Parking and Public Improvements Commission
Minutes of March 27, 2025 Page 1 of 3
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
PARKING AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS COMMISSION
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
March 27, 2025
A. CALL TO ORDER:
The regular meeting of the Parking and Public Improvements Commission (Commission) of the City of Manhattan Beach, California was held in hybrid format (Zoom Call and in person at City Hall, 1400 Highland Avenue. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266) on March 27, 2025 at the hour of 4:01pm.
B. PLEDGE TO FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners O’Neill, Marcy, Kirschenbaum
Absent: Commissioner Balla, Chair DaGiau
Staff Present: Ryan Heise, Acting Community Development Director Erik Zandvliet, Traffic Engineer
Clerks: Carianne Chavez, Agenda Host
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
03/27/25-1 Regular Meeting – January 23, 2025
MOTION: It was moved and seconded (Kirschenbaum/O’Neill) to approve the minutes without corrections.
AYES: O’Neill, Kirshenbaum, Acting Chair Marcy
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Balla, Chair DaGiau
E. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-minute Limit)
Acting Chair Marcy opened Audience Participation.
Jim Burton expressed his concerns regarding parking and visibility issues in Downtown. He also shared his concerns regarding safety issues of the parking spaces on Valley Drive and Manhattan Beach Boulevard.
Acting Chair Marcy closed Audience Participation.
F. GENERAL BUSINESS
03/27/25-2 Election of Vice-Chair
MOTION: It was moved and seconded (Kirschenbaum/O’Neill) to nominate Commissioner Marcy as Vice-Chair.
AYES: O’Neill, Kirschenbaum, Acting Chair Marcy
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Balla, Chair DaGiau
03/27/2025-3 Neighborhood Meeting to Discuss Gelson’s Area Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan Initial Findings
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet summarized the staff report. He stated that in 2014, the City approved the development of Gelson’s Shopping Center. One of the conditions of approval was for the developer to Parking and Public Improvements Commission
Minutes of March 27, 2025 Page 2 of 3
contribute $75,000 towards the study and implementation of a Neighborhood Traffic Calming Plan.
Traffic counts were conducted prior to construction in 2018, and additional traffic counts were conducted recently. He further explained that traffic volumes generally decreased in this area except for an increase in traffic volumes at 8th Street, Larsson Street, and 6th Street due to their proximity to Gelson’s Shopping Center. Spot speed surveys were conducted, and it was determined that excessive speeding was not found to be prevalent within the study area. In addition, it was determined that there were no locations with recurring collisions within the study area. He explained that the purpose of this meeting is to receive feedback from the Commissioners and the public. Staff will evaluate the feedback received and recommend potential traffic calming measures at a future Parking and Public Improvements Commission Meeting.
Acting Chair Marcy opened public comment.
Michael Hamilton shared his concerns regarding the intersection of Sepulveda Boulevard and 8th Street.
He suggested adding striping on 8th Street to let drivers know that there is the option of two lanes.
Dennis Sullivan stated that he is the manager at Gelson’s and shared his support for adding striping on 8th Street. He acknowledged that people often turn left out of the Gelson’s parking lot even though it is prohibited.
Henry Schwake shared his concerns regarding delivery trucks entering Gelson’s parking lot and how they often block traffic.
Acting Chair Marcy closed public comment.
Commissioner Kirschenbaum asked about the status of the bank next to Gelson’s.
Acting Chair Marcy opened public comment.
Dennis Sullivan stated that interior remodel is complete and the contractor is awaiting final inspections for the J.P. Morgan Chase Bank. He also shared his concerns regarding delivery trucks turning right onto 8th Street from Sepulveda Boulevard and mentioned that Gelson’s management ha d a conversation with the delivery truck drivers when they turn right onto 8th Street.
Acting Chair Marcy closed public comment.
Commissioner Kirschenbaum shared his support for striping two eastbound lanes on 8th Street. He also suggested adding sharrows on 8th Street to remind drivers that the street is shared by vehicles and bicycles.
He asked about the potential impact of the senior living facility. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that staff expects a potential increase in pedestrian crossings since Gelson’s is the nearest grocery store to the Sunrise facility. He explained that staff does not expect an increase in vehicular volume since Sunrise is an assisted senior living facility. Acting Community Development Director Heise clarified that Sunrise is a memory care and end-of-life care facility.
Commissioner O’Neill asked Commissioner Kirschenbaum for clarification on adding striping on 8 th Street. Commissioner Kirschenbaum stated that without the striping, cars are not aware that can be two lanes. Commissioner O’Neill asked if there is enough room on 8 th Street to add striping without having to remove some of the sidewalks. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet explained that Cal Trans has a requirement that lanes must be at least 12 feet wide and there is not enough room to have three 12-foot-wide lanes on 8th Street. He stated that one of the Gelson’s conditions of approval was to dedicate land to future street widening for three 12-foot wide lanes.
Acting Chair Marcy opened public comment.
Michael Hamilton stated that if the City decides to dedicate one lane on 8 th Street to left turns, the light should have a left turn arrow and then turn to a green light to allow for better traffic flow.
Acting Chair Marcy closed public comment.
Acting Chair Marcy asked how many more feet are needed to turn 8 th Street into 3 lanes. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that about three feet is needed to widen the street and allow for three travel lanes.
Discussion followed.
Acting Chair Marcy asked about the possibility of updating the restrictions for turning left out of Gelson’s parking lot to no left turns during peak hours only. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that staff would need to conduct traffic counts to determine how many cars turn left out of Gelson’s.
Parking and Public Improvements Commission
Minutes of March 27, 2025 Page 3 of 3
OTHER ITEMS
03/27/2025-4 Staff Updates
Traffic Engineer Zandvliet provided the following staff updates on the following items:
• The Aviation Boulevard Pedestrian Enhancement Project has not moved forward in the City of Redondo Beach.
• The petition for resident permit parking restrictions on Peck Avenue between Gates Avenue and Curtis Avenue has been granted.
o A work order has been submitted to install No Parking Signs between 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
o Letters were sent to eligible residents to obtain their resident parking permit • City Council approved the Parking and Public Improvements Commission’s recommendations to implement all traffic calming measures proposed by the Traffic Engineer on Valley Drive between 1st Street and 10th Place.
o Temporary crosswalks and walkways have been installed on the north side of 6 th Street until the project begins.
o A speed awareness sign has been ordered and will be installed near 5th Place. o A speed limit sign has been installed at 10th Street. o Flashing stop signs have been installed on 6th Street at Valley Drive and on 6th Street at Ardmore Avenue.
Acting Chair Marcy asked about the status of the Wayfinding Sign Project. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet explained that Public Works contractor has installed parking wayfinding signs at City Parking Lots in Downtown, Bruce’s Beach, and North End. He stated that directional wayfinding signs have not moved forward at this time.
Commissioner Kirschenbaum asked if the parking space could be removed at Valley Drive and Manhattan Beach Boulevard. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that the parking space will be removed. 03/27/25-5 Commissioner Items
Commissioner Kirschenbaum asked if there are any agenda items for the April Parking and Public Improvements Commission Meeting. Traffic Engineer Zandvliet stated that the Capital Improvements Program will be discussed at the April meeting.
G. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4:58p.m. to the Parking and Public Improvements Commission Regular Meeting on April 24, 2025 at 4:00p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers (1400 Highland Ave. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266) and via ZOOM Call.