MINUTES OF THE
LOMITA CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
JOINT STUDY SESSION WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2026
1. OPENING CEREMONIES
a. Call to Order
The special meeting of the Lomita City Council was called to order by Mayor Segawa at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, in the Council Chambers at Lomita City Hall, 24300 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, California.
b. Roll Call
PRESENT: Councilmembers Gazeley, Uphoff, Waronek, Mayor Pro Tem Waite (arrived at 9:36 a.m.), and Mayor Segawa
ABSENT: None
PLANNING COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Commissioners Cammarata, Dever, Graf, Santos, Steinbach, Vice-Chair Mattingly, and Chair Stephens ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Vialpando, City Attorney Rusin (arrived at 9:34 a.m.), Community and Economic Development Director Fernandez, and Deputy City Clerk Abbott
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Segawa announced the time for public comment. There being no requests to speak, Mayor Segawa closed public comment.
3. STUDY SESSION
a. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED PHASE 2 ZONING CODE UPDATES RELATED TO THE LOMITA GENERAL PLAN (No staff report)
City Manager Vialpando gave introductory remarks, and shared context and reasons for this meeting.
Perry Banner, Principal Planner, De Novo Group, outlined objective design standards (ODS) and their purpose, subjective vs. objective design standards, applicability of ODS with a focus on corridors such as Pacific Coast Highway, ODS for neighborhood compatibility, and lot consolidation regulations.
Discussion ensued related to the ODS checklist, whether ADUs can be built in front yards, and architectural styles.
Lomita City Council Special Meeting Minutes
January 13, 2026
Mr. Banner outlined lot consolidation regulations and types of incentives for consolidations.
Discussion ensued regarding the need for affordable housing and the potential for commercial growth on Pacific Coast Highway.
Mr. Banner outlined M-C (manufacturing-commercial) Zone development standards, the City’s sign ordinance including outdoor displays, parking regulations, and next steps.
The meeting recessed at 10:39 a.m.
The meeting reconvened at 10:48 a.m.
b. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED OFF-STREET COMMERCIAL PARKING RESTRICTIONS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES (No staff report) Director Fernandez outlined Lomita’s history related to subdivisions of land and development. He also spoke of parking requirements, Lomita Downtown Vision 2018, and the City’s General Plan 2024-2045.
Ken Hira, President, Kosmont Companies, shared some case studies his firm was involved with. He opined that flexibility is essential, as excessive onsite parking requirements can deter small businesses from opening.
Director Fernandez outlined the summarized recommendations, stating that Lomita is struggling because new businesses cannot meet the current parking requirements and it has been difficult finding retail enterprises to take over vacant commercial spaces.
Discussion ensued relative to potentially partnering with LAUSD to use school parking lots for paid after-hours public parking, as well as larger businesses that are closed evening hours.
c. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT RELATED FEES (No Staff report)
Director Fernandez discussed that existing impact taxes are different from impact fees, Lomita Downtown Vision 2018, the maximum justified impact fee schedule, a single-family comparable chart, recommended additional fees for sewers and parks to recoup infrastructure costs, sample impact fees, current impact taxes, and justifiable impact fees.
Discussion ensued related to having fees comparable to those of neighboring cities.
Carlos Villarreal, Principal, Willdan Financial Services, stated that impact fees typically fund roadway expansion, intersection improvements, and sometimes transit improvements.
Discussion ensued relative to the need for increased sewer infrastructure due to City growth and further expected growth in response to the state of California’s housing requirements.
Lomita City Council Special Meeting Minutes
January 13, 2026
City Manager Vialpando stated that staff will return to the City Council with recommendations based upon feedback received at this meeting.
4. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Segawa adjourned the meeting at 12:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
________________________________
Linda E. Abbott, CMC, Deputy City Clerk
Adopted: