
Thriving Downtown Lomita
Vibrant Commercial Corridors
Walkability

INTRODUCTION
I-14 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Guiding Principle
Foster a sense of community unique to Lomita that
celebrates the city’s history, character, diversity, and amenities. Even as the city changes, the community will retain its charming small-town atmosphere.

Downtown Lomita and the Civic Center will serve as
the cornerstones of civic life and community events
and programs held throughout Lomita will continue to
create inviting opportunities for people to come
together. The community’s distinguishing
characteristics, including its location at the base of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the small-town feel, and its
safe, quiet residential neighborhoods are highly valued as an important part of Lomita’s sense of place and
character. Residents are proud to call Lomita home
and businesses want to locate to Lomita because of
the friendly community.

Sense of Community

INTRODUCTION
I-15 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Guiding Principle
Provide the necessary infrastructure, services, and
facilities for the people who choose to live, work, and do business in Lomita. Carefully consider how and
where new development should occur to protect the
safe, quiet, and peaceful ambience of the city’s existing residential neighborhoods. At the same time,
recognize the City’s need to have a fiscally sustainable balance of land uses to continue funding the public
services and amenities the community expects. New
development must fit within the scale and character of
the community with thoughtful transitions between
different land uses. Housing options desirable for all
ages, including attainable housing for first-time
homeowners, family housing, mixed-use residential/
commercial, and homes for seniors, are all important
parts of the community’s housing stock.

Quality of Life

INTRODUCTION
I-16 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Guiding Principle
Support and help create a thriving downtown through
a comprehensive approach to successful, sustainable,
long-term revitalization of Downtown Lomita.

Successful revitalization begins with basic, simple
activities which demonstrate that “new things are
happening” in the downtown, and this incremental
change leads to much longer-lasting and dramatic
positive change. Capitalize on the downtown’s existing
assets and unique qualities, including its distinctive
buildings and human scale that give people a sense of
belonging. Emphasize quality in every aspect of the
revitalization program. This applies to all elements of the process – from storefront designs to promotional
campaigns to educational programs. Forge effective
public-private partnerships with the understanding
that each sector has a role to play in effectuating
change in the downtown core.

Thriving Downtown Lomita

INTRODUCTION
I-17 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Guiding Principle
Improve Lomita’s ability to be fiscally sustainable
through the expansion of commercial activities,
retention of existing successful businesses, and
redevelopment along the city’s commercial corridors.

Embrace the challenges of the new retail economy by
supporting development or redevelopment along the
commercial corridors that focuses on providing unique
experiences that cannot be replicated through online
shopping. This includes providing a range of dining,
shopping, and entertainment options for all
generations so that people living and working in
Lomita want to spend time in the community. The
inclusion of visible gathering spaces like public plazas and outdoor dining patios will help to create a more
enjoyable commercial environment. Bringing
commercial, residential, and civic uses closer together in mixed-use environments can also support the
success of Lomita’s commercial sector.

Vibrant Commercial Corridors

INTRODUCTION
I-18 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Guiding Principle
Enhance the City’s reputation as a desirable place to
locate a new business and encourage the expansion of
industry clusters that provide employment
opportunities and add to the City’s revenues. Lomita
has everything a business needs to thrive and grow. Its location provides businesses with access to strategic
markets and a multimodal transportation system,
including freeways, international airports, and
seaports. The community includes a diverse, highlyeducated, and creative labor pool. Work collaboratively with businesses to promote and streamline
regulations to facilitate economic activity. Continue to invest in economic development programs that
promote Lomita as the natural choice to successfully
grow a business and encourage innovation.

Business Opportunities

INTRODUCTION
I-19 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Guiding Principle
Create a walkable community by planning and
designing with walkability in mind. Support
development that brings a mix of uses close together
in a more efficient urban form. Construct sidewalks,
crosswalks, and bike facilities that create safe passage for all modes of transportation. Provide convenient,
well-designed parking that encourages people to park
and walk to their destination. Offer more
transportation choices and mobility options for people
of all ages and abilities, which in turn will provide
higher levels of social interaction, greater
opportunities for physical activity, and reduced
emissions from automobile travel.

Walkability

INTRODUCTION
I-20 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Guiding Principle
Approach sustainability from an economic, social, and
environmental perspective. All growth and
development decisions should consider the cost,
environmental impacts, and the effect on social equity.

Promote environmentally friendly and energy efficient
infill development practices. Mix land uses along
corridors to allow proximity of housing to amenities,
jobs, and other complimentary uses. Provide a variety
of transportation choices and multimodal options.

Continue to act in a fiscally sustainable manner to
maintain existing service levels.

Sustainable Development

INTRODUCTION
I-21 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Applying the General Plan
The General Plan is intended for use by a broad
range of persons, including City decisionmakers, City staff, developers, and community members, to serve the following purposes:
 To identify land use patterns, growth,
transportation, environmental, economic,
and community goals and policies as they
relate to land use, conservation,
development, and provision of community
services and facilities.
 To articulate a vision and strategy for the
future development of Lomita and its
residents.
 To enable the City Council and Planning
Commission to establish long-range land use,
transportation, services, conservation, and
growth goals and policies.
 To provide a basis for judging whether
specific private development proposals and
public projects are in harmony with the
established goals and policies.
 To inform citizens, developers, decisionmakers, and other jurisdictions of the policies that will guide development and resource
conservation within Lomita.

The General Plan applies to lands in the
incorporated area of the city, to the extent
allowed by Federal and State law. Under State
law, many actions, such as development
projects, specific plans, master plans,
community plans, zoning, subdivisions, public
agency projects, and other decisions must be
consistent with the General Plan. State law
requires that the City’s ordinances regulating
land use be consistent with the General Plan.

The Zoning Code, individual project proposals,
and other related plans and ordinances must
be consistent with the goals and policies in the
General Plan.

Interpreting the General Plan
In reading the General Plan, one should infer
that the goals, policies, and implementation
measures are limited to the extent that it is
financially feasible and appropriate for the City
to carry them out and to the extent legally
permitted by Federal and State law. For
example, policies and measures which indicate
that the City will “provide,” “support,” “ensure,”
or otherwise require or carry them out do not
indicate an irreversible commitment of City
funds or staff resources to those activities, but
rather, that the City will support them when
the City deems that it is financially feasible and
appropriate to do so. In some cases, the City
will carry out various policies and measures by
requiring development, infrastructure, and
other projects to be consistent with the policies
and actions of the General Plan. In other cases,
the City may include General Plan items in the
Capital Improvement Program, annual budget,
or other implementation mechanisms, as the
City deems appropriate.

Key Terms
Goal: A description of the general desired
condition that the community seeks to
create.

Policy: A specific statement that guides
decision-making as the City works to
achieve the various goals. Once adopted,
policies represent statements of City
regulations.

Action: An action, procedure,
implementation technique, or specific
program to be undertaken by the City to
help achieve a specified goal or implement
an adopted policy.

INTRODUCTION
I-22 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
How to Read Lomita’s General Plan
As the guide for future development and
desired conditions, residents, property
owners, and business owners should also
familiarize themselves with how to read this
document. Each element contains a brief
introduction, several goals and related policies,
and a description of related actions to help
implement the City’s vision.

A goal in the General Plan is the broadest
statement of community values. It is a
generalized ideal which provides a sense of
direction for action. Goals are overall
statements of desired future conditions.

The essence of the General Plan is contained
within its policies. Policies are statements
which further refine the goals, and guide the
course of action the City must take to achieve
the goals in the plan. It is important to note
that policies are guides for decision-makers,
not decisions themselves. Policies and
implementation measures must be clear to be
useful. However, policies may range in terms
of commitment of resources, importance, and
expected results. Therefore, it is important for
readers to understand the distinctions
between various levels of policy and
implementation action. The following is a list of
common terms used in policies and
implementation measures, and how to
interpret its usage in the General Plan. In cases
where other terms are used (and not defined
herein), the document may use an equivalent
to the closest applicable term.

Shall: Absolute commitment to the policy or
action and indicates that the policy must be
adhered to in all cases.

Should: Policy will be followed in most cases,
but exceptions are acceptable with reason.

Ensure: Policy indicates that the City plays a
role in making sure something happens, often
times in partnership with other agencies or as
part of other City programs and processes.

Encourage: Policy is highly recommended
and/or desired and should be pursued when
feasible.

Allow: Policy will be supported within certain
parameters and certain guidelines.

Coordinate: Policy will occur in conjunction
with another entity and the City will carry its
share of the responsibility.

Explore: Effort will be taken to investigate the
subject at hand to discover whether or not
further commitment is relevant.

Consider: The City will conduct further analysis
to determine whether to follow the policy.

Limit: Effort will be taken to keep the subject
within certain limits, or will at least make
undesired change more difficult.

Restrict: Effort will be taken to keep the
undesired action to a minimum.

Goals
Policies and Implementation Actions

INTRODUCTION
I-23 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Amending the General Plan
The General Plan is not static, but rather is a
dynamic and multi-faceted document that
defines and addresses the changing needs of
the City. It is based on an on-going assessment
and understanding of existing and projected
community needs. The City’s decision-makers
have discretion in interpreting the General
Plan and its purposes, and are allowed to
weigh and balance the various goals and
policies when applying them. Recognizing the
need for the General Plan to remain current
and reflective of local issues and policies, State
law allows the City to periodically amend the
General Plan to ensure that it is consistent with
the conditions, values, expectations, and
needs of its residents, businesses, and other
stakeholders. The General Plan may be
amended in accordance with State law. While
specific findings may be applied on a projectby-project basis, at a minimum the following standard findings shall be made for each
proposed General Plan amendment:
1) The amendment is deemed to be in the
public interest;
2) The amendment is consistent and/or
compatible with the rest of the General
Plan;
3) The potential impacts of the amendment
have been assessed and have been
determined not to be detrimental to the
public health, safety, or welfare; and
4) The amendment has been processed in
accordance with the applicable provisions
of the California Government Code, the
California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA), and the City’s Municipal Code.

City-initiated amendments, as well as
amendments requested by other parties, are
subject to the same basic process to ensure
consistency and compatibility with the General
Plan. This includes appropriate environmental
review, public notice, and public hearings,
leading to an official action by the City Council.

Timing
Under State law, mandatory elements of the
General Plan may be amended up to four times
in each calendar year. The City Council or any
citizen may initiate consideration of a General
Plan amendment. State law further requires
that the Housing Element be reviewed and
updated at least once every eight years.

Exemptions
The State Legislature has recognized that
occasions arise which require a local
jurisdiction to have some flexibility in
amending the General Plan. As set forth in the
California Government Code, the following are
exempt from the General Plan amendment
schedule:
 Amendments to optional elements;
 Amendments requested and necessary for
affordable housing (Section 65358(c));
 Any amendment necessary to comply with
a court decision in a case involving the legal
adequacy of the general plan (Section
65358(d)(1)); and
 Amendments to bring a general plan into
compliance with an airport land use plan
(Section 65302.3).

INTRODUCTION
I-24 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Annual Reporting
Given the long-term nature of the General
Plan, it is critical to periodically evaluate its
effectiveness and to document the
implementation status of the various policies
and actions that it contains. The Governor’s
Office of Planning and Research provides
direction on how cities and counties can
maintain the General Plan as a useful policy
guide. State law also requires the City to
annually report “The status of the plan and
progress in its implementation” (California
Government Code § 65400(a)(2)(A)) to the City
Council. The action items in each General Plan
element identify the measures to be carried
out by the General Plan in its implementation.

LAND USE
2024

LAND USE
LU-2 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
This page intentionally left blank.

LAND USE
LU-3 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN

INTRODUCTION TO LAND USE
The Land Use Element is a guide to land use
planning in Lomita and provides a framework for
the land use patterns and urban form of the city. In
coordination with the Mobility, Housing, and
Resource Management Elements, it defines how
the city’s buildings and public spaces – homes,
stores, offices, parks, streets, and sidewalks –
should organize and shape the community in the
future. The Land Use Element, which includes the
Land Use Map (Figure LU-1), identifies how and
where land will be used in the future – for housing,
commercial and industrial uses, public facilities,
parks, open space, and transportation. The Land
Use Element identifies the range of allowed uses
and development densities and intensities
permitted by the Land Use Plan. Overall, this
element is designed to:
 Preserve and protect the city’s existing
residential neighborhoods;
 Direct future growth to key opportunity areas
along the city’s primary transportation
corridors;
 Support quality expanded housing and
employment opportunities; and
 Promote a strong sense of place and identity
in Lomita.

Overview
The Land Use Element provides for a development
and resource conservation pattern that preserves
and protects Lomita’s unique small-town character
while promoting opportunities for expanded
housing options, economic development, and local
job growth. Ensuring that Lomita has sufficient
capacity and flexibility to support a diverse mix of
land uses is essential to the community’s ability to
thrive and be economically sustainable over time.

Organization of Element
The Land Use Element goals and
policies address each of the following
topics:
o Balanced Land Use Pattern
o Comprehensive Land Development
o Urban Form and Placemaking
o Infrastructure and Services
o Community Health and Wellness
“ The Land Use
Element provides for
a development and
resource
conservation pattern
that preserves and
protects Lomita’s
unique small-town
character while
promoting
opportunities for
expanded housing
options, economic
development, and
local job growth.”
Balanced land use
patterns reduce
commute times and
increase local job
opportunities.

LAND USE
LU-4 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
The Economic Development Element provides
important complementary policy direction to
support the City’s land use priorities.

State law requires the Land Use Element to
address the following, to the extent they are locally
relevant:
 Proposed general distribution, general
location, and extent of the uses of the land
for housing, business, industry, open space,
including agriculture, natural resources,
recreation, and enjoyment of scenic beauty,
education, public buildings and grounds,
solid and liquid waste disposal facilities, and
other categories of public and
private uses of land;
 Population density and building
intensity; and
 Areas subject to flooding (the Lomita
General Plan addresses this topic
within the context of its Safety
Element).

Chapter 2 of the General Plan Update
Existing Conditions Report presents
background information regarding land
use.

Planning Area Boundaries
The City Limits include all area within the City’s corporate boundary, over which the City exercises land use authority and provides public services.

City Limits
A city’s Sphere of Influence (SOI) is the probable physical boundary and service area of a local agency, as adopted by a Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). An SOI may include both incorporated and unincorporated areas within which a city or special district will have primary responsibility for the provision of public facilities and services. Lomita’s SOI is coterminous with its city limits, meaning it is the same as its city limits.

Sphere Of Influence
The Planning Area is the geographic area for which the General Plan provides a framework for long-term growth and resource conservation. State law requires the General Plan to include all territory within Lomita’s incorporated area as well as “any land outside its boundaries which in the planning agency’s judgment bears relation to its planning” (California Government Code Section 65300). The Planning Area, as shown in Figure LU-2, includes the entire city limits (approximately 1,228 acres).

Planning Area

LAND USE
LU-5 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Land Use Designations
The Land Use Designations specify the type of
uses allowed in each designation. Zoning,
specific plans, and individual development
projects must be consistent with the intensities
allowed under the General Plan.

Land Use Classification System
The Land Use Map (Figure LU-1) illustrates the
various types and distribution of land uses
planned for the community. The land use
classification system includes nine land use
designations which identify the types and
nature of development allowed in particular
locations depicted on the Land Use Map
(Figure LU-1).

The residential category includes four land use
designations that allow for a range of housing
types and densities. The nonresidential
grouping includes a variety of jobs-generating
designations (Manufacturing/Commercial) as
well as designations that serve the public good
(Publicly Owned Land). Finally, the mixed land
use category allows for the development of
residential and nonresidential development on
the same project site in mixed-use formats.

Density
Density refers to the intensity of residential
uses in terms of a range, from a minimum to a
maximum, of dwelling units per gross acre.

Various building configurations representing
different densities are shown below.

LAND USE
LU-6 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Buildout Potential
State General Plan law requires that the Land
Use Element indicate the maximum densities
and intensities permitted within the Land Use
Plan. The land use designations shown on the
Land Use Map are described in detail in this
Element. Table LU-1 lists each of the land use
designations shown on the Land Use Map and
provides a corresponding indication of
maximum density or intensity of allowable
development. Maximum allowable
development on individual parcels of land is
governed by these measures of density or
intensity. The table also includes the effective
overall level of development within each land
use designation within the city. The effective
levels of development represent an
anticipated overall density and intensity of
development for Lomita and are, therefore,
less than the absolute maximum allowed for
an individual parcel of land. For various
reasons, many parcels in the community have
not been developed to maximum density or
intensity and, in the future, maximum
development as described in this Element can
be expected to occur only on a limited number
of parcels. Actual future development would
depend on future real estate and labor market
conditions, property owner preferences and
decisions, site-specific constraints, land
turnover, and other factors. Additionally,
existing development conditions largely
dictate new development and growth. Very
few communities in California actually develop
to the full potential allowed by their respective
General Plans during the planning horizon.

The overall future development in Lomita is
anticipated to occur at the expected level of
density and/or intensity indicated in Table LU1. Development at a density or intensity between the expected and maximum levels is
desired when projects offer exceptional design
quality, important public amenities or benefits,
or other factors that promote important goals
and policies of the General Plan. For the
residential land use designations, projects are
expected to build to a density at least as high
as the lowest density allowed by the respective
designation.

Residential – Agricultural (R-AG); 0 – 10.89 du/ac
The Residential – Agricultural land use
designation provides for the development of
residential uses of lower density. The
designation generally permits the keeping of
farm animals and development densities of up
to 10.89 units per net acre. Any new land
division or subdivision must reflect the
Residential – Low Density intensity standards,
if the lot sizes for individual units are less than
10,000 square feet.

Residential – Low Density (R-LD); 5.8 – 10.89 du/ac
The Residential – Low Density land use
designation provides for the development of
single-family residential land uses. The
allowable development density is 5.8 to 10.89
units per net acre.

Residential – Medium Density (R-MD); 10.9 – 19.79
du/ac
The Residential – Medium Density land use
designation provides for the development of a
range of residential land uses, including
detached and attached single-family, duplexes,
multifamily dwellings, and mobile home
communities. The allowable development
density for this category is 10.9 to 19.8 units
per net acre.

Residential Land Use Designations

LAND USE
LU-7 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Residential – High Density (R-HD); 19.8 – 43.6
du/ac
The Residential – High Density land use
designation provides for the development of a
range of multifamily dwellings and mobile
home communities. The allowable
development density for this category is 19.8
to 43.6 units per net acre.

Manufacturing-Commercial (M-C); FAR 1:1
The Manufacturing-Commercial land use
designation provides for a range of
commercial uses and medium and light
industrial uses, such as manufacturing,
warehousing, research and development, and
other industrial uses that can operate indoors
or behind effective screening. The maximum
FAR for this designation is 1:1.

Publicly Owned Land (POL)
The Publicly Owned Land land use designation
provides for facilities built and maintained for
public uses, such as the Civic Center, Fire
Station, County Offices, Library, Museum, and
Navy Fields. The designation also applies to
public schools, parks, and other public and
quasi-public uses.

Mixed-Use – 30 (MU30); 20 – 30 du/ac, FAR 1:1
The Mixed-Use – 30 land use designation
provides for the development of residential
and nonresidential development on the same
project site in mixed-use formats, either
vertically (such as when residential uses are
located over commercial uses) or horizontally
(such as when the street frontage of a site is
devoted to commercial uses with residential
uses behind). This designation intends to
support lower-scale development in the city’s
historic center, with a focus on maintaining
smaller-scale development.

The designation permits residential
development densities of 20 to 30 units per net
acre. The maximum intensity of nonresidential
development is a FAR of 1:1. For projects
including residential and nonresidential
components, the density requirements shall
apply to the residential component, and the
FAR shall apply to the nonresidential
component. Standalone commercial projects
are allowed; stand-alone residential projects
are prohibited, except the sites identified in the
2021-2029 Housing Element’s Housing Sites
Inventory.

Mixed-Use – 40 (MU40); 20 – 40 du/ac, FAR 1:1
The Mixed-Use – 40 land use designation
provides for the development of residential
and nonresidential development on the same
project site in mixed-use formats, either
vertically or horizontally.

The designation permits residential
development densities of 20 to 40 units per net
acre. The maximum intensity of nonresidential
development is a FAR of 1:1. For projects
including residential and nonresidential
components, the density requirements shall
apply to the residential component, and the
FAR shall apply to the nonresidential
component. Standalone commercial projects
are allowed; stand-alone residential projects
are prohibited, except the sites identified in the
2021-2029 Housing Element’s Housing Sites
Inventory.

Nonresidential Land Use Designations
Mixed Land Use Designations

LAND USE
LU-8 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Mixed-Use – 70 (MU70); 20 – 70 du/ac, FAR 1:1
The Mixed-Use – 70 land use designation
provides for the development of residential
and nonresidential development on the same
project site in mixed-use formats, either
vertically or horizontally.

The designation permits residential
development densities of 20 to 70 units per net
acre. The maximum intensity of nonresidential
development is a FAR of 1:1. For projects which
include residential and nonresidential
components, the density requirements shall
apply to the residential component, and the
FAR shall apply to the nonresidential
component. Standalone commercial projects
are allowed; stand-alone residential projects
are prohibited, except the sites identified in the
2021-2029 Housing Element’s Housing Sites
Inventory.

LAND USE
LU-9 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Table LU-1 General Plan Land Use 2045 Potential Buildout Summary Land Use Designation Acres1
Allowed
Density
and/or
Building
Intensity
Assumed
Density
and/or
Building
Intensity2
Units Population Nonresidential
Square Feet Jobs

RESIDENTIAL LAND USES
Residential – Agricultural 90 0 – 10.89
du/ac 8.71 du/ac 785 2,072 0 0
Residential – Low Density 505 5.8 – 10.89
du/ac 8.71 du/ac 4,398 11,610 0 0
Residential – Medium
Density 66 10.9 –19.79 du/ac 17.8 du/ac 1,130 2,983 0 0 Residential – High Density 25 19.8 – 43.6
du/ac 34.8 du/ac 868 2,291 0 0
Residential Subtotal 686 -- -- 7,181 18,956 -- --

NONRESIDENTIAL LAND USES
Manufacturing-Commercial 11 FAR 1:1 0.3 FAR -- -- 141,646 177 Publicly Owned Land3 63 No max -- -- -- 0 0
Nonresidential Subtotal 74 -- -- -- -- 141,646 177

MIXED LAND USES
Mixed-Use – 30 13
20 – 30
du/ac,
FAR 1:1
11 du/ac,

0.35 FAR 146 385 202,124 253
Mixed-Use – 40 136
20 – 40
du/ac,
FAR 1:1
14 du/ac,

0.3 FAR 1,883 4,972 1,816,303 2,270
Mixed-Use – 70 73
20 – 70
du/ac,
FAR 1:1
24 du/ac;

0.3 FAR 1,949 5,146 950,655 1,188
Mixed Land Use Subtotal 222 -- -- 3,978 10,503 2,969,082 3,711 Totals 982 -- -- 11,159 29,459 3,110,728 3,888

1. Acres are given as adjusted gross acreages, which do not include the right-of-way for major roadways. Numbers are rounded to the nearest whole number.

2. Density/building intensity includes both residential density, expressed as dwelling units per acre, and nonresidential intensity, expressed as floor area ratio (FAR), which is the amount of building square feet in relation to the size of the lot. Table LU-1 uses an assumed density and/or building intensity to establish potential buildout totals. Historically, citywide buildout levels do not achieve the maximum allowable density/intensity on every parcel, and are, on average, lower than allowed by the General Plan. Accordingly, the projections in this General Plan do not assume buildout at the maximum density or intensity, but are adjusted downward to account for variations in development.

3. The Publicly Owned Land designation accommodates a variety of institutional uses with very limited current or future development potential.

LAND USE
LU-10 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
This page intentionally left blank.

W Lomita Blvd
W Anaheim St
Crenshaw Blvd
Western Ave
Palos Verdes
Dr E
Skypark Dr
Western Ave
Crenshaw Blvd
Eshelman Ave
Lomita Blvd
Western Ave
Narbonne Ave
Palos Verdes Dr N
Alta Vista Ave
Oak St
Eshelman Ave
Walnut St
250th St
Pennsylvania Ave
253rd St
Cypress St
255th St
262nd St
243rd St
Ebony Ln
Doria Ave
245th St Woodward Ave
Appian Wy
Rolling Vista Dr
Viana Ave
Via
Desmonde
251st St
Via
Marquette
254th St
263rdSt
Feijoa Ave
Andreo Ave
Fair v iew
Ave
247thPl
261st St
253rd Pl
240th St
248th St
241st St
247th St
Lucille Ave
256th St
Via MadonnaMonte Vista Ave
Regent Ave
252nd St
257th St
242nd St
249th St
246th St
246th Pl
1 Pacific Coast Hwy
T o r r a n c e
M u n i c i p a l
A i r p o r t
L o s
A n g e l e s
R a n c h o
P a l o s V e r d e s
T o r r a n c e
R o l l i n g
H i l l s
E s t a t e s
T o r r a n c e
Prepared for the City of Lomita by De Novo Planning Group, November 21, 2023. General Plan Update Land Use Map Sources: Los Angeles County GIS.
0 500 1,000
Feet
Lomita City Boundary
Other Incorporated Area
R-AG: Residential - Agriculture
R-LD: Residential - Low Density
R-MD: Residential - Medium Density
R-HD: Residential - High Density
POL: Publicly Owned Land
MU30: Mixed-Use 30
MU40: Mixed-Use 40
MU70: Mixed-Use 70
M-C: Manufacturing/Commercial

LAND USE
LU-12 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
This page intentionally left blank.

W Lomita Blvd
W Anaheim St
Crenshaw Blvd
Western Ave
Palos Verdes
Dr E
Skypark Dr
Pacific Coast Hwy
Western Ave
Crenshaw Blvd
Eshelman Ave
Lomita Blvd
Western Ave
Narbonne Ave
Palos Verdes Dr N
Alta Vista Ave
Oak St
Eshelman Ave
Walnut St
250th St
Pennsylvania Ave
253rd St
Cypress St
255th St
262nd St
243rd St
Ebony Ln
Doria Ave
245th St Woodward Ave
Appian Wy
Rolling Vista Dr
Viana Ave
Via
Desmonde
251st St
Via
Marquette
254th St
263rdSt
Feijoa Ave
Andreo Ave
Fair v iew
Ave
247thPl
261st St
253rd Pl
240th St
248th St
241st St
247th St
Lucille Ave
256th St
Via MadonnaMonte Vista Ave
Regent Ave
252nd St
257th St
242nd St
249th St
246th St
246th Pl
1 Pacific Coast Hwy
T o r r a n c e
M u n i c i p a l
A i r p o r t
L o s
A n g e l e s
R a n c h o
P a l o s V e r d e s
T o r r a n c e
R o l l i n g H i l l s
E s t a t e s
T o r r a n c e
Planning Area Prepared for the City of Lomita by De Novo Planning Group, June 26, 2023.

Sources: Los Angeles County GIS.
0 500 1,000
Feet
LEGEND
Lomita City Boundary
Other Incorporated Area

LAND USE
LU-14 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL LU-1
The General Plan provides for a mix of land uses,
including housing, employment, retail and services,
entertainment, and arts and culture. The goal intends
to promote “complete neighborhoods” that offer a
range of housing options, provide a variety of
amenities and goods and services within walking
distance, and have a high level of connectivity for
pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles. By providing a
diverse mix of land uses to meet current and future
community needs, the City is working towards a more
resilient and vibrant community that residents are
proud to call home.

LU-1 Policies
LU-1.1 Land Use Planning. Promote a
comprehensive approach to land use
planning that is socially, economically, and
environmentally sustainable; enhances
community livability and public health; offers
choices in housing, jobs, amenities, and
transportation; reduces pollution,
greenhouse gas emissions, and the
expenditure of non-renewable resources;
and provides opportunities for meaningful
public engagement in land use decisions.

Balanced Land Use Pattern
Preserve a balanced land use pattern
that meets the diverse needs of
Lomita’s residents and businesses,
providing a range of housing options,
offering a variety of employment and
recreation opportunities, and
promoting a robust local economy.

LAND USE
LU-15 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
LU-1.2 Focused Growth. Focus new higher
density mixed-use development
along major corridors and within key
activity nodes to expand housing
opportunity, preserve the character
of existing single-family
neighborhoods, promote active
transportation options, and enhance
economic vitality.

LU-1.3 Employment/Housing Balance.

Strive to balance levels of
employment and housing within the
community to provide more
opportunities for residents to work
locally, reduce commute times, and
improve air quality.

LU-1.4 Thriving Downtown. Promote
economic opportunities in
Downtown Lomita through a mixture
of housing, destination-type
commercial uses, eateries,
entertainment, and civic uses such as
cultural and performing arts
facilities. Support pedestrian-friendly
and human-scaled development
within the downtown area to reduce
vehicle trips and parking demand.

LU-1.5 Neighborhood-Serving Uses.

Support the development of
neighborhood-scaled retail and
service uses nearby residences to
meet daily needs and reduce vehicle
trips.

LU-1.6 Capture Local Spending. Encourage
the development of a broad range of
commercial uses that capture a
greater share of local spending and
reduce residents’ reliance upon
travel to nearby communities.

LU-1.7 Developable Parcels. Facilitate the
consolidation of small lots into larger
developable parcels (at least 0.50
acres) along Lomita Boulevard and
Pacific Coast Highway to create new
opportunities for financially viable
development that supports the City’s
desired land use mix.

LU-1.8 Mixed-Use. Create opportunities for
development projects that mix
housing with commercial uses to
enable Lomita’s residents to live
close to businesses and
employment, improving multi-modal
travel and increasing social
interaction.

LU-1 Actions
LU-1a Update the City’s Zoning Ordinance
(Title XI, Chapter 1 of the Lomita
Municipal Code) and Zoning Map as
appropriate to ensure consistency
with this Land Use Element and
designations shown on the Land Use
Map (Figure LU-1). As part of the
update, address the following items:
a. Amend the Zoning Ordinance
to include new mixed-use
zones and associated
development standards and
land use regulations, to
implement the MU30, MU40,
and MU70 land use
designations and reflect the
development densities and
intensities of each designation.

Moreover, amend the Zoning

LAND USE
LU-16 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Map to apply the new zones to
specific parcels within the city.
b. Reevaluate the permitted uses
in the Downtown, Commercial
(D-C) zone to ensure reflection
of the mix of retail,
commercial, restaurant, office,
service, etc. uses desired by the
community for the downtown.
c. Ensure adherence to minimum
lot sizes for new mixed-use
developments.
d. Develop a lot consolidation
program to incentivize small lot
consolidation into developable
parcels. Incentives may include
a menu of options, such as
reductions to required
setbacks, an increase in
maximum allowed height, a
decrease in minimum dwelling
unit size, and a reduction in
parking requirements.

LU-1b Review the Zoning Ordinance and
update as appropriate to reflect the
goals, policies, and implementation
actions included in this General Plan.

LU-1c Develop a quantitative methodology
for a desired land use mix to meet
current and future needs, increase
regional competitiveness, and
maintain a fiscally responsible mix of
residential and nonresidential
development. Monitor development
activity on an annual basis and
devise strategies, as necessary, to
achieve the desired land use mix.

LU-1d Establish in lieu fees or provisions for
granting development incentives
such as building height and
development intensity when projects
provide community benefits,
including, but not limited to,
payment of community benefits fee,
publicly accessible open
space/parks, additional affordable
housing, public art, infrastructure
improvements beyond those
required for the development, and
other amenities.

LU-1e Initiate a coordinated process to
regularly review and adjust
population assumptions and
forecasts in conjunction with the
California Department of Finance,
Southern California Association of
Governments (SCAG), and the
County of Los Angeles in order to
adequately plan for growth,
including jobs-housing balance
projections.

LAND USE
LU-17 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL LU-2
When making land use decisions in the city, it is
important to consider relationships between different
types of land uses. At the most basic level, new
development should be compatible with surrounding
uses to minimize potential conflicts or nuisances. The
guiding principle, however, is that new development
projects should be complementary, with each use
benefiting the other. Successful integration of land
uses not only reduces conflicts, but maximizes
productive use of the land, improves connectivity, and
allows for a more efficient provision of public
infrastructure and services. The goal intends to take a comprehensive approach to land development that
will result in a community where new growth
sensitively integrates with existing development,
including residential neighborhoods, and improves
quality of life in Lomita.

LU-2 Policies
LU-2.1 Corridor Revitalization. Revitalize the city’s
main corridors by promoting a diverse mix of
complementary uses, including retail, office,
residential, and other compatible uses, that
serve as focal points of the community and
foster neighborhood identity and vitality.

LU-2.2 Compatible Uses. Require compatibility
between adjacent land uses to enhance
livability and promote healthy lifestyles.

Comprehensive Land Development
New development is economically and
environmentally sustainable, improves
quality of life, and complements our
existing community.

LAND USE
LU-18 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
LU-2.3 Development Tradeoffs. Ensure
that new development projects
provide a net community benefit,
economically or qualitatively.

LU-2.4 Residential Neighborhoods.

Protect established residential
neighborhoods by requiring new
development to be sensitive to low
density housing, including through
appropriate building massing and
scale, and to minimize impacts
related to the operation of the use.

LU-2.5 Mixed-Use Design Integration.

Require residential and
nonresidential portions of mixed-use
buildings and sites to be wellintegrated through site and building design that ensures compatibility
among different uses on the same
site.

LU-2.6 Comprehensive Land Use Analysis.

Pursue a balance of fiscal and
qualitative community benefits when
making land use decisions.

LU-2.7 Flexible Standards. Allow and
attract innovative and emerging
businesses through flexible use and
zoning requirements.

LU-2.8 Enforcement of Standards.

Continue to strengthen a robust and
proactive code enforcement
program that partners with
community stakeholders and is
responsive to community needs.

LU-2.9 Multi-Jurisdictional Coordination.

Coordinate with neighboring
jurisdictions to address land use
compatibility within areas
surrounding Lomita, including, but
not limited to, flight-related issues
(from Torrance Municipal Airport)
and hillside development.

LU-2 Actions
LU-2a Require the first floor street frontage
of buildings, including parking
structures, to incorporate
commercial or other active public
uses to enhance pedestrian
orientation along commercial and
mixed-use corridors.

LU-2b Analyze land use compatibility
through the development review
process to require adequate buffers
and/or architectural enhancements
that protect sensitive receptors (e.g.,
residences, schools, day care
centers, hospitals, nursing homes)
from intrusion of development
activities that may cause unwanted
nuisances and health risks.

LU-2c Consider establishing a program to
encourage the redevelopment of
underutilized and non-conforming
properties. This could include, but is
not limited to, the following:
a. Work with stakeholders to
develop and maintain a list of
potential infill and
redevelopment sites;
b. Evaluate potential incentives to
promote infill and
redevelopment;
c. Review and amend the Zoning
Ordinance, as needed, to
remove barriers to infill and

LAND USE
LU-19 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
redevelopment and to
incorporate flexibility in
standards, where appropriate;
and
d. Target public infrastructure
investments to designated
areas and proactively support
private investment in these
areas.

LU-2d Require new developments meeting
specified thresholds to provide a
minimum amount of open space,
public art, and/or other community
benefits, or otherwise pay an in lieu
fee for the City to make
improvements elsewhere in Lomita.

LU-2e Ensure all projects are reviewed and
processed per the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Guidelines.

LU-2f During development reviews, ensure
design of right-of-way and adjacent
right-of-way per City plans and
explore requiring right-of-way
standards as a condition of approval
for other entitlements.

LU-2g Explore codifying street tree
requirements, including spacing,
berm width, and appropriate
species, both understory and
overstory.

LAND USE
LU-20 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL LU-3
Urban form reflects the structural elements of a city
and the general pattern of development intensity and
building height. It encompasses a city’s natural
features, buildings, transportation corridors, open
space, public facilities, as well as activity centers and focal elements. Placemaking is the process of creating
quality places where people want to live, work, play,
and learn. As Lomita grows, new development should
contribute to a “sense of place” that is connected,
active, sociable, and welcoming. This goal advances a
people-centric vision of Lomita that enhances the city’s urban form and contributes to the community’s quality
of life, economic vitality, and character.

LU-3 Policies
Memorable Places. Elevate the quality of
public and private design to enhance
Lomita’s local identity and create a more
vibrant, livable, walkable, and sustainable
city.

Local Identity. Promote imaginative and
distinctive building and site design features,
such as entry monuments, public art,
decorative landscaping, wayfinding signage,
and architectural elements that project
Lomita’s positive image and community
character at key locations and city gateways.

Urban Form and Placemaking
Maintain a distinctive and authentic
sense of place.

LAND USE
LU-21 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Older Neighborhoods and
Businesses. Facilitate the
rehabilitation of older residential
neighborhoods and commercial
properties to prevent blight and
maintain the quality of the built
environment.

Promote the City’s Image.

Encourage land uses, development
projects, and design features that
promote the city’s image as a
forward-thinking, supportive, and
business-friendly community.

Preserve Neighborhood
Character. Preserve the character
and uniqueness of existing
residential neighborhoods.

Active Streetscapes. Create safe,
inviting, and beautiful streetscapes
that facilitate social interaction and
improve active transportation along
corridors.

Community-Oriented Downtown.

Celebrate the small-town feel of
Downtown Lomita through
innovative policy and design
solutions that reinforce Downtown
as the focal point of the community,
including through targeted
investment, pedestrian-scaled
design, and cultural programming.

Public Gathering Spaces. Support
the provision of attractive public
gathering spaces and encourage
community-wide events
programming within these spaces to
strengthen social engagement and
provide visual relief throughout the
city.

Visual Clutter. Promote the
beautification, accessibility, and
safety of the city and streetscape
through the undergrounding of
utility lines and aboveground
equipment.

Public Art. Actively encourage
private developers to contribute to
the cultural and economic health of
the community through
incorporation of public art.

LU-3 Actions
LU-3a Design and implement a citywide
branding program that supports a
cohesive identity for Lomita and
attract investment in the community.

The program could include design
features such as monuments at key
gateways and entry points,
pedestrian-scaled wayfinding
signage in the downtown, public art
installations, and a coordinated and
enhanced online and social media
presence.

LU-3b Encourage land use decisions and
design features for development or
redevelopment in Downtown Lomita
that:
a. Enhance and restore historical
resources;
b. Are compatible with and
complementary to the smalltown feel of the downtown;

LAND USE
LU-22 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
c. Provide thoughtful solutions to
the existing lack of parking;
d. Provide pedestrian-oriented
amenities such as sidewalks,
street furniture, parklets, and
plazas; and
e. Increase landscaping for
shading, beautification,
stormwater control, and
screening.

LU-3c Maintain and install new street trees,
plantings, furniture, signage, public
art, and other amenities that
encourage pedestrian activity along
commercial and mixed-use
corridors.

LAND USE
LU-23 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL LU-4
Infrastructure provides the physical and organizational means of production and distribution for essential
services required for community function. The City
actively plans for the provision and financing of
infrastructure and services to maintain quality of life, which requires coordination with many public and
private partners that provide essential public goods
and services throughout the community. The goal
reflects the City’s commitment to providing efficient,
equitable, and reliable infrastructure and services to
current and future residents and businesses in Lomita.

LU-4 Policies
LU-4.1 Capital Improvements. Coordinate capital
improvement projects and prioritize
infrastructure investments that best meet
the city’s most critical needs and add value to
the community.

LU-4.2 Fair Share. Require that new development
pays its fair share towards providing
necessary improvements to public facilities
and infrastructure in the city.

LU-4.3 Public Facility Plans. Maintain and
implement public facility master plans, in
collaboration with appropriate regional,
state, and federal laws, to identify
infrastructure needs and funding sources,
and to implement improvements for public
facilities and services in Lomita.

Infrastructure and Services
Provide efficient, equitable, and
reliable infrastructure and services to
support existing and potential future
development.

LAND USE
LU-24 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
LU-4.4 Smart Cities. Employ “smart cities”
planning principles and technologies
that improve service quality and
process efficiency and more
effectively engage and empower
stakeholders.

LU-4.5 Community Benefit. Collaborate
with community stakeholders to
expand recreational, educational,
and cultural opportunities, including
through cost-sharing agreements,
joint use of facilities, or acquisition.

LU-4.6 Equitable Distribution. Ensure
public services and facilities reflect
changing population needs and are
equitably distributed and accessible,
with priority assigned to
underserved areas.

LU-4.7 Sustainable and Resilient
Practices. Support public facility and
capital improvement site design and
building practices that promote
sustainability, energy efficiency, and
resiliency.

LU-4.8 Regional Services Providers. Grow
and maintain relationships with the
various regional facility and service
providers to deliver high levels of
service within Lomita, and to plan for
new development.

LU-4 Actions
LU-4a Establish a funding prioritization
scoring process in conjunction with
annual Capital Improvement Plan
(CIP) updates to prioritize unfunded
infrastructure projects.

LU-4b When community-desired facilities
and services are beyond the City’s
financial resources to provide,
support community-driven efforts to
establish special funding and
financing districts, such as
assessment districts, landscape and
lighting maintenance districts,
business improvement districts, or
community facilities districts,
whether citywide or limited to a
defined neighborhood, district, or
corridor.

LU-4c Coordinate regular meetings with
outside agency staff to maintain
relationships and expand
opportunities for improved service
delivery.

LAND USE
LU-25 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL LU-5
A healthy community has access to high-quality goods
and services, such as healthy food, medical care,
fitness centers, and recreational facilities; has low
exposure to pollution, including hazardous materials
and poor air and water quality; and provides ample
opportunities for citizen involvement in decisionmaking processes. This goal seeks to improve the health and well-being of all residents through
appropriate land uses, policies, programs, and
environmental review.

LU-5 Policies
LU-5.1 Health and Well-being. Consider the effects
of land use planning decisions on the overall
health and well-being of the community and
its residents.

LU-5.2 Healthy Neighborhoods. Support the
creation of healthy and safe neighborhoods
by: proactively addressing land use conflicts
and incompatible uses; promoting land use
patterns that are well connected, reduce
vehicle trips, and encourage active
transportation; and designing public spaces
that are comfortable, welcoming, and feel
safe to all.

LU-5.3 Active Transportation. Promote land use
patterns that facilitate active transportation
to encourage healthy and active lifestyles
and improve overall physical health for
residents.

Community Health & Wellness
Emphasize health and well-being.

LAND USE
LU-26 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
LU-5.4 Physical Activity. Increase the
availability of space and activities
that promote community health and
physical activity such as parks and
recreation facilities, community
gardens, and safe pedestrian
infrastructure.

LU-5.5 Greenspace Benefits. Promote tree
planting, tree preservation, and
drought tolerant landscaping as a
means of improving public health
and providing other environmental
and economic benefits. (See Resource
Management Action RM-1h for a
related implementation action
connected to Greenspace Benefits.)
LU-5.6 Food Systems. Promote the
development of uses that support
healthy and sustainable local food
systems, including grocery stores,
food cooperatives, farmers’ markets,
community gardens, and contextsensitive urban agriculture.

LU-5.7 Expanded Private Offerings.

Promote the development and use
of privately-owned properties that
meet community needs for
recreation, health, wellness, and art
and culture.

LU-5.8 Support Local Schools. Strengthen
partnerships between the City of
Lomita and Los Angeles Unified
School District by expanding
collaborative efforts (e.g., through
joint-use agreements, grant funding,
and planning efforts) to promote
safe, supportive, and effective
learning environments that foster
school and community pride.

LU-5.9 Community Input. Engage
residents with meaningful and
effective public participation to
provide input and involve them in the
decision-making process for
community facility improvements
and programming.

LU-5 Actions
LU-5a Create and maintain an inventory of
the city’s pedestrian facilities such
as sidewalks, street crossings,
lighting, shade trees, and benches,
in order to improve pedestrian
mobility in all areas of the city.

LU-5b Support and work with the Los
Angeles Unified School District
(LAUSD), and in particular, Lomita
Magnet Elementary School,
Eshelman Avenue Elementary
School, Fleming Middle School, and
Narbonne High School, through
actions that include, but are not
limited to:
a. Establish a cooperative working
relationship and proactively partner
with LAUSD and other communitybased organizations in order to increase efficiency of local school
services and joint facilities use.
b. Develop and implement a campaign
designed to improve public
perception of LAUSD within Lomita
including consistent promotion of
positive aspects of LAUSD schools in
Lomita.
c. Widely recognize and celebrate
students and faculty within LAUSD in
recognition of outstanding
achievements.

LAND USE
LU-27 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Implementation Matrix
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
LU-1a(a): Update the City’s
Zoning Ordinance (Title XI,
Chapter 1 of the Lomita
Municipal Code) and Zoning Map
as appropriate to ensure
consistency with this Land Use
Element and designations shown
on the Land Use Map (Figure LU1). As part of the update, address the following items:

Amend the Zoning Ordinance
to include new mixed-use
zones and associated
development standards and
land use regulations, to
implement the MU30, MU40,
and MU70 land use
designations and reflect the
development densities and
intensities of each
designation. Moreover,
amend the Zoning Map to
apply the new zones to
specific parcels within the city.

LU-1 ▲
Ordinance/
Code
Amendment
Community &
Economic
Development
LU-1a(b): Reevaluate the
permitted uses in the
Downtown, Commercial (D-C)
zone to ensure reflection of
the mix of retail, commercial,
restaurant, office, service, etc.
uses desired by the
community for the
downtown.

LU-1 ▲ Study
Community &
Economic
Development
LU-1a(c): Ensure adherence
to minimum lot sizes for new
mixed-use developments.

LU-1 Procedure
Community &
Economic
Development
Timeframes will
be represented
with the following
symbols:

Short-term
1-5 years
▲
Medium-term
5-10 years
▲▲
Long-term
10+ years
▲▲▲
On-going

LAND USE
LU-28 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
LU-1a(d): Develop a lot
consolidation program to
incentivize small lot
consolidation into
developable parcels.

Incentives may include a
menu of options, such as
reductions to required
setbacks, an increase in
maximum allowed height, a
decrease in minimum
dwelling unit size, and a
reduction in parking
requirements.

LU-1 ▲
Program,
Ordinance/
Code
Amendment
Community &
Economic
Development
LU-1b: Review the Zoning
Ordinance and update as
appropriate to reflect the goals,
policies, and implementation
actions included in this General
Plan.

LU-1 ▲
Ordinance/
Code
Amendment
Community &
Economic
Development
LU-1c: Develop a quantitative
methodology for a desired land
use mix to meet current and
future needs, increase regional
competitiveness, and maintain a
fiscally responsible mix of
residential and nonresidential
development. Monitor
development activity on an
annual basis and devise
strategies, as necessary, to
achieve the desired land use mix.

LU-1 ▲▲ Study,
Program
Community &
Economic
Development
LU-1d: Establish in lieu fees or
provisions for granting
development incentives such as
building height and development
intensity when projects provide
community benefits, including,
but not limited to, payment of
community benefits fee, publicly
accessible open space/parks,
LU-1 ▲ Program
City Manager’s
Office,
Community &
Economic
Development

LAND USE
LU-29 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
additional affordable housing,
public art, infrastructure
improvements beyond those
required for the development,
and other amenities.

LU-1e: Initiate a coordinated
process to regularly review and
adjust population assumptions
and forecasts in conjunction with
the California Department of
Finance, Southern California
Association of Governments
(SCAG), and the County of Los
Angeles in order to adequately
plan for growth, including jobshousing balance projections.

LU-1 ▲▲ Study,
Program
Community &
Economic
Development
LU-2a: Require the first floor
street frontage of buildings,
including parking structures, to
incorporate commercial or other
active public uses to enhance
pedestrian orientation along
commercial and mixed-use
corridors.

LU-2 ▲
Ordinance/
Code
Amendment
Community &
Economic
Development
LU-2b: Analyze land use
compatibility through the
development review process to
require adequate buffers and/or
architectural enhancements that
protect sensitive receptors (e.g.,
residences, schools, day care
centers, hospitals, nursing
homes) from intrusion of
development activities that may
cause unwanted nuisances and
health risks.

LU-2 Procedure
Community &
Economic
Development
LU-2c(a): Consider establishing a
program to encourage the
redevelopment of underutilized
LU-2 ▲ Program
Community &
Economic
Development

LAND USE
LU-30 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
and non-conforming properties.

This could include, but is not
limited to, the following:

Work with stakeholders to
develop and maintain a list
of potential infill and
redevelopment sites;
LU-2c(b): Evaluate potential
incentives to promote infill
and redevelopment;
LU-2 ▲ Study
Community &
Economic
Development
LU-2c(c): Review and amend
the Zoning Ordinance, as
needed, to remove barriers
to infill and redevelopment
and to incorporate flexibility
in standards, where
appropriate; and
LU-2 ▲
Ordinance/
Code
Amendment
Community &
Economic
Development
LU-2c(d): Target public
infrastructure investments to
designated areas and
proactively support private
investment in these areas.

LU-2 ▲▲
Capital
Improvement
Plan
Public Works,
Community &
Economic
Development
LU-2d: Require new
developments meeting specified
thresholds to provide a minimum
amount of open space, public art,
and/or other community benefits,
or otherwise pay an in lieu fee for
the City to make improvements
elsewhere in Lomita.

LU-2 ▲
Ordinance/
Code
Amendment,
Program
City Manager’s
Office,
Community &
Economic
Development
LU-2e: Ensure all projects are
reviewed and processed per the
California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) Guidelines.

LU-2 Procedure
Community &
Economic
Development

LAND USE
LU-31 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
LU-2f: During development
reviews, ensure design of rightof-way and adjacent right-of-way per City plans and explore
requiring right-of-way standards
as a condition of approval for
other entitlements.

LU-2 Procedure Public Works
LU-2g: Explore codifying street
tree requirements, including
spacing, berm width, and
appropriate species, both
understory and overstory.

LU-2 ▲▲ Study Public Works
LU-3a: Design and implement a
citywide branding program that
supports a cohesive identity for
Lomita and attract investment in
the community. The program
could include design features
such as monuments at key
gateways and entry points,
pedestrian-scaled wayfinding
signage in the downtown, public
art installations, and a
coordinated and enhanced online
and social media presence.

LU-3 ▲▲ Program
City Manager’s
Office,
Community &
Economic
Development
LU-3b(a): Encourage land use
decisions and design features for
development or redevelopment
in Downtown Lomita that:

Enhance and restore
historical resources;
LU-3b(b): Are compatible
with and complementary to
the small-town feel of the
downtown;
LU-3b(c): Provide thoughtful
solutions to the existing lack
of parking;
LU-3 Procedure
Community &
Economic
Development

LAND USE
LU-32 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
LU-3b(d): Provide
pedestrian-oriented
amenities such as sidewalks,
street furniture, parklets, and
plazas; and
LU-3b(e): Increase
landscaping for shading,
beautification, stormwater
control, and screening.

LU-3c: Maintain and install new
street trees, plantings, furniture,
signage, public art, and other
amenities that encourage
pedestrian activity along
commercial and mixed-use
corridors.

LU-3 ▲
Capital
Improvement
Plan
Public Works,
Community &
Economic
Development
LU-4a: Establish a funding
prioritization scoring process in
conjunction with annual Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP) updates
to prioritize unfunded
infrastructure projects.

LU-4 ▲ Program
City Manager’s
Office, Public
Works
LU-4b: When community-desired
facilities and services are beyond
the City’s financial resources to
provide, support communitydriven efforts to establish special funding and financing districts,
such as assessment districts,
landscape and lighting
maintenance districts, business
improvement districts, or
community facilities districts,
whether citywide or limited to a
defined neighborhood, district, or
corridor.

LU-4 ▲▲ Program
City Manager’s
Office, Public
Works

LAND USE
LU-33 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
LU-4c: Coordinate regular
meetings with outside agency
staff to maintain relationships
and expand opportunities for
improved service delivery.

LU-4 ▲ Program
Community &
Economic
Development
LU-5a: Create and maintain an
inventory of the city’s pedestrian
facilities such as sidewalks, street
crossings, lighting, shade trees,
and benches, in order to improve
pedestrian mobility in all areas of
the city.

LU-5 ▲▲ Program
Public Works,
Community &
Economic
Development
LU-5b(a): Support and work with
the Los Angeles Unified School
District (LAUSD), and in particular,
Lomita Magnet Elementary
School, Eshelman Avenue
Elementary School, Fleming
Middle School, and Narbonne
High School, through actions that
include, but are not limited to:

Establish a cooperative
working relationship and
proactively partner with
LAUSD and other
community-based
organizations in order to
increase efficiency of local
school services and joint
facilities use.

LU-5 ▲▲ Partnership
City Manager’s
Office, Parks &
Recreation
LU-5b(b): Develop and
implement a campaign
designed to improve public
perception of LAUSD within
Lomita including consistent
promotion of positive
aspects of LAUSD schools in
Lomita.

LU-5 ▲▲ Partnership
City Manager’s
Office,
Community &
Economic
Development

LAND USE
LU-34 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
LU-5b(c): Widely recognize
and celebrate students and
faculty within LAUSD in
recognition of outstanding
achievements.

LU-5 ▲▲ Partnership City Manager’s
Office

MOBILITY
2024

MOBILITY
M-2 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
This page intentionally left blank.

MOBILITY
M-3 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN

INTRODUCTION TO MOBILITY
The City of Lomita consists of approximately 32.5
miles of roadway within an area of 1.91 square
miles. The cities of Los Angeles, Torrance, Rolling
Hills Estates, and Rancho Palos Verdes all border
Lomita, connected by a vast network of roadways.

The Mobility Element provides the framework for
decisions concerning the city’s multimodal
transportation system, which includes all users of
streets, roads, and highways, including bicyclists,
children, persons with disabilities, motorists,
movers of commercial goods, pedestrians, and
users of public transportation, plus goods
movement and parking. The Mobility Element
provides for coordination with the Los Angeles
County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
(Metro), which serves as the coordinating agency
for transportation funding for Los Angeles County.

State law (California Government Code Section
65302(b)) mandates that the Mobility Element
contain the general location and extent of existing
and proposed major thoroughfares,
transportation routes, terminals, military airports
and ports, and other public utilities and facilities, to the extent these items exist in the planning area.

The Mobility Element reflects the City’s desire to
provide complete street, bicycle, and pedestrian
facilities to serve residents, employees, and visitors
of Lomita. The city’s transportation infrastructure
is included as a main component for mobility, and
is impacted by growing developments, population,
business, recreational activities, and more. This
element incorporates policies and actions that will
maintain and/or improve safety, walkability, and
connectivity within and through Lomita,
accommodating the City’s expectations for
economic growth.

Organization of Element
The Mobility Element addresses each
of the topics below, around which the
goals and policies of this element are
organized.
o Local Circulation System
o Regional Circulation
o Complete Streets
o Parking
o Transit
o Active Transportation
o Goods Movement
o Funding
o Transportation Management
“The Mobility
Element provides
the framework for
decisions
concerning the
city’s multimodal
transportation
system.”
The City of Lomita has
approximately 32.5
miles of roadway within
its 1.91 square mile
area.

MOBILITY
M-4 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Roadway Classification
Figure M-1 depicts Lomita’s Local Transportation Network and presents the roadway Functional Classifications. These are defined by the vehicle volume and number of vehicular lanes provided, and may include other features such as raised medians, center turn lanes, on-street parking, and bike lanes. The City defines its roadway Functional Classifications as follows:

Principle Arterials serve as high-capacity inter-city thoroughfares and generally carry the majority of traffic traveling through the city and provide regional travel. The primary function is to move vehicles. Principal Arterials are designed to carry high traffic volumes at higher speeds and consist of four to six travel lanes (two to three in each direction) and a raised or painted median with a center turn lane. Typical posted speeds may range from 35 to 45 miles per hour. Designated Principal Arterials in Lomita include Pacific Coast Highway, Lomita Boulevard, Crenshaw Boulevard, Western Avenue, and Palos Verdes Drive North.

Principle Arterials
Minor Arterials provide for traffic movement across the city, as well as shorter distance local intra-city traffic movement. This classification of roadway generally provides greater access to abutting land uses compared to Principal Arterials and consist of two to four travel lanes (one to two in each direction) and a painted median that may have a center turn lane. Minor Arterials generally carry lower traffic volumes than Principal Arterials. Narbonne Avenue and Eshelman Avenue are the only designated Minor Arterials in Lomita. Typical posted speeds may range from 25 to 35 miles per hour.

Minor Arterials
Collectors are intended to carry low to moderate capacity traffic between the Arterial Street network and Local Streets. The roadway classification serves commercial, residential, or public uses, consists of two travel lanes (one in each direction), and is undivided (with or without centerline striping). Typical posted speeds may range from 25 to 35 miles per hour. Designated Collector Streets in Lomita include 250th, 255th, and 262nd Streets (east-west collectors), as well as Walnut Avenue and Ebony Street (north-south collectors).

Collectors
Local Streets provide intra-city direct access and parking to adjacent land uses. Local Streets are not intended to serve through-traffic. The design typically consists of two travel lanes (one in each direction) with an undivided roadway (with or without centerline striping). Prima facie speed for Local Streets is 25 miles per hour.

Local Streets
To rra nce
Alta":

Loma :

LEGEND
Q Schools - Principal Arterial
Minor Arterial - Collector
Parks
c::::J Lomita City Boundary
: -----: Other Incorporated Area
_D_e_N_o_,o_Pl_,_,,._,i�ng�G_,o_�n p_11■■■■
A Lu,d lh.- Pl.u,ning, 0.-•ign, .md E11,·iro1uu.-ut.1I Fir,u Prepared for the City of Lomita by Kittelson & Associates, Inc.

Sources: Los Angeles County GJS; Ca IT rans.
7 Ro I Ii n g
E s t a
I
Hi 11 s
t e s /
G
====II Lomito Park
.W•k0mita Blvd
D
n c h o
P a I o s V e r d e s
Roadway Classifications Map

MOBILITY
M-6 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
This page intentionally left blank.

MOBILITY
M-7 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL M-1
The circulation system includes a hierarchy of
roadways, sidewalks, bicycle paths, and off-street
paths that serve mobility and local access needs for
those who live in, work in, or visit Lomita. The
circulation system allows individuals to travel safely
and conveniently to, from, and through the city by
vehicle, transit, bicycle, foot, and other methods.

M-1 Policies
M-1.1 Arterial Roadway Network. Implement
and maintain the roadway network based on
the classifications mapped in Figure M-1.

M-1.2 Vehicle Level of Service (LOS). Maintain
vehicular LOS “D” along major city
intersections (two principal arterials
intersecting) whenever possible. Certain
intersections may be exempt from the LOS
“D” target as judged on a case-by-case basis
determined by right-of-way constraints,
community goals, and complete street
objectives.

M-1.3 Traffic System Management. Facilitate the
efficient movement of vehicles and minimize
delay utilizing existing roadway facilities.

Local Circulation System
A community served by a safe and
balanced circulation system that meets
the needs of all users.

MOBILITY
M-8 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
M-1.4 Development-Related Traffic
Impacts. Impose conditions on new
development to provide appropriate
and feasible improvements to
enhance and/or prevent any
impediment to traffic flow, parking,
ADA accessibility, and roadway
operations.

M-1.5 Effects of New Technologies on
Traffic Flow. Maximize technologies
and services including dial-a-ride
services such as Uber and Lyft,
autonomous vehicles, electric
bicycles, scooters, and other mobility
devices, without adversely affecting
the city’s transportation network,
such as added traffic on roads and
sidewalks.

M-1.6 Promote Safe Streets. Use a safe
systems approach for transportation
planning, street design, operations,
emergency response, and
maintenance that proactively
identifies opportunities to improve
safety where conflicts between users
exist to eliminate traffic fatalities and
serious injuries in our roadways.

M-1.7 Traffic Calming on Local Streets.

Use traffic calming strategies such as
signage, speed radar feedback signs,
curb extensions, and deflections, as
recommended in the City’s Traffic
Calming Toolkit, to create a
pedestrian-friendly circulation
system and promote safety, while
not reducing parking supply.

M-1.8 Transportation Demand
Management. Encourage the
preparation of Transportation
Demand Management plans for all
major developments or facility
expansions to encourage ridesharing and other improvements, thereby reducing vehicle trips.

M-1.9 New Connections. Explore new
connections within the grid system,
either non-vehicular or vehicular.

M-1 Actions
M-1a As funding for studies becomes
available, periodically review and
assess the vehicular level of service
along city roadways to determine
what, if any, improvements are
warranted to maintain a safe and
efficient flow of traffic throughout
Lomita. Based on a thorough review
of roadway operations and funding
availability, improvements should be
included in the City’s Capital
Improvement Plan and/or required
as part of project approval through
the development review process.

M-1b Continue to update and implement
projects in the City’s Capital
Improvement Plan to maintain and
repair roadways and construct and
improve roadways to build out the
roadway network to ensure
adequate levels of service.

M-1c As part of the development review
conditions of approval process,
require new developments to
construct all feasible roadway and
intersection improvements
warranted by the new development
or pay appropriate fair share and
impact fees towards required
improvements identified through

MOBILITY
M-9 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
traffic impact studies reviewed by
the City Engineer or his/her
designated representative.

M-1d Evaluate impact and capacity fees to
ensure fees collected cover City
expenses for development impacts.

M-1e Monitor the development of new
mobility technologies and the
potential local effects on vehicular,
bicycle, pedestrian, and transit
facilities and operations, and seek
funding to invest in associated
infrastructure and technologies such
as Traffic System Management (TSM)
and traffic signal synchronization.

M-1f Evaluate the applicability of traffic
calming tools to minimize cutthrough traffic on local streets, especially in residential areas and
near schools, and implement
improvements as necessary.

M-1g Enact requirements or incentives for
curb cut consolidation to improve
intermodal safety and expand the
amount of available on-street
parking.

M-1h Work with the City of Torrance to
create a new connection from the
city to Crenshaw Boulevard. This can
be any combination of modes of
transportation and could occur at
250th Street with potential
nonvehicular connections at 246th
Street and/or 256th Street.

MOBILITY
M-10 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL M-2
M-2 Policies
M-2.1 Agency Coordination. Coordinate
with neighboring cities,
transportation providers, and
regional agencies such as Caltrans,
the County of Los Angeles, South Bay
Cities Council of Governments, and
Metro to meet the mobility needs of
people living in, working in, or visiting
Lomita.

M-2.2 Facility Connections. Plan and
implement vehicular facilities,
roadway treatments, active
transportation facilities, transit
routes, and goods movement
network to relate to those in
neighboring jurisdictions.

M-2.3 Local Facility Utilization.

Discourage pass-through traffic and
the use of local streets by nonresidents and users not doing business in Lomita by reducing
speeds on local Lomita streets.

M-2 Actions
M-2a Participate in regional planning
forums to ensure that the City’s
concerns are considered at the
regional level.

M-2b Advocate for the completion of
planned regional transportation
projects that would improve traffic
conditions on city streets.

M-2c Monitor land use, circulation
planning, and development review of
neighboring jurisdictions so that the
City may recommend consideration
of project impacts to Lomita.

M-2d Implement traffic calming measures
to discourage pass-through traffic on
local streets and to mitigate noise.

Regional Circulation
A city that facilities the movement of
people, services, and goods between
neighboring jurisdictions to promote
consistent and efficient regional
circulation.

The circulation system includes a
comprehensive network of roadways that
provide regional connections for people
and for goods movement. Since regionally
significant connections serve
transportation needs for people across the
county and beyond, facilities require
planning and maintenance in coordination
with other agencies.

MOBILITY
M-11 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL M-3
Complete streets are designed to provide safe travel
for everyone – people driving, riding transit, walking, biking, or using any other means of travel. Planning for and designing complete streets starts with policies that promote consideration for all users within all facility types.

M-3 Policies
Complete Streets for Roadway Projects.

Apply complete streets principles to all
transportation improvement projects (e.g.,
safety, intelligent transportation systems,
pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities) to
accommodate the needs of street users of all
ages and abilities.

Multimodal Connectivity. Link activity
centers, employment centers, public
facilities, and schools to transit and active
transportation facilities.

Streetscape Improvements. Require
roadway, sidewalk, and median
improvements that enhance the visual
character of the roadway system and
promote pedestrian and bicycle safety,
including street lighting, wayfinding, street
trees, curb cut consolidation, and other
nonvehicular infrastructure.

Complete Streets
A community with a well-designed and
built transportation network that is
safe, accessible, comfortable, and
convenient for all transportation
modes and users.

MOBILITY
M-12 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Traffic Calming on Residential
Streets. Encourage traffic calming
strategies and incorporation of
traffic calming design in residential
areas to slow traffic and promote
safety.

ADA Accessibility. Implement a
transportation network that is safe,
accessible, and consistent with the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
to allow mobility-impaired users,
such as disabled persons and
seniors, to safely travel within the
city.

Safe Routes to School. Provide
infrastructure improvements,
enforcement, and incentives to
support Safe Routes to School
programs and promote walking and
bicycling to local schools.

Right-of-Way Design. Ensure the
City fully utilizes legal right-of-way to
provide space for an appropriate mix
of streetscape elements.

M-3 Actions
M-3a When planning roadway facilities,
incorporate the concept of complete
streets while considering the land
use and design context of the
surrounding areas.

M-3b Periodically review and update the
City’s Right-of-Way Standards to
ensure that the standards reflect the
City’s goals and policies for the
circulation system.

M-3c Partner with Lomita school
administrators to improve traffic and
parking conditions in school areas,
especially during school drop-off and
pick-up periods.

M-3d Develop strategies and guidelines to
set curb use priorities that consider
the needs of through traffic, transit
stops, bus turnouts, passenger dropoff/pick-up, deliveries, and shortterm/long-term parking, especially along major corridors.

M-3e Comply with ADA requirements and
design projects to remove physical
barriers to accessibility in
transportation systems and facilities
for people with disabilities.

M-3f During development reviews, ensure
that the City Engineer reviews the
design of right-of-way and adjacent
right-of-way per City plans and
require established right-of-way
standards as a condition of approval
for other entitlements.

M-3g Explore codifying street tree
requirements, including spacing,
berm width, and appropriate
species, both understory and
overstory.

MOBILITY
M-13 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL M-4
Adequate off- and on-street parking is necessary to
accommodate people who rely upon vehicles to travel
to homes, businesses, recreation, and other uses.

Effectively planning for and managing both public and
private parking supply provides a balance between
meeting demand and efficiently using space.

M-4 Policies
M-4.1 New Development Parking Supply. Ensure
new residential and non-residential
developments provide adequate parking
supply to meet demand and reduce spillover
to surrounding areas, including electric
vehicle charging stations and bicycle or other
micromobility parking.

M-4.2 Effects of New Technologies on Parking
Demand. Monitor the development of new
mobility technologies and the potential
effects on parking demand and curbside use.

Parking and Curbside Management
A community with an adequate
parking supply to support business
vibrancy and a high quality of life with
strategies such as curb management
to support safe and convenient
parking for residents and businesses.

MOBILITY
M-14 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
M-4.3 Parking Demand and Supply
Trends. Monitor trends in the region
pertaining to reduced parking
demand for transit-oriented
developments, mixed-use
developments, and other high
activity areas and the allocation of
parking for shared vehicles,
alternative energy vehicles, bicycles,
micromobility, and other modes of
transportation.

M-4.4 Shared Parking. Encourage new and
existing developments, especially
those in mixed-use districts, to share
parking between uses to maximize
the existing parking supply, minimize
the amount of new parking
construction, and encourage “park
once” behavior in commercial areas.

M-4.5 Bicycle Parking. Require the
provision of bicycle parking as part of
new private developments.

M-4.6 Curbside Management. Balance the
need for curbside users generated
by transit boarding, emergency
vehicle access, Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) access, bicycles,
bicycle infrastructure, taxis,
transportation network companies
(TNCs), and delivery vehicles.

M-4.7 Minimum Parking. Reevaluate the
parking and loading standards to
ensure effective parking and efficient
use of land. The parking standards
should adapt to changing
transportation and economic trends
and encourage more walking, biking,
or taking transit (vs. driving) thereby
decreasing climate pollution.

M-4 Actions
M-4a Maintain and enforce City parking
regulations as set by the Municipal
Code.

M-4b Periodically review the City’s parking
code to address new types and
patterns of development and new
technologies which may have an
impact on parking supply and/or
demand in Lomita.

M-4c Maintain and manage the parking
supply to ensure efficient and safe
utilization through the employment
of parking management strategies,
such as shared parking in mixed-use
areas, and explore preferential
parking districts in residential areas.

M-4d Install safe, useful, and convenient
short- and long-term bicycle parking
facilities in the public right-of-way or
near key destinations, City facilities,
and transit facilities.

MOBILITY
M-15 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL M-5
M-5 Policies
M-5.1 Transit Use. Support programs
encouraging public transit use by
people living in, working in, or visiting
Lomita.

M-5.2 Improve Local Public Transit
Service. Work with Metro, Torrance
Transit, and other local public transit
providers to plan and improve local
transit service and transit facilities,
including bus stops, in the city.

M-5.3 Transit Facilities. Require new
developments to construct, when
appropriate, transit facilities,
including bus turn-outs, bus stop
infrastructure, and route
information signage.

M-5.4 Effects of New Technologies on
Transit Use. Monitor the
development of new mobility
technologies and the potential
effects on transit demand and how
users access public transit.

M-5 Actions
M-5a Continue on-going coordination with
transit authorities toward the
expansion of transit facilities.

M-5b Work with transit providers to
increase transit service frequency,
speed, and reliability and increase
ridership and to strengthen linkages
and access to key destinations.

M-5c Explore new intracity transit options
such as a Lomita trolley to transport
individuals between commercial
areas, residential areas, and parks
within the city.

Transit
A community connected to a
comprehensive public transportation
system.

Transit is part of the comprehensive
transportation network. It is a critical mode
of transportation for those who cannot
drive or do not have access to a vehicle and
also supplements other modes such as
bicycle and pedestrian travel.

MOBILITY
M-16 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL M-6
A network of supportive infrastructure can encourage
travel by non-motorized transportation. The city’s
existing pedestrian and bicycle paths support active
transportation, but connecting gaps and providing
supportive infrastructure benefits users and promotes
alternative travel modes.

M-6 Policies
M-6.1 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.

Implement the Bicycle and Pedestrian
Master Plan to provide active transportation
facilities that can serve as an alternative to
automobiles, including the Plan’s facility
recommendations as shown in Figure M-2.

M-6.2 Local Travel Network. Coordinate with the
South Bay Cities Council of Governments to
promote local micromobility modes by
implementing the Local Travel Network plan
and supporting efforts to integrate the
network with adjacent cities, as shown in
Figure M-3.

Active Transportation
A community with a comprehensive
network of pedestrian and bicycle
facilities that encourage active
transportation.

MOBILITY
M-17 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
M-6.3 Sidewalk and Bikeway Gaps.

Create a connected and complete
active transportation network by
identifying and eliminating gaps in
sidewalks and bikeways, evaluating
the adequacy of existing urban trails,
and prioritizing sidewalk
maintenance.

M-6.4 Bicycle/Pedestrian Facilities at
New Developments. Require new
residential and non-residential
developments in the city to provide
safe and attractive bicycle and
pedestrian facilities, such as secure
bicycle parking, pedestrian-scale
lighting, street furniture,
landscaping, buffer from driving
lanes, consolidated curb cuts, and
other improvements.

M-6.5 Effects of New Technologies on
Active Transportation. Monitor the
development of new mobility
technologies and the potential
effects on designing a transportation
network that accommodates all
modes and users.

M-6.6 Undergrounding Utilities. Move
utilities underground to provide
space for micromobility and ADA
access as well as to improve
sightlines for safety.

M-6 Actions
M-6a As part of development review and
specific plans, require land
development projects to provide
connectivity and accessibility to a mix
of uses such as schools, parks, work,
and shopping destinations that meet
residents’ daily needs including
secure parking and safety measures.

M-6b Review and update the City’s
Municipal Code, as necessary, to
consider bicycle and pedestrian
access as part of the site plan review
for new development projects.

M-6c Dedicate capital improvement
funding for citywide projects
including pedestrian refuge islands,
raised crosswalks, or other relevant
crosswalk enhancements.

M-6d Require that all roadway resurfacing
projects and land development
projects with impacts to roadways be
subject to a review process that
considers lane reconfiguration and
other opportunities to improve the
bicycle and pedestrian network.

M-6e Establish a sidewalk maintenance
schedule to improve accessibility and
include repair of cracks from tree
roots, etc., and clearance of sidewalk
space through colocation or
undergrounding of utilities and
moving signage.

M-6f Implement a project delivery process
that gathers input from
stakeholders, such as Planning,
Police, Transit, and Public Works in
capital improvement project
delivery, from concept to
construction.

MOBILITY
M-18 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL M-7
M-7 Policies
M-7.1 Local Truck Routes. Maintain a
network of local truck routes to
facilitate goods movement to
regional roads and to discourage the
use of residential roads.

M-7.2 Roadway Design. Maintain roadway
design standards to facilitate access
to light industrial and manufacturing
areas along designated truck routes.

M-7.3 Heavy Vehicles. Regulate vehicle
weight on local streets to improve
maintenance frequency and reduce
noise.

M-7 Actions
M-7a Review and update the City’s
designated truck routes as needed
while considering the potential
mobility conflicts and the location of
sensitive land uses in Lomita.

M-7b Monitor e-commerce trends and
develop regulations and guidance to
address potential adverse effects of
goods movement deliveries,
including increased truck traffic and
increased demand for curbside
loading.

M-7c Explore an ordinance to restrict
vehicular weight overages on local
streets and assist enforcement with
signage and other resources.

Goods Movement
A community that integrates safe and
efficient goods movement into the
local transportation network.

Planning for a transportation system to
facilitate goods movement is economically
necessary to anticipate regional and local
needs for the safe and efficient movement
of goods and people, while minimizing
negative impacts on local circulation and
sensitive land uses.

MOBILITY
M-19 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL M-8
M-8 Policies
M-8.1 Innovative Funding. Research and
pursue innovative funding sources at
the federal, state, regional, and
county level to implement
transportation projects.

M-8.2 Regional Funding. Encourage
regional agencies to continue to
provide adequate transportation
funding to local jurisdictions such as
Metro’s Measure R and Measure M to
fund capital projects and programs.

M-8.3 Development Fees. Ensure that new
development projects contribute
their appropriate fair share to
transportation network
improvements.

M-8 Actions
M-8a Develop and support a flexible
financing program to fund the
construction, maintenance, and
improvement of the roadway
system.

M-8b Monitor federal, state, and Metro
funding programs to identify
potential sources of funds for
transportation and transit programs,
to implement the city bikeway
system, and to improve intersections
and transit facilities improvements in
Lomita. Pursue any potential funding
through the identified programs.

Funding and financing sources are available
at the regional, state, and federal levels to
help realize the City’s transportation vision
and mobility plan. Such funds can
complement the City’s resources to plan,
design, and implement circulation and
access improvements and promote the
General Plan’s goals.

Funding
A community with a well-funded and
fiscally sound transportation system
that utilizes a variety of funding
methods.

MOBILITY
M-20 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL M-9
Recent state legislation has shifted to focus land use
and transportation planning on reducing vehicle miles
traveled (VMT), in alignment with a goal to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and address climate
change. The City can employ transportation
management strategies that promote alternatives to
single-occupancy vehicle travel to guide land use and
transportation decisions in support of environmental
goals.

M-9 Policies
M-9.1 Vehicle Miles Traveled Guidelines. Require
vehicle miles traveled (VMT) analysis for the
purposes of environmental review under the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The City shall continue to maintain Level of
Service (LOS) standards for the purposes of
planning and designing street
improvements.

M-9.2 Transportation Demand Management.

Require transportation demand
management (TDM) strategies as mitigation
measures for new projects that exceed the
City’s VMT impact thresholds.

M-9.3 Regional Coordination. Encourage
regional agencies such as Metro, the
South Coast Air Quality Management
District (SCAQMD), and the South Bay
Transportation Management
A community with transportation
management strategies that
contribute to achieving regional and
statewide greenhouse gas emissions
targets.

MOBILITY
M-21 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Cities Council of Governments to
promote TDM programs that reduce
single-occupancy vehicle travel.

M-9.4 New Development. Work with
developers to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions and minimize
congestion related to new
development through
improvements to the circulation
system and on-site improvements
that encourage public and active
modes of travel.

M-9.5 Intermodal Safety. Ensure
intermodal safety through
development review and mitigate
impediments to driveway sightlines.

This may include right-of-way
redesign, appropriate building
orientation, curb cut consolidation,
driveway orientation, signage
placement and size, sidewalk
infrastructure such as bus stops or
utility boxes, and nonstandard
encroachments.

M-9.6 Driving Safety. Prioritize code
enforcement efforts to address
violations of the sign ordinance to
declutter the roadway experience,
particularly along Pacific Coast
Highway.

M-9 Actions
M-9a Review and update the City’s
Municipal Code and related
implementation documents, as
necessary, to reflect TDM best
practices.

M-9b Require developments that are
approved based on TDM plans to
incorporate monitoring and
enforcement of TDM targets as part
of the plans.

M-9c Consider adoption of vehicle miles
traveled (VMT) guidelines and
thresholds for transportation
analysis for the purposes of
environmental review under the
California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA).

M-9d Codify Public Works Right-of-Way
Standards by ordinance or resolution
to unify streets, remove nonstandard
encroachments to improve safety,
and improve sightlines. Ensure the
compliance with Right-of-Way
Standards during the entitlement
process and inspection and consider
proactive code enforcement.

MOBILITY
M-22 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
This page intentionally left blank.
. I I
- - - - - -t--y· arr a-n-c e- - -!ii ______ ....,_....,�""'"-...,. ' '
r
------- I

GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
To rrance
LEGEND
Existing Class I - Bike/Multi-Use Path = Existing Class II - Bike Lane Existing Class Ill - Shared Bike Lane
i:::::::== Planned Class II - Bike Lane
Planned Class II - Buffered Bike Lane
Planned Class Ill - Shared Bike Lane
Planned Class IV - Separated Bikeway
� Bicycle Parking
0 Schools
Parks
c:::::J Lomita City Boundary
De- No, o Pl.inning Gronp
.\ Lmd lh,. Pl,11111inl(, �,igu, .md E,,,-ironm,.nt.,I Finu •••• Prepared for the City of l,omita by Kittelson & Associates, Inc.

Sources: /.o.<; Angeles County G/S; Ca/Trans.

I
... --...
g Hi
a t e s
�-\(,; "
aJ
'1Lomita 2�2nd•St
L�ary
Lomita J City_ Hall ====1 I
5th=St
n c h o
P a I o s V e r d e s
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
1 Existing and Planned Bikeways

MOBILITY
M-24 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
This page intentionally left blank.

MOBILITY
M-25 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Figure M-3 Local Transportation Network

MOBILITY
M-26 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
This page intentionally left blank.

MOBILITY
M-27 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Implementation Matrix
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
M-1a: As funding for studies
becomes available, periodically
review and assess the vehicular
level of service along city
roadways to determine what, if
any, improvements are
warranted to maintain a safe and
efficient flow of traffic throughout
Lomita. Based on a thorough
review of roadway operations
and funding availability,
improvements should be
included in the City’s Capital
Improvement Plan and/or
required as part of project
approval through the
development review process.

M-1 Study Public Works
M-1b: Continue to update and
implement projects in the City’s
Capital Improvement Plan to
maintain and repair roadways
and construct and improve
roadways to build out the
roadway network to ensure
adequate levels of service.

M-1 Plan Public Works
M-1c: As part of the development
review conditions of approval
process, require new
developments to construct all
feasible roadway and intersection
improvements warranted by the
new development or pay
appropriate fair share and impact
fees towards required
improvements identified through
traffic impact studies reviewed by
M-1 Procedure Public Works
Timeframes will
be represented
with the following
symbols:

Short-term
1-5 years
▲
Medium-term
5-10 years
▲▲
Long-term
10+ years
▲▲▲
On-going

MOBILITY
M-28 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
the City Engineer or his/her
designated representative.

M-1d: Evaluate impact and
capacity fees to ensure fees
collected cover City expenses for
development impacts.

M-1 ▲ Study Public Works
M-1e: Monitor the development
of new mobility technologies and
the potential local effects on
vehicular, bicycle, pedestrian, and
transit facilities and operations,
and seek funding to invest in
associated infrastructure and
technologies such as Traffic
System Management (TSM) and
traffic signal synchronization.

M-1 ▲▲▲ Study Public Works
M-1f: Evaluate the applicability of
traffic calming tools to minimize
cut-through traffic on local
streets, especially in residential
areas and near schools, and
implement improvements as
necessary.

M-1 ▲▲ Study Public Works
M-1g: Enact requirements or
incentives for curb cut
consolidation to improve
intermodal safety and expand the
amount of available on-street
parking.

M-1 ▲ Program Public Works
M-1h: Work with the City of
Torrance to create a new
connection from the city to
Crenshaw Boulevard. This can be
any combination of modes of
transportation and could occur at
250th Street with potential
M-1 ▲▲▲
Capital
Improvement
Plan
City Manager’s
Office, Public
Works

MOBILITY
M-29 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
nonvehicular connections at 246th
Street and/or 256th Street.

M-2a: Participate in regional
planning forums to ensure that
the City’s concerns are
considered at the regional level.

M-2 Program
City Manager’s
Office, Public
Works
M-2b: Advocate for the
completion of planned regional
transportation projects that
would improve traffic conditions
on city streets.

M-2 Program
City Manager’s
Office, Public
Works
M-2c: Monitor land use,
circulation planning, and
development review of
neighboring jurisdictions so that
the City may recommend
consideration of project impacts
to Lomita.

M-2 Procedure
Public Works,
Community &
Economic
Development
M-2d: Implement traffic calming
measures to discourage passthrough traffic on local streets and to mitigate noise.

M-2 ▲▲ Program Public Works
M-3a: When planning roadway
facilities, incorporate the concept
of complete streets while
considering the land use and
design context of the
surrounding areas.

M-3 Procedure Public Works
M-3b: Periodically review and
update the City’s Right-of-Way
Standards to ensure that the
standards reflect the City’s goals
and policies for the circulation
system.

M-3 ▲
Ordinance/
Code
Amendment
Public Works

MOBILITY
M-30 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
M-3c: Partner with Lomita school
administrators to improve traffic
and parking conditions in school
areas, especially during school
drop-off and pick-up periods.

M-3 ▲ Partnership
City Manager’s
Office, Public
Works
M-3d: Develop strategies and
guidelines to set curb use
priorities that consider the needs
of through traffic, transit stops,
bus turnouts, passenger dropoff/pick-up, deliveries, and shortterm/long-term parking, especially along major corridors.

M-3 ▲▲ Study Public Works
M-3e: Comply with ADA
requirements and design projects
to remove physical barriers to
accessibility in transportation
systems and facilities for people
with disabilities.

M-3 Procedure Public Works
M-3f: During development
reviews, ensure that the City
Engineer reviews the design of
right-of-way and adjacent rightof-way per City plans and require established right-of-way
standards as a condition of
approval for other entitlements.

M-3 Procedure Public Works
M-3g: Explore codifying street
tree requirements, including
spacing, berm width, and
appropriate species, both
understory and overstory.

M-3 ▲▲
Ordinance/
Code
Amendment
Public Works
M-4a: Maintain and enforce City
parking regulations as set by the
Municipal Code.

M-4 Procedure
Public Works,
Code
Enforcement

MOBILITY
M-31 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
M-4b: Periodically review the
City’s parking code to address
new types and patterns of
development and new
technologies which may have an
impact on parking supply and/or
demand in Lomita.

M-4 ▲▲ Program
Public Works,
Community &
Economic
Development
M-4c: Maintain and manage the
parking supply to ensure efficient
and safe utilization through the
employment of parking
management strategies, such as
shared parking in mixed-use
areas, and explore preferential
parking districts in residential
areas.

M-4 ▲▲ Program
Public Works,
Community &
Economic
Development
M-4d: Install safe, useful, and
convenient short- and long-term
bicycle parking facilities in the
public right-of-way or near key
destinations, City facilities, and
transit facilities.

M-4 ▲▲
Capital
Improvement
Plan
Public Works
M-5a: Continue on-going
coordination with transit
authorities toward the expansion
of transit facilities.

M-5 Partnership Public Works
M-5b: Work with transit providers
to increase transit service
frequency, speed, and reliability
and increase ridership and to
strengthen linkages and access to
key destinations.

M-5 Partnership Public Works
M-5c: Explore new intracity
transit options such as a Lomita
trolley to transport individuals
between commercial areas,
M-5 ▲▲ Study Public Works

MOBILITY
M-32 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
residential areas, and parks
within the city.

M-6a: As part of development
review and specific plans, require
land development projects to
provide connectivity and
accessibility to a mix of uses such
as schools, parks, work, and
shopping destinations that meet
residents’ daily needs including
secure parking and safety
measures.

M-6 Procedure
Public Works,
Community &
Economic
Development
M-6b: Review and update the
City’s Municipal Code, as
necessary, to consider bicycle and
pedestrian access as part of the
site plan review for new
development projects.

M-6 ▲
Ordinance/
Code
Amendment
Public Works,
Community &
Economic
Development
M-6c: Dedicate capital
improvement funding for
citywide projects including
pedestrian refuge islands, raised
crosswalks, or other relevant
crosswalk enhancements.

M-6 ▲
Capital
Improvement
Plan
Public Works
M-6d: Require that all roadway
resurfacing projects and land
development projects with
impacts to roadways be subject
to a review process that
considers lane reconfiguration
and other opportunities to
improve the bicycle and
pedestrian network.

M-6 Procedure Public Works
M-6e: Establish a sidewalk
maintenance schedule to
improve accessibility and include
repair of cracks from tree roots,
M-6 ▲▲ Program Public Works

MOBILITY
M-33 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
etc., and clearance of sidewalk
space through colocation or
undergrounding of utilities and
moving signage.

M-6f: Implement a project
delivery process that gathers
input from stakeholders, such as
Planning, Police, Transit, and
Public Works in capital
improvement project delivery,
from concept to construction.

M-6 ▲ Procedure Public Works
M-7a: Review and update the
City’s designated truck routes as
needed while considering the
potential mobility conflicts and
the location of sensitive land uses
in Lomita.

M-7 ▲▲ Study Public Works
M-7b: Monitor e-commerce
trends and develop regulations
and guidance to address
potential adverse effects of goods
movement deliveries, including
increased truck traffic and
increased demand for curbside
loading.

M-7 ▲▲ Study Public Works
M-7c: Explore an ordinance to
restrict vehicular weight overages
on local streets and assist
enforcement with signage and
other resources.

M-7 ▲▲
Ordinance/
Code
Amendment
Public Works
M-8a: Develop and support a
flexible financing program to
fund the construction,
maintenance, and improvement
of the roadway system.

M-8 ▲▲ Program Public Works,
Finance

MOBILITY
M-34 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
M-8b: Monitor federal, state, and
Metro funding programs to
identify potential sources of
funds for transportation and
transit programs, to implement
the city bikeway system, and to
improve intersections and transit
facilities improvements in Lomita.

Pursue any potential funding
through the identified programs.

M-8 Program Public Works
M-9a: Review and update the
City’s Municipal Code and related
implementation documents, as
necessary, to reflect TDM best
practices.

M-9 ▲
Ordinance/
Code
Amendment
Public Works
M-9b: Require developments that
are approved based on TDM
plans to incorporate monitoring
and enforcement of TDM targets
as part of the plans.

M-9 Procedure Public Works
M-9c: Consider adoption of
vehicle miles traveled (VMT)
guidelines and thresholds for
transportation analysis for the
purposes of environmental
review under the California
Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA).

M-9 ▲ Assessment Public Works
M-9d: Codify Public Works Rightof-Way Standards by ordinance or resolution to unify streets,
remove nonstandard
encroachments to improve
safety, and improve sightlines.

Ensure the compliance with
Right-of-Way Standards during
the entitlement process and
M-9 ▲▲
Ordinance/
Code
Amendment
Public Works

MOBILITY
M-35 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
inspection and consider proactive
code enforcement.

RESOURCE

MANAGEMENT
2024

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-2 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
This page intentionally left blank.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-3 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN

INTRODUCTION TO RESOURCE

MANAGEMENT
The focus of this element is to deliver the goals,
policies, and actions to preserve and protect the
Lomita’s invaluable resources. Preservation and
improvement of such resources requires careful
planning and effective management. Resources
may be natural (such as biological resources) or
human-made (such as historically significant
buildings). Together, the city’s resources form part
of Lomita’s unique character. The Resource
Management Element provides strategies to
maintain the city’s character that serves to
enhance the quality of life for both residents and
visitors through a variety of open spaces, services,
and the continued effort to conserve important
resources.

Organization of Element
The Resource Management Element
will address each of the topics below
as they relate to Lomita. The goals and
policies of this element are organized
around the following topics:
o Parks, Recreation, and Open Space
Historic and Cultural Resources
o Air Quality
o Greenhouse Gas Reduction
o Sustainability / Energy Resources
o Water Resources
o Waste Management and Recycling
“ The Resource
Management Element
provides strategies to
maintain the city’s
character that serves
to enhance the
quality of life for
both residents and
visitors.”
Community resources
may be natural or
human made.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-4 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL RM-1

Parks, recreation, and open space facilities all
contribute to the well-being of a community. The City
maintains nine parks including Lomita Park and the
Marc Fosnaugh Gymnasium, Navy Field owned by the
U.S. Navy and used for Lomita Little League, and
Takaishi Japanese Garden on the grounds of the Civic
Center. These publicly accessible spaces provide for
physical activity and leisure and foster social
connections among community members. This goal
aims to preserve, expand, and improve parks and open
spaces, and encourage healthy and active lifestyles.

RM-1 Policies
RM-1.1 Parks and Recreation Facility Amenities.

Develop parks and recreational facilities with
amenities that meet the community’s needs
and preferences, including but not limited to
play areas for children, sports courts and
fields, dog parks, community meeting rooms,
and accessibility updates.

RM-1.2 Project Prioritization. Prioritize parks and
recreation capital improvement projects in
neighborhoods and areas most in need, such
as where residents are not within a tenminute walk to a park, open space, or joint use facility.

Parks, Recreation & Open Space
Maintain a system of high-quality and
well-maintained parks and
recreational facilities that promote
active transportation, exercise, and
social connection.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-5 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
RM-1.3 Navy Field. Explore the City
acquisition of Navy Field and the
feasibility of redeveloping the site.

RM-1.4 Accessibility. Require publicly
accessible parks and recreation
facilities to comply with the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
to accommodate a diversity of ages
and abilities.

RM-1.5 Safe Routes. Provide safe
pedestrian and bicycle pathways to
parks, recreational facilities, and
schools to foster a sense of
community well-being and to
promote active lifestyles.

RM-1.6 Maintenance. Ensure regular
maintenance of parks, recreational
facilities, open space areas, and
public amenities to uphold
appearance, usability, and safety.

RM-1.7 Funding for Parks. Continue to
research grant funding opportunities
and other sources of funding for the
acquisition and construction of park
and recreation facilities to meet the
diverse recreational needs of the
community.

RM-1.8 Partnerships and Joint Use
Agreements. Engage with the school
district, local and regional agencies,
and private developers to establish
partnerships and joint use
agreements aimed at expanding the
range of recreational facility options
available to the public.

RM-1.9 Green Streets. Ensure the
consistent integration of Cityapproved street trees (i.e., permitted species) along sidewalks and
property frontages.

RM-1.10 Park Assessment. Seek input from
the community on the needs and
investment priorities for public parks
and recreational facilities.

RM-1.11 Community Events and Festivals.

Program community events and
festivals in parks and public spaces
throughout the city, prioritizing areas
with significant foot traffic such as
the Civic Center.

RM-1 Actions
RM-1a Determine the costs associated with
the acquisition, development, and
operation of new facilities on the
Navy Field site and initiate
discussions with the U.S. Navy
regarding the transfer of the site to
the City.

RM-1b Conduct accessibility assessments
for all public parks and recreation
facilities at least every five years.

RM-1c Install adequate lighting, designated
crosswalks, clear signage, and other
nonvehicular infrastructure to
improve pedestrian and bicycle
connections between residential and
open space areas. (Also refer to
Mobility Element.)
RM-1d Develop a maintenance schedule for
parks, recreational facilities, and
open space areas and update it at
least every two years.

RM-1e Research available grant funding for
parks and public open space

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-6 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
improvements and strive to apply for
at least one grant per year.

RM-1f Identify potential partners interested
in cooperative efforts to expand
recreational opportunities for
community members and conduct
proactive outreach as appropriate.

RM-1g Continuously engage with
community members through
surveys, workshops, and other public
forums to receive feedback on the
needs and priorities for parks and
recreational facilities.

RM-1h Consider adoption of a tree
protection ordinance to help reduce
air and noise pollution, provide
shade, reduce the “heat island”
effect, furnish habitat for wildlife,
enhance aesthetics and property
values, and contribute to community
image, pride, and quality of life.

RM-1i Establish minimum open space
and/or maximum lot coverage
standards in the Zoning Code for
new development (i.e., new square
footage) in the city.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-7 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL RM-2
Preservation of the city’s historic and cultural
resources is critical for maintaining the community’s
character. These resources help link the community to
the past, offering insight into Lomita’s rich history. The intent of this goal is to preserve and protect Lomita’s cultural heritage, including historic buildings and
structures, archaeological sites and tribal cultural
resources, and paleontological resources.

RM-2 Policies
RM-2.1 Preservation. Ensure the preservation of
the city’s historical past.

RM-2.2 Historic Properties. Encourage the
voluntary designation of potentially historic
properties as landmarks or historic districts.

RM-2.3 Tribal Consultation. In accordance with
state, local, and tribal intergovernmental
consultation requirements, consult with
Native American tribes that may be impacted
by proposed development and land use
policy changes, as necessary.

Historic & Cultural Resources
Sustain Lomita’s strong community
awareness of, and appreciation for, its
history and cultural heritage.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-8 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
RM-2.4 Historic Preservation. Evaluate the
condition of historic buildings, the
costs of rehabilitation, and the
feasibility of preservation or
conservation alternatives when
considering the demolition or
movement of historic structures.

When possible, encourage the
adaptive reuse of a historic structure.

RM-2.5 Funding for Preservation. With
input and involvement of
stakeholder groups, seek adequate
funding and support from public and
private sources that aim to protect
historic and cultural resources within
the city.

RM-2 Actions
RM-2a Assess development proposals for
potential impacts to sensitive
historic, archaeological, tribal
cultural, and paleontological
resources pursuant to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

RM-2b Evaluate the feasibility of
implementing a local historic registry
program that provides incentives for
retrofitting and building
maintenance, as well as public
recognition, of the local resource.

RM-2c Consider conducting a historic
properties inventory that takes into
consideration buildings,
neighborhoods, and other features
of historic, architectural, or cultural
significance.

RM-2d Notify appropriate tribes of the
opportunity for consultation for the
purpose of preserving, or mitigating
impacts to, cultural places located on
land within the City’s jurisdiction that
may be affected by any proposed
adoption or amendment to the
General Plan or a specific plan.

RM-2e For structures that potentially have
historical significance, including
intact extant buildings more than 45
years old, the City shall require a
study conducted by a professional
archaeologist or historian to
determine the actual significance of
the structure and potential impacts
of the proposed development in
accordance with CEQA Guidelines
Section 15064.5. The City may
require modifications of the project
and/or mitigation measures to avoid
any impacts to a historic structure,
when feasible, such as retaining or
rehabilitating historic buildings or
relocating the historic building as
feasible. If not feasible, the resource
must be recorded to the Historic
American Buildings Survey/Historic
American Engineering Record
standard by someone who meets the
Secretary of the Interior Standards
qualifications for architectural
history.

RM-2f For all development proposals within
areas assessed to have moderate or
high sensitivity for archaeological
resources, the City shall require
either a study to be conducted by a
professional archaeologist or to have
full-time monitoring during grounddisturbing activities by an archaeologist and a Native American
monitor. The objective of the study
will be to determine potential

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-9 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
presence of significant
archaeological resources and
whether the project will significantly
impact the resources. If review
identifies significant impacts, the City
may require project modification to
avoid the impacts, or require
mitigation measures to mitigate the
impacts. Mitigation may involve
archaeological investigation and
resource recovery.

RM-2g In the event of discovery or
recognition of any human remains in
any location other than a dedicated
cemetery, the City shall halt
excavation or disturbance of the site
or any nearby area reasonably
suspected to overlie adjacent human
remains until the County Coroner
has been informed and determines
that cause of death investigation is
not required. If the remains are of
Native American origin, no person
shall further excavate or disturb the
site or any nearby area reasonably
suspected to overlie adjacent human
remains until the descendants from
the deceased Native Americans
recommend to the landowner or the
persons responsible for the
excavation work, the means of
treating or disposing of, with
appropriate dignity, the human
remains and any associated grave
goods as provided by Public
Resources Code Section 5097.98, or
the Native American Heritage
Commission was unable to identify a
descendant or the descendant failed
to make a recommendation within
24 hours after site access was
granted.

RM-2h For all development proposals within
areas assessed to have undisturbed
sediments with a Potential Fossil
Yield Classification (PFYC) ranking of
PFYC 3 or higher, the City shall
require either a study conducted by
a qualified vertebrate paleontologist
(as defined by the Society for
Vertebrate Paleontology) or
agreement to retain a qualified
vertebrate paleontologist to develop
and implement a Paleontological
Resources Impact Mitigation Plan
(PRIMP). The PRIMP shall include
paleontology Worker Environmental
Awareness Program (WEAP) training
for construction personnel;
paleontological monitoring of all
excavations in areas or sediments
having moderate paleontological
sensitivity; and a fossil recovery
protocol that includes data to be
collected, professional identification,
radiocarbon dates, and other special
studies as appropriate, and curation
at local curation facility such as such
as the Natural History Museum of
Los Angeles County for fossils
meeting significance criteria. In the
event of unanticipated discoveries,
all work must be suspended within
50 feet of the find until the
paleontologist can evaluate the find
and make recommendations.

Documentation and treatment of the
discovery shall occur in accordance
with Society of Vertebrate
Paleontology standards. The
significance of the find shall be

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-10 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
evaluated pursuant to the state
CEQA guidelines. If the discovery
proves to be significant, before
construction activities resume at the
location of the find, additional work
such as data recovery excavation
may be warranted, as deemed
necessary by the paleontologist.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-11 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL RM-3
Air quality is important for a city to maintain
community health and reduce the incidence of
respiratory illness. Air quality is especially important due to Lomita’s location in the South Coast Air Basin
(SCAB), which does not meet state and federal air
quality standards. Regional cooperation among all
agencies in the basin is necessary to achieve desired
improvements to air quality. This goal is intended to
assist the City in reducing local air pollutant emissions through land use and transportation strategies.

RM-3 Policies
Regional Air Quality. Coordinate with state
and regional agencies such as the South
Coast Air Quality Management District
(SCAQMD), the Southern California
Association of Governments (SCAG), the
South Bay Cities Council of Governments
(SBCCOG), and the California Air Resources
Board (CARB) to address air quality issues.

Land Use Planning. Reduce concentrated
air pollution and the incidence of respiratory
illness through the land use planning
process by diversifying the land use mix,
bringing compatible uses closer together,
reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), and
applying other similar measures.

Air Quality
Improve air quality and reduce air
pollutant emissions.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-12 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Stationary and Mobile Sources.

Seek to reduce air pollutant
emissions through regulation of
stationary and mobile sources of air
pollution, as feasible.

Sustainable Technology.

Encourage new and emerging
technologies that could decrease air
pollution.

Public Education. Raise public
awareness of the impacts of air
pollution on physical health and the
environment.

Grant Funding. Explore grant
funding from state, federal, and nongovernmental organizations for clean air projects to improve air
quality and decrease air pollutant
emissions.

RM-3 Actions
RM-3a Coordinate with the SCAQMD to
further reduce smog pollution and
mitigate major stationary sources of
air pollution in the city.

RM-3b As applicable, review new residential
and nonresidential development
projects during the CEQA process for
potential air quality impacts to
residences and other sensitive
receptors.

RM-3c Integrate smart technology
equipment into urban infrastructure
that can monitor and provide real
time air quality data.

RM-3d Conduct educational outreach to
residential and business community
stakeholders about air quality
standards, air pollution impact on
physical health and the environment,
and best practices to improve overall
air quality.

RM-3e Identify state, federal, and nongovernmental organizations that provide grant funding for clean air
projects.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-13 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL RM-4
Climate change is primarily attributed to an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that trap heat
in the Earth’s atmosphere caused by rapid
industrialization and other human activities. The
effects of climate change in southern California include temperature increases, reduced precipitation, more
extreme wildfires, and reduced water supply. The
extent to which Lomita is impacted by climate change
is dependent on actions taken today. By curbing
greenhouse gas emissions and adapting the
community to the already changing environment, the
City can help to reduce climate change impacts. This
goal intends to assist the City in reducing local GHG
emissions.

RM-4 Policies
RM-4.1 Low-carbon Municipality. Demonstrate
environmental leadership and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions from municipal
facilities and operations by at least 49%
below 2005 levels by 2035, in conjunction
with the City’s 2018 Climate Action Plan
(CAP).

RM-4.2 GHG Inventory. Update the community and
municipal GHG inventories every five years
to track progress toward achieving the City’s
GHG reduction goal.

Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Commit to reducing municipal
greenhouse gas emissions and
achieving a low carbon future.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-14 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
RM-4.3 Development Standards. Require
residential and nonresidential
development projects to implement
sustainable development standards
to decrease greenhouse gas
emissions.

RM-4.4 Sustainable Infrastructure.

Continue to invest in public
infrastructure that supports the use
of energy efficient or low-emission
transportation.

RM-4.5 State and Federal Targets. Review
existing City practices to identify
methods to decrease overall
greenhouse gas emissions.

RM-4.6 City Contractors. Encourage
contractors to use low-emission
equipment and vehicles for City
construction projects.

RM-4 Actions
RM-4a Implement the local GHG reduction
measures identified in the City of
Lomita 2018 Climate Action Plan
(CAP) and perform on-going
monitoring and reporting of GHG
reduction impacts.

RM-4b Continue to participate in the South
Bay Cities Council of Governments’
(SBCCOG) climate action planning
process and update Lomita’s CAP at
least every five years.

RM-4c Explore incentives for city
contractors who invest in and use
low-emission equipment and
vehicles for city infrastructure
projects or establish minimum
requirements in the Municipal Code.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-15 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL RM-5
RM-5 Policies
RM-5.1 Renewable Energy Production.

Promote the development and use
of renewable energy sources for city,
residential, and business facilities.

RM-5.2 Energy Audits. Promote home
energy audits with regional
programs such as Energy Upgrade
California or other state programs.

RM-5.3 Regional Partnerships. Coordinate
with the South Bay Cities Council of
Governments and other
organizations for outreach events to
promote energy awareness and
existing programs and incentives
that are offered for energy efficiency.

RM-5.4 Green Building Standards. Ensure
that residential and nonresidential
development projects comply with
the most current version of the
California Green Building Standards
Code.

RM-5.5 Energy Upgrades. Encourage
property owners to participate in
solar retrofit and other energyefficient home improvement projects to reduce reliance on
traditional energy sources.

RM-5 Actions
RM-5a As feasible, use renewable energy
sources at City facilities.

RM-5b Organize and conduct educational
workshops with utility companies
informing the public of the benefits
of home energy audits and energy
saving practices.

RM-5c Conduct outreach events with the
SBCCOG to inform residents and
businesses about existing programs
and incentives that are offered for
energy efficiency.

RM-5d Continue to review development
projects to ensure that all new
residential and nonresidential
development complies with local and
state regulations regarding energy
efficiency.

RM-5e Consider adopting minimum energy
efficiency requirements in the
Zoning Code.

Sustainability / Energy Resources
Carefully and safely manage energy
resources, embracing sustainable
practices for long-term vitality.

Sustainable energy practices are important
to help ensure energy resources are
available to meet future growth in Lomita.

The intent of this goal is to ensure a resilient
community through safe management and
energy conservation methods.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-16 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL RM-6
Water conservation is vital to ensure sustainable
access to clean drinking water for current and future
generations of Lomita residents and businesses. By
conserving and managing water, the city can mitigate
the strain on its water supply sources. The aim of this goal is responsible management of water, which can
foster a culture of environmental stewardship and
resilience in the community.

RM-6 Policies
RM-6.1 Regional Coordination. Continue to
coordinate with the Los Angeles Regional
Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) to
help maintain and improve the quality of
both surface water and groundwater
resources.

RM-6.2 Conservation Management. Promote
water conservation and efficiency through
education, innovation, regulation, and
incentives that target all aspects of water
consumption.

RM-6.3 Stormwater. Coordinate with local water
agencies to ensure efficient and effective
management of stormwater runoff and to
protect stormwater quality, in accordance
with the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES).

Water Resources
Maintain and improve water resources
and water quality through effective
systems and best practices.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-17 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
RM-6.4 Education. Collaborate with
community partners to promote
water conservation and to cultivate
an understanding and appreciation
of water conservation practices.

RM-6.5 Landscaping. Encourage drought
resistant landscaping for new
residential and nonresidential
development projects to decrease
water demand, prevent erosion,
reduce flooding, and limit pollutants.

RM-6.6 Water Division. Continue to invest
and devote resources toward the
City’s Water Division to minimize
reliance on imported water and
strive to develop a more effective
water production and distribution
system in the city.

RM-6 Actions
RM-6a Continue to work closely with the
California State Division of Drinking
Water, the Los Angeles Regional
Water Quality Control Board, and
other agencies to identify the
potential source of benzene
contamination detected at Well No.5
through extensive testing. This
testing may include identification
and investigation of potential
sources both inside and outside the
city, extensive sampling, boring, and
monitoring of likely sources in the
area, and ongoing monitoring of soil
and water levels.

RM-6b Implement regular monitoring and
reporting procedures to track water
consumption trends, identify
inefficiencies, and gauge the impact
of water conservation measures.

RM-6c Conduct public outreach to inform
residents and businesses about the
importance of stormwater
management, including providing
practical tips and resources to
reduce local runoffs.

RM-6d Conduct feasibility studies to
evaluate the potential for expanding
recycled water infrastructure within
the city.

RM-6e Adopt the State’s updated drought
resistant landscape guidelines in the
Zoning Code.

RM-6f Conduct a comprehensive
assessment of the current water
distribution system, and identity
areas in need of improvement to
guide the development of a more
efficient water distribution system.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-18 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL RM-7
The State of California mandates communities to
adopt proactive waste management practices, which
include an integrated waste management system for
reducing, collecting, recycling, and disposing waste
products generated by residential, institutional,
commercial, and industrial land uses. The intent of this goal is to ensure an integrated approach to recycling,
waste reduction, and efficient waste management
strategies to protect Lomita’s environment.

RM-7 Policies
RM-7.1 Compliance. Ensure compliance with local,
regional, and state regulations regarding
waste diversion, source reduction, recycling,
and composting.

RM-7.2 Solid Waste Collection. Ensure adequate
solid waste disposal, recycling, and refuse
services for current and future residents and
businesses.

RM-7.3 Hazardous Waste. Promote the proper
disposal of hazardous waste through
education, monitoring, and enforcement of
proper use, storage, handling, and disposal.

RM-7.4 Construction Waste Reduction. Encourage
development projects to divert most of their
construction waste debris away from
landfills.

Waste Management & Recycling
Integrate waste management and
recycling practices.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-19 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
RM-7.5 Organic Waste. Work with
appropriate service providers to
collect and compost green waste.

RM-7.6 Education. Collaborate with
community partners to promote
waste reduction strategies to the
community.

RM-7 Actions
RM-7a Continue to comply with State law to
ensure solid waste collection
activities, operation of waste
reduction and recycling programs,
and household hazardous waste
disposal and education programs
are consistent with the Los Angeles
Countywide Integrated Waste
Management Plan.

RM-7b Regularly monitor the level of
services provided by waste and
recycling collection contractors to
ensure that service levels meet the
terms of the contract.

RM-7c Use educational flyers and
workshops to inform residents of the
proper method to dispose
hazardous waste that includes paint,
tires, medications, medical sharps,
infectious waste, asbestos waste,
construction waste, and electronic
waste.

RM-7d Coordinate with developers and
contractors to identify opportunities
for waste diversion and recycling
during the project construction
phase.

RM-7e Work with the school district,
community organizations, and
businesses to develop educational
programs on waste reduction
strategies.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-20 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Implementation Matrix
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
RM-1a: Determine the costs
associated with the acquisition,
development, and operation of
new facilities on the Navy Field
site and initiate discussions with
the U.S. Navy regarding the
transfer of the site to the City.

RM-1 ▲▲▲ Study, Land
Acquisition
City Manager’s
Office, Public
Works
RM-1b: Conduct accessibility
assessments for all public parks
and recreation facilities at least
every five years.

RM-1 ▲▲ Assessment Public Works
RM-1c: Install adequate lighting,
designated crosswalks, clear
signage, and other nonvehicular
infrastructure to improve
pedestrian and bicycle
connections between residential
and open space areas. (Also refer
to Mobility Element.)
RM-1 ▲▲
Capital
Improvement
Plan
Public Works
RM-1d: Develop a maintenance
schedule for parks, recreational
facilities, and open space areas
and update it at least every two
years.

RM-1 ▲ Program Public Works
RM-1e: Research available grant
funding for parks and public
open space improvements and
strive to apply for at least one
grant per year.

RM-1 ▲ Grant
Application
Parks &
Recreation
RM-1f: Identify potential partners
interested in cooperative efforts
to expand recreational
opportunities for community
RM-1 ▲ Partnership Parks &
Recreation
Timeframes will
be represented
with the following
symbols:

Short-term
1-5 years
▲
Medium-term
5-10 years
▲▲
Long-term
10+ years
▲▲▲
On-going

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-21 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
members and conduct proactive
outreach as appropriate.

RM-1g: Continuously engage with
community members through
surveys, workshops, and other
public forums to receive feedback
on the needs and priorities for
parks and recreational facilities.

RM-1 Survey, Focus
Group
Parks &
Recreation
RM-1h: Consider adoption of a
tree protection ordinance to help
reduce air and noise pollution,
provide shade, reduce the “heat
island” effect, furnish habitat for
wildlife, enhance aesthetics and
property values, and contribute
to community image, pride, and
quality of life.

RM-1 ▲
Ordinance/
Code
Amendment
Community &
Economic
Development
RM-1i: Establish minimum open
space and/or maximum lot
coverage standards in the Zoning
Code for new development (i.e.,
new square footage) in the city.

RM-1 ▲
Ordinance/
Code
Amendment
Community &
Economic
Development
RM-2a: Assess development
proposals for potential impacts to
sensitive historic, archaeological,
tribal cultural, and
paleontological resources
pursuant to the California
Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA).

RM-2 Procedure
Community &
Economic
Development
RM-2b: Evaluate the feasibility of
implementing a local historic
registry program that provides
incentives for retrofitting and
building maintenance, as well as
RM-2 ▲▲ Study
Community &
Economic
Development

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-22 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
public recognition, of the local
resource.

RM-2c: Consider conducting a
historic properties inventory that
takes into consideration
buildings, neighborhoods, and
other features of historic,
architectural, or cultural
significance.

RM-2 ▲▲ Study
Community &
Economic
Development
RM-2d: Notify appropriate tribes
of the opportunity for
consultation for the purpose of
preserving, or mitigating impacts
to, cultural places located on land
within the City’s jurisdiction that
may be affected by any proposed
adoption or amendment to the
General Plan or a specific plan.

RM-2 Procedure
Community &
Economic
Development
RM-2e: For structures that
potentially have historical
significance, including intact
extant buildings more than 45
years old, the City shall require a
study conducted by a
professional archaeologist or
historian to determine the actual
significance of the structure and
potential impacts of the
proposed development in
accordance with CEQA Guidelines
Section 15064.5. The City may
require modifications of the
project and/or mitigation
measures to avoid any impacts to
a historic structure, when
feasible, such as retaining or
rehabilitating historic buildings or
relocating the historic building as
RM-2 Procedure
Community &
Economic
Development

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-23 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
feasible. If not feasible, the
resource must be recorded to the
Historic American Buildings
Survey/Historic American
Engineering Record standard by
someone who meets the
Secretary of the Interior
Standards qualifications for
architectural history.

RM-2f: For all development
proposals within areas assessed
to have moderate or high
sensitivity for archaeological
resources, the City shall require
either a study to be conducted by
a professional archaeologist or to
have full-time monitoring during
ground-disturbing activities by an
archaeologist and a Native
American monitor. The objective
of the study will be to determine
potential presence of significant
archaeological resources and
whether the project will
significantly impact the
resources. If review identifies
significant impacts, the City may
require project modification to
avoid the impacts, or require
mitigation measures to mitigate
the impacts. Mitigation may
involve archaeological
investigation and resource
recovery.

RM-2 Procedure
Community &
Economic
Development
RM-2g: In the event of discovery
or recognition of any human
remains in any location other
than a dedicated cemetery, the
City shall halt excavation or
disturbance of the site or any
nearby area reasonably
suspected to overlie adjacent
human remains until the County
RM-2 Procedure
Community &
Economic
Development

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-24 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
Coroner has been informed and
determines that cause of death
investigation is not required. If
the remains are of Native
American origin, no person shall
further excavate or disturb the
site or any nearby area
reasonably suspected to overlie
adjacent human remains until the
descendants from the deceased
Native Americans recommend to
the landowner or the persons
responsible for the excavation
work, the means of treating or
disposing of, with appropriate
dignity, the human remains and
any associated grave goods as
provided by Public Resources
Code Section 5097.98, or the
Native American Heritage
Commission was unable to
identify a descendant or the
descendant failed to make a
recommendation within 24 hours
after site access was granted.

RM-2h: For all development
proposals within areas assessed
to have undisturbed sediments
with a Potential Fossil Yield
Classification (PFYC) ranking of
PFYC 3 or higher, the City shall
require either a study conducted
by a qualified vertebrate
paleontologist (as defined by the
Society for Vertebrate
Paleontology) or agreement to
retain a qualified vertebrate
paleontologist to develop and
implement a Paleontological
Resources Impact Mitigation Plan
(PRIMP). The PRIMP shall include
paleontology Worker
Environmental Awareness
Program (WEAP) training for
construction personnel;
RM-2 Procedure
Community &
Economic
Development

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-25 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
paleontological monitoring of all
excavations in areas or
sediments having moderate
paleontological sensitivity; and a
fossil recovery protocol that
includes data to be collected,
professional identification,
radiocarbon dates, and other
special studies as appropriate,
and curation at local curation
facility such as such as the
Natural History Museum of Los
Angeles County for fossils
meeting significance criteria. In
the event of unanticipated
discoveries, all work must be
suspended within 50 feet of the
find until the paleontologist can
evaluate the find and make
recommendations.

Documentation and treatment of
the discovery shall occur in
accordance with Society of
Vertebrate Paleontology
standards. The significance of the
find shall be evaluated pursuant
to the state CEQA guidelines. If
the discovery proves to be
significant, before construction
activities resume at the location
of the find, additional work such
as data recovery excavation may
be warranted, as deemed
necessary by the paleontologist.

RM-3a: Coordinate with the
SCAQMD to further reduce smog
pollution and mitigate major
stationary sources of air pollution
in the city.

RM-3 ▲▲ Program Public Works

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-26 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
RM-3b: As applicable, review new
residential and nonresidential
development projects during the
CEQA process for potential air
quality impacts to residences and
other sensitive receptors.

RM-3 Procedure
Community &
Economic
Development
RM-3c: Integrate smart
technology equipment into urban
infrastructure that can monitor
and provide real time air quality
data.

RM-3 ▲▲
Capital
Improvement
Plan
Public Works
RM-3d: Conduct educational
outreach to residential and
business community
stakeholders about air quality
standards, air pollution impact on
physical health and the
environment, and best practices
to improve overall air quality.

RM-3 ▲▲ Outreach
Community &
Economic
Development
RM-3e: Identify state, federal,
and non-governmental
organizations that provide grant
funding for clean air projects.

RM-3 ▲ Grant
Application
Community &
Economic
Development
RM-4a: Implement the local GHG
reduction measures identified in
the City of Lomita 2018 Climate
Action Plan (CAP) and perform
on-going monitoring and
reporting of GHG reduction
impacts.

RM-4 ▲▲ Program Public Works
RM-4b: Continue to participate in
the South Bay Cities Council of
Governments’ (SBCCOG) climate
action planning process and
RM-4 ▲ Program Public Works

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-27 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
update Lomita’s CAP at least
every five years.

RM-4c: Explore incentives for city
contractors who invest in and use
low-emission equipment and
vehicles for city infrastructure
projects or establish minimum
requirements in the Municipal
Code.

RM-4 ▲▲ Program Public Works
RM-5a: As feasible, use
renewable energy sources at City
facilities.

RM-5 ▲▲
Capital
Improvement
Plan
Public Works
RM-5b: Organize and conduct
educational workshops with
utility companies informing the
public of the benefits of home
energy audits and energy saving
practices.

RM-5 ▲▲ Outreach Public Works
RM-5c: Conduct outreach events
with the SBCCOG to inform
residents and businesses about
existing programs and incentives
that are offered for energy
efficiency.

RM-5 ▲▲ Outreach
Community &
Economic
Development
RM-5d: Continue to review
development projects to ensure
that all new residential and
nonresidential development
complies with local and state
regulations regarding energy
efficiency.

RM-5 Procedure
Community &
Economic
Development
RM-5e: Consider adopting
minimum energy efficiency
requirements in the Zoning Code.

RM-5 ▲▲
Ordinance/
Code
Amendment
Community &
Economic
Development

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-28 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
RM-6a: Continue to work closely
with the California State Division
of Drinking Water, the Los
Angeles Regional Water Quality
Control Board, and other
agencies to identify the potential
source of benzene contamination
detected at Well No.5 through
extensive testing. This testing
may include identification and
investigation of potential sources
both inside and outside the city,
extensive sampling, boring, and
monitoring of likely sources in
the area, and ongoing monitoring
of soil and water levels.

RM-6 Assessment Public Works
RM-6b: Implement regular
monitoring and reporting
procedures to track water
consumption trends, identify
inefficiencies, and gauge the
impact of water conservation
measures.

RM-6 ▲▲ Program Public Works
RM-6c: Conduct public outreach
to inform residents and
businesses about the importance
of stormwater management,
including providing practical tips
and resources to reduce local
runoffs.

RM-6 ▲▲ Outreach Public Works
RM-6d: Conduct feasibility
studies to evaluate the potential
for expanding recycled water
infrastructure within the city.

RM-6 ▲▲ Study Public Works
RM-6e: Adopt the State’s updated
drought resistant landscape
guidelines in the Zoning Code.

RM-6 ▲
Ordinance/
Code
Amendment
Community &
Economic
Development

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-29 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
RM-6f: Conduct a comprehensive
assessment of the current water
distribution system, and identity
areas in need of improvement to
guide the development of a more
efficient water distribution
system.

RM-6 ▲▲▲ Study Public Works
RM-7a: Continue to comply with
State law to ensure solid waste
collection activities, operation of
waste reduction and recycling
programs, and household
hazardous waste disposal and
education programs are
consistent with the Los Angeles
Countywide Integrated Waste
Management Plan.

RM-7 Procedure Public Works
RM-7b: Regularly monitor the
level of services provided by
waste and recycling collection
contractors to ensure that service
levels meet the terms of the
contract.

RM-7 Procedure Public Works
RM-7c: Use educational flyers
and workshops to inform
residents of the proper method
to dispose hazardous waste that
includes paint, tires, medications,
medical sharps, infectious waste,
asbestos waste, construction
waste, and electronic waste.

RM-7 ▲ Outreach Public Works
RM-7d: Coordinate with
developers and contractors to
identify opportunities for waste
diversion and recycling during
the project construction phase.

RM-7 Procedure Public Works

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
RM-30 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
RM-7e: Work with the school
district, community
organizations, and businesses to
develop educational programs on
waste reduction strategies.

RM-7 ▲▲ Partnership Public Works
NOISE
2024
NOISE
N-2 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
This page intentionally left blank.

NOISE
N-3 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN

INTRODUCTION TO NOISE
Noise is generally defined as loud, unpleasant,
unexpected, or undesired sound and can disrupt
the way people live and work. The effects of noise
depend on its loudness, duration, and the time of
day. Many sources of excessive noise, such as
construction equipment and high-volume
transportation corridors, also produce excessive
vibration, which can adversely affect health and
well-being. Based on the known effects of noise
and vibration, local, state, and federal government
agencies have established noise thresholds to
protect public health and safety.

Certain land uses are more sensitive to higher
levels of noise and vibration. Residential uses,
schools, libraries, healthcare centers, senior
homes, and recreational areas are much more
sensitive to noise than commercial and industrial
uses. Locating new development of any of these
sensitive receptors in the vicinity of noise-intensive
commercial or industrial uses can adversely affect
sensitive receptors and is considered a potential
land use conflict. The goals and policies in this
element promote a healthy noise environment in
Lomita for sensitive receptors and commercial and
industrial uses.

The overall purpose of the Noise Element is to
address major noise sources and to promote safe
and comfortable noise levels throughout the
community. The Noise Element contains goals,
policies, and actions that seek to reduce
community exposure to excessive noise levels
through noise control standards and regulations.

Organization of Element
The Noise Element will address each of
the topics below as they relate to
Lomita. The goals and policies of this
element are organized around the
following topics:
o Noise Compatibility
o Noise Generators
“ The overall purpose
of the Noise Element
is to address major
noise sources and to
promote safe and
comfortable noise
levels throughout
the community.”
Sound is measured in
decibels (dB). However,
the perceived loudness
of sound is dependent
upon many factors. Aweighted sound level
(dBA) quantifies the
relative loudness of
sounds as perceived by
the human ear.

NOISE
N-4 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Acoustic Terminology
Stationary noise means a source of sound or combination of sources of sound that are included and normally operated within the property lines of a facility. Common examples include heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, loading docks, and machinery.

Stationary Noise
A-weighted decibels (dBA) are a numerical expression of the relative loudness of sounds in air as perceived by the human ear.

A-weighted decibels (dBA)
Average noise exposure over a 24-hour period is presented as a day-night average sound level, or Ldn.

Average Noise Exposure
Sensitive receptors are noise sensitive locations and uses where nuisance noise from nearby stationary, non-transportation, and transportation noise sources may adversely affect human activity. Examples include residential areas, schools, hospitals, personal care, and public assembly uses.

Sensitive Receptors
Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) measures the average equivalent A-weighted sound level during a 24-hour day, obtained after the addition of five decibels to sound levels in the evening from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and after the addition of ten decibels to sound levels in the night between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL)
NOISE
N-5 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL N-1
Noise levels within the community can affect the
everyday quality of life for people who live, work, and visit Lomita. Considering the relationship between
land uses and ensuring potential conflicts are
addressed early in the planning and design process
can minimize or avoid detrimental noise impacts.

N-1 Policies
N-1.1 Sensitive Uses. Protect noise-sensitive land
uses from excessive, unsafe, or otherwise
disruptive noise levels.

N-1.2 Noise Standards. Adopt, maintain, and
enforce regulations that establish the
acceptable noise standards identified in
Table N-1.

N-1.3 Noise Exposure. Consider the noise
compatibility of existing and future
development when making land use
planning decisions. Require development
and infrastructure projects to be consistent
with the land use compatibility standards
contained in Table N-1 and the Lomita
Municipal Code to facilitate acceptable noise
exposure levels for existing and future
development.

Noise Compatibility
Ensure compatibility between new
development projects, existing
adjacent land uses, and envisioned
future noise conditions.

NOISE
N-6 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
N-1.4 Noise Mitigation. Require new
development to mitigate excessive
noise to the standards indicated in
Table N-1 and the Lomita Municipal
Code.

N-1.5 Acoustical Studies. Consider
requiring acoustical studies for new
discretionary developments and
transportation improvements that
have the potential to affect existing
noise-sensitive uses such as residential
areas, schools, libraries, and
healthcare facilities and for projects
that would introduce new noisesensitive uses into an area where existing noise levels may exceed the
thresholds identified in this element.

For projects required to first prepare
an acoustical study, the following
mobile and stationary noise source
criteria shall be used to determine the
significance of those impacts.

A. Mobile Noise Sources:
● Where existing traffic noise
levels are within or below the
“normally acceptable” noise
criteria at the affected land use
(see Table N-1), a readily
perceptible 5 dBA CNEL or
greater increase in roadway
noise will be considered
significant;
● Where existing traffic noise
levels fall within the
“conditionally acceptable”
noise criteria at a sensitive land
use, a +3 dBA CNEL or greater
increase in roadway noise
levels will be considered
significant; and
● Where existing traffic noise
levels exceed the “conditionally
acceptable” noise criteria at a
sensitive land use, a +1.5 dBA
CNEL or greater increase in
roadway noise levels will be
considered significant.

B. Stationary and Non-Transportation
Noise Sources:
● A significant impact will occur if
a project results in an
exceedance of the noise level
standards contained in this
element, or the project will
result in an increase in ambient
noise levels by more than 3 dB,
whichever is greater.

N-1.6 Mixed-Use Development. Ensure that
mixed-use structures and projects are
designed to prevent transfer of noise
and vibration from non-residential
areas to residential areas.

N-1.7 Roadway Noise. Encourage
nonmotorized transportation
alternatives for local trips and the
implementation of noise sensitivity
measures in the public realm, including
traffic-calming road design, natural
buffers, and setbacks to decrease
excessive motor vehicle noise.

N-1.8 Enforcement. In cases where the City’s
noise standards are exceeded,
dedicate code enforcement resources
to ensure compliance.

NOISE
N-7 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
N-1.9 Regional Noise Impacts. Coordinate
with neighboring cities and
transportation providers such as
Caltrans to minimize regional traffic
noise and noise conflicts between land
uses along the city's boundaries.

N-1 Actions
N-1a Monitor changes in the California
Building Code and other federal and
state laws and regulations related to
noise and incorporate necessary
changes into the municipal building
codes as required.

N-1b Review the Lomita Municipal Code and
update as necessary so that the noise
standards are consistent with this
General Plan, including Table N-1, and
to require new residential, mixed-use
with a residential component, and
other noise-sensitive development to
be designed to minimize noise
exposure to noise sensitive uses
through incorporation of site planning
and architectural techniques. Noise
standards for residential uses within a
mixed-use development may differ
from other adopted residential noise
standards.

N-1c Review new development and
transportation projects for compliance
with the noise requirements
established in this General Plan,
including the standards established in
Table N-1 and the Lomita Municipal
Code. Where necessary, require new
development to mitigate excessive
noise through best practices, including
building location and orientation,
building design features, placement of
noise-generating equipment away
from sensitive receptors, shielding of
noise-generating equipment,
placement of noise-tolerant features
between noise sources and sensitive
receptors, and use of noise-minimizing
materials.

N-1d For discretionary projects with the
potential to generate noise impacts
which exceed the standards identified
in this General Plan, require
preparation of acoustical studies. The
studies shall include representative
noise measurements, estimates of
existing and projected noise levels, and
mitigation measures necessary to
facilitate General Plan compliance.

N-1e Review the locations of proposed
projects with the potential to generate
stationary noise in relation to sensitive
receptors through the discretionary
project review process. Limit delivery or
service hours for stores and businesses
with loading areas, docks, or trash bins
that front, side, border, or gain access
on driveways next to residential and
other noise sensitive areas. Only
approve exceptions if the project
demonstrates full compliance with the
nighttime limits of the noise regulations.

NOISE
N-8 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Table N-1: Land Use Compatibility for Community Noise Exposure Land Use Category Community Noise Exposure (Ldn or CNEL, dB) 55 60 65 70 75 80
Residential – Low Density Single Family, Duplex,
Mobile Home
Residential – Multi-Family
Hotels, Motels
Schools, Libraries, Churches, Hospitals, Personal
Care
Auditoriums, Concert Halls, Amphitheaters
Sports Arena, Outdoor Spectator Sports
Neighborhood Parks and Playgrounds
Office Buildings, Commercial, Professional,
Medical Office, Food and Beverage, Service
Industrial, Manufacturing, Utilities, Agriculture

NORMALLY ACCEPTABLE
Specified land use is satisfactory, based upon the assumption that any buildings involved are of normal conventional construction, without any special noise insulation requirements.

CONDITIONALLY ACCEPTABLE
New construction or development should be undertaken only after a detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements is made and needed noise insulation features included in the design.

NORMALLY UNACCEPTABLE
New construction or development should generally be discouraged. If new construction or development does proceed, a detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements must be made and needed noise insulation features included in the design.

CLEARLY UNACCEPTABLE
New construction or development should generally not be undertaken.

Note: Where a proposed use is not specifically listed, the use shall comply with the standards for the most similar use as determined by the City.

NOISE
N-9 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL N-2
Certain activities and types of uses are known to
generate high levels of noise and vibration that can
negatively impact surrounding areas, including:
stationary sources, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, loading docks, and
machinery; mobile sources, such as cars and airplanes;
and construction noise. The following policies and
actions address specific sources of excessive noise and vibration through strategies designed to reduce and
limit community noise exposure.

N-2 Policies
N-2.1 Stationary Noise. Minimize noise impacts
from stationary sources, including
commercial and industrial facilities adjacent
to residential uses or zones where
residential uses are permitted.

N-2.2 Transportation Related Noise. Reduce
noise generated from traffic and transit to
the extent feasible.

N-2.3 Torrance Municipal Airport. Work with the
Airport Land Use Commission to ensure that
local noise concerns are proactively
addressed.

N-2.4 Construction Noise. Require construction
activities to minimize noise and vibration
impacts to reduce disturbance from new
development and enforce limits on
construction hours as included in the Lomita
Municipal Code.

Noise Generators
Minimize noise and vibration from
stationary and mobile sources.

NOISE
N-10 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
N-2.5 Temporary Emergency Operations
and Emergency Equipment Usage.

Ensure that temporary emergency
operations or emergency equipment
usage are exempt from noise
standard criteria set by this Element.

N-2.6 Special Events. Temporary special
events which generate noise in
excess of local noise standards
including, but not limited to, festivals,
concerts, parades, and other similar
activities may be considered on a
case-by-case basis through issuance
of a temporary use permit.

N-2.7 Vibration Studies. Require vibration
impact studies when warranted for
new discretionary development and
transportation improvements when
construction utilizes pile drivers or
vibratory rollers near existing
buildings.

N-2.8 Community Education. Provide
education to the community
regarding potential noise sources
and how to reduce them or report
violations.

N-2 Actions
N-2a Actively enforce the noise standards
identified within the Lomita
Municipal Code to reduce impacts to
the extent feasible. Update and
amend the Lomita Municipal Code as
appropriate, including the
construction noise standards.

N-2b Continue to monitor development
projects in adjacent jurisdictions and
comment on projects with the
potential for noise impacts in Lomita.

N-2c Dedicate code enforcement
resources to ensuring all
construction activity complies with
the limits (i.e., maximum noise levels,
hours and days of allowed activity)
established by the Lomita Municipal
Code to reduce temporary
construction noise impacts to the
extent feasible.

N-2d Enforce the provisions of the most
current California Motor Vehicle
Code regarding muffler maintenance
and exhaust systems.

N-2e Evaluate the City’s noise complaint
and response process. Consider
developing a procedure for residents
to file noise complaints online
against activities and uses that may
be in violation of the Municipal Code.

N-2f Require vibration impact studies for
all new discretionary projects,
including those related to
development and transportation,
when construction utilizes pile
drivers within 200 feet of existing
buildings or vibratory rollers within
50 feet of existing buildings. The
studies shall include a detailed
mitigation plan to avoid any potential
significant impacts to existing
structures due to groundborne
vibrations, based on the California
Department of Transportation’s
Construction Vibration Guidance
Manual.

NOISE
N-11 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Implementation Matrix
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
N-1a: Monitor changes in the
California Building Code and other
federal and state laws and
regulations related to noise and
incorporate necessary changes
into the municipal building codes
as required.

N-1 Procedure
Community &
Economic
Development
N-1b: Review the Lomita
Municipal Code and update as
necessary so that the noise
standards are consistent with this
General Plan, including Table N-1,
and to require new residential,
mixed-use with a residential
component, and other noisesensitive development to be
designed to minimize noise
exposure to noise sensitive uses
through incorporation of site
planning and architectural
techniques. Noise standards for
residential uses within a mixeduse development may differ from other adopted residential noise
standards.

N-1 ▲
Ordinance/
Code
Amendment
Community &
Economic
Development
N-1c: Review new development
and transportation projects for
compliance with the noise
requirements established in this
General Plan, including the
standards established in Table N-1
and the Lomita Municipal Code.

Where necessary, require new
development to mitigate
excessive noise through best
practices, including building
location and orientation, building
design features, placement of
N-1 Procedure
Community &
Economic
Development,
Public Works
Timeframes will
be represented
with the following
symbols:

Short-term
1-5 years
▲
Medium-term
5-10 years
▲▲
Long-term
10+ years
▲▲▲
On-going
NOISE
N-12 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
noise-generating equipment away
from sensitive receptors, shielding
of noise-generating equipment,
placement of noise-tolerant
features between noise sources
and sensitive receptors, and use
of noise-minimizing materials.

N-1d: For discretionary projects
with the potential to generate
noise impacts which exceed the
standards identified in this
General Plan, require preparation
of acoustical studies. The studies
shall include representative noise
measurements, estimates of
existing and projected noise
levels, and mitigation measures
necessary to facilitate General
Plan compliance.

N-1 Procedure
Community &
Economic
Development
N-1e: Review the locations of
proposed projects with the
potential to generate stationary
noise in relation to sensitive
receptors through the
discretionary project review
process. Limit delivery or service
hours for stores and businesses
with loading areas, docks, or trash
bins that front, side, border, or
gain access on driveways next to
residential and other noise
sensitive areas. Only approve
exceptions if the project
demonstrates full compliance with
the nighttime limits of the noise
regulations.

N-1 Procedure
Community &
Economic
Development
N-2a: Actively enforce the noise
standards identified within the
Lomita Municipal Code to reduce
impacts to the extent feasible.

N-2 Procedure
Community &
Economic
Development,
NOISE
N-13 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
Update and amend the Lomita
Municipal Code as appropriate,
including the construction noise
standards.

Code
Enforcement
N-2b: Continue to monitor
development projects in adjacent
jurisdictions and comment on
projects with the potential for
noise impacts in Lomita.

N-2 Procedure
Community &
Economic
Development
N-2c: Dedicate code enforcement
resources to ensuring all
construction activity complies with
the limits (i.e., maximum noise
levels, hours and days of allowed
activity) established by the Lomita
Municipal Code to reduce
temporary construction noise
impacts to the extent feasible.

N-2 Procedure
Community &
Economic
Development,
Code
Enforcement
N-2d: Enforce the provisions of
the most current California Motor
Vehicle Code regarding muffler
maintenance and exhaust
systems.

N-2 Procedure Public Works
N-2e: Evaluate the City’s noise
complaint and response process.

Consider developing a procedure
for residents to file noise
complaints online against
activities and uses that may be in
violation of the Municipal Code.

N-2 ▲ Assessment Code
Enforcement
N-2f: Require vibration impact
studies for all new discretionary
projects, including those related
to development and
transportation, when construction
utilizes pile drivers within 200 feet
N-2 Procedure
Community &
Economic
Development,
Public Works
NOISE
N-14 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
of existing buildings or vibratory
rollers within 50 feet of existing
buildings. The studies shall
include a detailed mitigation plan
to avoid any potential significant
impacts to existing structures due
to groundborne vibrations, based
on the California Department of
Transportation’s Construction
Vibration Guidance Manual.

ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT
2024

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ED-2 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
This page intentionally left blank.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ED-3 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN

INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT
The Economic Development Element is intended to
guide the City’s future policy decisions in service of
supporting and strengthening the local economy.

The Economic Development Element is not a
required element for a General Plan, but the City
has decided to include it in recognition that
promoting economic vibrancy and resiliency is a
central aspect of planning for Lomita’s future.

While presented as a separate chapter, the policies
contained within the Economic Development
Element are intertwined with those found in the
other elements of the General Plan. Decisions
made around the topics of the other elements,
(land use, mobility, housing, and open space)
necessarily impact economic development and
vice-versa.

Given market conditions and trends in Lomita and
its location within the region, this element
identifies key areas in which the City has the
greatest opportunity to promote economic
stability and development. The Economic
Development goals and policies are focused on
areas of opportunity and underscore the City’s
commitment to being a place where workers,
residents, visitors, and businesses can
thrive, today and into the future. The
policies result in suggested actions that can
support implementation. The actions are
not intended as programmatic, as the most
appropriate implementation measure may
evolve based on State law, economic
conditions, and other factors.

Organization of Element
The Economic Development Element is
organized into five goal topics, as
follows:
o Revitalize Lomita’s Mixed-Use
Commercial Corridors
o Economic Diversification
o Business Community Support
o Workforce Development and
Retention
o Fiscal Sustainability
Economic Development Paradigm

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ED-0 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Key Opportunities and Challenges
The Economic Development Element was created using local and regional stakeholder input, suggestions from the City’s General Plan Advisory Committee, and research and analysis contained in the Lomita General Plan Update: Existing Socioeconomic, Demographic, and Market Conditions and Trends report and the Overview of Fiscal Trends and Fiscal Impact Analysis of Proposed General Plan Land Use Alternatives memorandum, completed in 2023 as part of the General Plan Update process.

Given Lomita’s market and fiscal conditions, the documents identified several key opportunities and challenges impacting economic growth and development in the city, including education, retail, and property tax.

Lomita residents earn less than the average wage for the South Bay Region, in part reflecting lower levels of educational attainment. Residents largely work in healthcare, retail, education, and manufacturing, which have many occupations not requiring post-secondary education degrees.

Education
The City is experiencing spending “leakage” in nearly all retail categories, suggesting opportunities for targeted growth in retail categories that serve residents of both Lomita and the surrounding communities. Although the city is unlikely to attract a major regional shopping center given the relatively competitive regional landscape, opportunities exist for growth in more experiential environments with a mix of dining, entertainment, and local/small businesses, bolstered by special programming and a sense of place.

Retail
Lomita receives a relatively modest allocation of property tax revenue compared to the countywide average. A lack of new development, redevelopment of existing properties, and/or property ownership turn-over through market transactions also contribute to lower property tax revenue. City-adopted plans and policies that support new development and/or the redevelopment and reuse of underutilized property can drive property tax revenue growth.

Property Tax

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ED-1 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL ED-1
Major commercial activity corridors have the potential
to drive economic diversification, anchor business
activity, and generally open the city to increased
economic opportunity. By enhancing the city’s mixeduse corridors for different target audiences, Lomita can promote economic activity that serves the needs
of residents, workers, and visitors alike. Although there exist limited opportunities for the development of
large retail centers in the city given market forces and land availability, the trend in retail use is shifting away from brick-and-mortar shopping in favor of ecommerce for many types of goods. This has created new opportunities for retail growth in smaller-scale
experiential environments with a mix of dining,
entertainment, and local/small destination-oriented
businesses. Enabling more intense development of
mixed-use spaces along corridors and investing in
corridor marketing and infrastructure can generate
employment and daytime activity that can support a
wide range of businesses with an established
customer base. Such opportunities in turn will
enhance the City’s overall business prospects and
economic base.

ED-1 Policies
ED-1.1 Intensification. Promote mixed-use
development, including outdoor dining and
other entertainment uses, along the
commercial corridors to build a sense of
place.

Corridor Revitalization
Enhance successful corridors
for commerce and mixed-use
development.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ED-2 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
ED-1.2 Streetscape Improvements.

Enhance aesthetics and “curb
appeal” of the commercial corridors
with strategic investments such as
landscaping, outdoor lighting,
wayfinding, entry and building
façade improvements, and other
initiatives that increase the corridors’
attractiveness for businesses and
consumers.

ED-1.3 Intentional Business Types.

Promote businesses that will serve to
attract visitors from across the
region as well as support the local
needs of residents.

ED-1.4 Downtown Improvements.

Promote businesses and land uses at
the Lomita Boulevard and Narbonne
Avenue intersection and along the
corridors that align with the
Downtown Vision Plan and establish
a downtown identity.

ED-1.5 Pacific Coast Highway
Improvements. Promote
businesses along Pacific Coast
Highway that can attract and serve
pass-through commuters.

ED-1.6 Accessibility. Enhance city and
regional connectivity along the
commercial corridors and other
major city thoroughfares.

ED-1.7 Branding Strategy. Intentionally
create and cultivate distinctive
branding for the city’s commercial
areas.

ED-1 Actions
ED-1a Identify underdeveloped or
underutilized sites and buildings in
commercial corridors that represent
redevelopment opportunities.

ED-1b Improve redevelopment potential of
opportunity sites by engaging with
and educating property owners,
finding strategic opportunities for
parcel consolidation, and facilitating
investor “matchmaking” through a
public online inventory and other
efforts.

ED-1c Explore additional in-lieu fees and
adopt development agreements that
reallocate investment into the public
realm.

ED-1d Encourage development of mixeduse spaces in high-activity areas and corridors through zoning changes
and incentive programs (e.g., density
bonuses and other concessions).

ED-1e Implement strategies and actions in
the Housing Element that promote
the development of diverse housing
options in targeted areas along the
corridors to enhance economic
activity and accessibility for
residents.

ED-1f Pursue funding from local, state, and
federal sources to support storefront
and streetscape improvements.

ED-1g Invest in multimodal transportation
and streetscape infrastructure along
commercial corridors to improve the
commute experience between
businesses.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ED-3 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
ED-1h Conduct and implement a branding
study that is consistent with and
reinforces the marketing efforts,
streetscape improvements, and
other initiatives described herein.

ED-1i Implement a marketing strategy to
promote the city’s commercial areas
to attract visitors from neighboring
jurisdictions.

ED-1j Revisit and implement strategies
presented in Lomita’s Downtown
Vision Plan.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ED-4 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL ED-2
A diversified economy makes cities stronger and more
resilient in the face of changing economic trends.

Businesses in today’s economy are highly mobile and
firms consider a variety of factors when deciding
where to locate or relocate, including the ease with
which a firm can establish itself and operate in the city and the level of a city’s investment in and
responsiveness to its business community. Creating an
attractive environment for businesses requires
intentional work and coordination by the City. To foster a healthy economic climate, Lomita should position
itself to accommodate and expand on its current
strengths and industry clusters, while also finding
opportunities to capture jobs in industries growing
regionally that can improve job opportunities for
residents.

ED-2 Policies
ED-2.1 Desirable Space and Locations. Promote
the development of space that serves the
needs of smaller businesses, such as mixeduse projects that blend complementary retail and office uses with residential uses and
create dynamic live/work/play
environments.

ED-2.2 Expand Existing Strengths. Leverage
existing industry clusters in healthcare to
drive future growth.

Economic Diversification
Promote job growth, economic
stability, and fiscal sustainability with a
strong and diversified economic base.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ED-5 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
ED-2.3 Regional Growth Capture. Target
outreach to businesses in industry
sectors that are growing regionally,
particularly those with higher-paying
jobs that can provide increased
opportunity for Lomita residents.

ED-2.4 Infrastructure. Identify and address
infrastructure needs that support
commercial development.

ED-2 Actions
ED-2a Review and maintain a Zoning Code
that supports investment and
innovation in the city.

ED-2b Use local revenue sources as well as
state and federal grants and other
financing tools to fund capital
improvements and the
redevelopment of targeted
commercial areas.

ED-2c Expand the development of medical
office space and other associated
land use types and engage in
dialogue with regional healthcare
businesses looking to expand.

ED-2d Develop and implement strategies to
attract regionally-growing, higherpaying industries in sectors such as professional services, finance, and
information to locate in the city,
including outreach to targeted
businesses and industry
organizations.

ED-2e Perform a baseline analysis to
identify industry niches that are wellsuited for the city and periodically update the analysis based on local
and regional trends.

ED-2f Identify market surpluses and
leakages in Lomita’s local economy
to better understand which
industries are present and/or absent
compared to peer cities and to
inform targeted business attraction
activities.

ED-2g Explore public-private partnerships
and/or catalytic development
projects to anchor and spur growth
building on the city’s existing assets.

ED-2h Develop a five-year economic
development strategic plan to
design, manage, and implement
short- and medium-term economic
development priorities for the City.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ED-6 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL ED-3
One of the City’s most vital assets is its existing
economic base. Supporting existing local businesses
so that they can thrive, grow, and adapt to changing
economic conditions will not only help those
businesses and their employees, but also demonstrate
to other businesses that Lomita is a desirable place to locate. This support extends to residents and workers
who may be looking to establish or grow a small
business in the city.

ED-3 Policies
ED-3.1 Partnerships. Create and maintain avenues
and forums through which Lomita’s business
community, elected officials, City staff, and
civic organizations can discuss economic
development issues.

ED-3.2 Processes. Streamline support for local
businesses and remove potential barriers to
expansion.

ED-3.3 Resources. Provide the business community
with easily accessible information on
available resources to support their growth
and development, including those aimed at
entrepreneurship and small businesses.

ED-3.4 Entrepreneurship. Educate and support
local and regional entrepreneurs in
establishing and expanding small and local
businesses.

Business Community Support
Support, promote, and celebrate local
business.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ED-7 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
ED-3 Actions
ED-3a Meet regularly with representatives
of the city’s business community,
including the Lomita Chamber of
Commerce, to solicit feedback on
how to improve the business
environment, cement effective
relationships, and help both existing
and new businesses overcome
challenges.

ED-3b Support collaborative partnerships
and networks between and among
businesses locally and regionally to
create a robust business ecosystem.

ED-3c Identify ways to simplify and
streamline permitting for new and
expanding businesses.

ED-3d Maintain and regularly update the
City’s public-facing sources of
information, including webpages,
social media, and other platforms to
offer accessible and up-to-date
information for the business
community and explore
opportunities for direct face-to-face
assistance.

ED-3e Develop a webpage on the City’s
website that lists and promotes all
businesses located and operating
within Lomita.

ED-3f Create space and/or programs that
support entrepreneurs and start-up
businesses, such as business
incubators and low-cost co-working
space.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ED-8 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL ED-4
ED-4 Policies
ED-4.1 Workforce as an Economic Driver. Pursue
strategies and programs for enhancing
education and workforce skills aligned with
growing local and regional industries.

ED-4.2 Workforce as Social Mobility. Promote
training, education, and labor support
programs that enhance the city’s labor force
skills, assist residents in obtaining new
employment opportunities, and grow
household incomes.

ED-4.3 Housing Choices. Develop land use policies
that facilitate development of housing
affordable to a range of household types and
incomes to diversify the local labor force and
promote long-term residential stability.

ED-4 Actions
ED-4a Partner with regional education institutions
and local secondary schools to strengthen
skills in the workforce pipeline, including job
training and placement for the homeless.

ED-4b Develop and implement strategies to attract
higher-paying industries to locate in the city,
including outreach to targeted businesses
and industry organizations.

ED-4c Convene major local and regional
employers to solicit guidance on
how the City can support
partnerships and develop policies
and programs to create a strong
workforce pipeline.

ED-4d Prepare for international events
coming to the region such as the
World Cup and the Olympics by
creating associated events,
promoting the use of local
businesses, and enticing visitors to
utilize Lomita accommodations.

Workforce Development &
Retention
Invest in the economic success of the
community and our people.

The presence of a workforce aligned with
the needs of the local economy,
particularly growth sectors, is a major
component in business retention and
expansion and in building prosperity in the
community. Currently, residents of Lomita
earn slightly lower wages on average than
South Bay residents overall, and also have
lower levels of educational attainment
than the region as a whole. The City should
look to enhance education and workforce
development opportunities for residents
to help improve social mobility, grow
community wealth, and bolster economic
vibrancy. Aligning the resident workforce’s
skills with the needs of the businesses of
today and tomorrow will have a critical
impact on the expansion and
diversification of the City’s economy.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ED-9 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
GOAL ED-5
The fiscal health of the City is dependent on long-term sustainability of the City’s revenue sources and
management of its expenditures. The City’s fiscal
conditions impact its ability to plan, manage, and pay
for public services and investments, including many of
the economic development initiatives described
herein. Lomita, like most cities in California, relies on a handful of revenues sources—such as sales tax,
property tax in lieu of vehicle license fee, and property tax—to fund day-to-day municipal operations. A
diverse set of revenue sources will help protect the
City’s budget from downturns in particular revenuegenerating activities. Simultaneously, new development will generate additional needs for City
services and infrastructure for which the City will need to plan through thoughtful and strategic financial
management.

ED-5 Policies
ED-5.1 Retail Support. Promote additional retail
development to increase sales tax revenues
and expand retail amenities available to
residents, employers, and visitors.

ED-5.2 Hotels. Identify target opportunity areas for
new hotel development that can generate
additional transient occupancy tax.

ED-5.3 Property Tax. Identify redevelopment
opportunities to increase the city’s overall
assessed property value and generate
additional property tax.

Fiscal Sustainability
Pursue fiscal sustainability through
sound financial management and
diversification.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ED-10 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
ED-5.4 Impacts of New Development.

Pursue strategies that ensure new
development adequately and fairly
mitigates its impacts on city
infrastructure and service costs.

ED-5.5 Funding. Pursue a range of public,
private, and non-profit funding
sources to fund community
revitalization and economic
development activities.

ED-5.6 Cost Control. Carefully manage City
costs through judicious expansion of
municipal services and
infrastructure.

ED-5 Actions
ED-5a Adopt plans and policies that
support new development and/or
the redevelopment and reuse of
property that is underutilized.

ED-5b Monitor market conditions,
specifically along Pacific Coast
Highway, to be ready to promote the
development of new hotels when it is
economically feasible.

ED-5c Require analysis of fiscal implications
of new development and request
fiscal mitigations as needed to
ensure adequate public service
levels can be provided over the long
term.

ED-5d Conduct regular studies and updates
of the City’s development impact fee
levels to ensure that fees on new
development are adequate to cover
fair share of costs for future
infrastructure needs.

ED-5e Create a strategy to build City
financial reserves to access during
economic downturns.

ED-5f Continue to investigate and pursue
revenue sources, such as state and
federal funding programs, that do
not add to the tax burden of
residents or local businesses.

ED-5g Ensure a strong economic base
through requirement of commercial
and industrial uses along the city’s
commercial corridors.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ED-11 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
Implementation Matrix
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
ED-1a: Identify underdeveloped
or underutilized sites and
buildings in commercial corridors
that represent redevelopment
opportunities.

ED-1 ▲ Assessment
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-1b: Improve redevelopment
potential of opportunity sites by
engaging with and educating
property owners, finding strategic
opportunities for parcel
consolidation, and facilitating
investor “matchmaking” through
a public online inventory and
other efforts.

ED-1 ▲ Program
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-1c: Explore additional in-lieu
fees and adopt development
agreements that reallocate
investment into the public realm.

ED-1 ▲ Program
City Manager’s
Office,
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-1d: Encourage development
of mixed-use spaces in highactivity areas and corridors through zoning changes and
incentive programs (e.g., density
bonuses and other concessions).

ED-1 ▲
Ordinance/
Code
Amendment
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-1e: Implement strategies and
actions in the Housing Element
that promote the development of
diverse housing options in
targeted areas along the
corridors to enhance economic
activity and accessibility for
residents.

ED-1 ▲ Program
Community &
Economic
Development
Timeframes will
be represented
with the following
symbols:

Short-term
1-5 years
▲
Medium-term
5-10 years
▲▲
Long-term
10+ years
▲▲▲
On-going

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ED-12 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
ED-1f: Pursue funding from local,
state, and federal sources to
support storefront and
streetscape improvements.

ED-1 ▲▲ Program
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-1g: Invest in multimodal
transportation and streetscape
infrastructure along commercial
corridors to improve the
commute experience between
businesses.

ED-1 ▲▲
Capital
Improvement
Plan
Public Works
ED-1h: Conduct and implement a
branding study that is consistent
with and reinforces the marketing
efforts, streetscape
improvements, and other
initiatives described herein.

ED-1 ▲ Program
City Manager’s
Office,
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-1i: Implement a marketing
strategy to promote the city’s
commercial areas to attract
visitors from neighboring
jurisdictions.

ED-1 ▲ Program
City Manager’s
Office,
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-1j: Revisit and implement
strategies presented in Lomita’s
Downtown Vision Plan.

ED-1 ▲ Program
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-2a: Review and maintain a
Zoning Code that supports
investment and innovation in the
city.

ED-2 ▲
Ordinance/
Code
Amendment
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-2b: Use local revenue sources
as well as state and federal grants
and other financing tools to fund
capital improvements and the
redevelopment of targeted
commercial areas.

ED-2 ▲
Capital
Improvement
Plan, Grant
Application
Public Works

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ED-13 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
ED-2c: Expand the development
of medical office space and other
associated land use types and
engage in dialogue with regional
healthcare businesses looking to
expand.

ED-2 ▲▲ Program
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-2d: Develop and implement
strategies to attract regionallygrowing, higher-paying industries in sectors such as professional
services, finance, and information
to locate in the city, including
outreach to targeted businesses
and industry organizations.

ED-2 ▲▲ Program
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-2e: Perform a baseline
analysis to identify industry
niches that are well-suited for the
city and periodically update the
analysis based on local and
regional trends.

ED-2 ▲ Study
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-2f: Identify market surpluses
and leakages in Lomita’s local
economy to better understand
which industries are present
and/or absent compared to peer
cities and to inform targeted
business attraction activities.

ED-2 ▲ Study
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-2g: Explore public-private
partnerships and/or catalytic
development projects to anchor
and spur growth building on the
city’s existing assets.

ED-2 ▲▲ Program
City Manager’s
Office,
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-2h: Develop a five-year
economic development strategic
plan to design, manage, and
implement short- and mediumterm economic development
priorities for the City.

ED-2 ▲ Plan
City Manager’s
Office,
Community &
Economic
Development

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ED-14 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
ED-3a: Meet regularly with
representatives of the city’s
business community, including
the Lomita Chamber of
Commerce, to solicit feedback on
how to improve the business
environment, cement effective
relationships, and help both
existing and new businesses
overcome challenges.

ED-3 Outreach
City Manager’s
Office,
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-3b: Support collaborative
partnerships and networks
between and among businesses
locally and regionally to create a
robust business ecosystem.

ED-3 Partnership
City Manager’s
Office,
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-3c: Identify ways to simplify
and streamline permitting for
new and expanding businesses.

ED-3 ▲ Assessment
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-3d: Maintain and regularly
update the City’s public-facing
sources of information, including
webpages, social media, and
other platforms to offer
accessible and up-to-date
information for the business
community and explore
opportunities for direct face-toface assistance.

ED-3
Website
Update,
Program
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-3e: Develop a webpage on the
City’s website that lists and
promotes all businesses located
and operating within Lomita.

ED-3 ▲ Website
Update
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-3f: Create space and/or
programs that support
entrepreneurs and start-up
businesses, such as business
incubators and low-cost coworking space.

ED-3 ▲▲ Program
Community &
Economic
Development

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ED-15 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
ED-4a: Partner with regional
education institutions and local
secondary schools to strengthen
skills in the workforce pipeline,
including job training and
placement for the homeless.

ED-4 ▲▲ Partnership
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-4b: Develop and implement
strategies to attract higher-paying
industries to locate in the city,
including outreach to targeted
businesses and industry
organizations.

ED-4 ▲▲ Program
City Manager’s
Office,
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-4c: Convene major local and
regional employers to solicit
guidance on how the City can
support partnerships and
develop policies and programs to
create a strong workforce
pipeline.

ED-4 ▲▲ Focus Group
City Manager’s
Office,
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-4d: Prepare for international
events coming to the region such
as the World Cup and the
Olympics by creating associated
events, promoting the use of local
businesses, and enticing visitors
to utilize Lomita
accommodations.

ED-4 ▲ Program
City Manager’s
Office,
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-5a: Adopt plans and policies
that support new development
and/or the redevelopment and
reuse of property that is
underutilized.

ED-5 ▲ Program
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-5b: Monitor market
conditions, specifically along
Pacific Coast Highway, to be
ready to promote the
development of new hotels when
it is economically feasible.

ED-5 ▲▲ Assessment
Community &
Economic
Development

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ED-16 / LOMITA GENERAL PLAN
General Plan Actions
Associated
Goal Timeframe
Type of
Action
Primary
Responsibility Funding
ED-5c: Require analysis of fiscal
implications of new development
and request fiscal mitigations as
needed to ensure adequate
public service levels can be
provided over the long term.

ED-5 Procedure
Community &
Economic
Development
ED-5d: Conduct regular studies
and updates of the City’s
development impact fee levels to
ensure that fees on new
development are adequate to
cover fair share of costs for
future infrastructure needs.

ED-5 ▲ Study
Community &
Economic
Development,
Public Works
ED-5e: Create a strategy to build
City financial reserves to access
during economic downturns.

ED-5 ▲▲ Plan
City Manager’s
Office,
Administrative
Services
ED-5f: Continue to investigate
and pursue revenue sources,
such as state and federal funding
programs, that do not add to the
tax burden of residents or local
businesses.

ED-5 ▲ Program
City Manager’s
Office,
Administrative
Services
ED-5g: Ensure a strong economic
base through requirement of
commercial and industrial uses
along the city’s commercial
corridors.

ED-5 ▲ Program
City Manager’s
Office,
Community &
Economic
Development