STATE OF CALIFORNIA – CALIFORNIA NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY GAVIN NEWSOM, GOVERNOR
CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION
455 MARKET STREET, SUITE 228
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105
OFFICE (415) 904-5200
FAX (415) 904-5400
November 17, 2020
City of Redondo Beach
Community Development Planning Division
Brandy Forbes, Community Development Director
415 Diamond Street
P.O. Box 270
Redondo Beach, CA 90277-0270
Re: Coastal Development Permit Waiver Request No. 7
Dear Ms. Forbes:
On November 16, 2020, the Executive Director of the California Coastal Commission received the City of Redondo Beach’s seventh request for a waiver of coastal development permit requirements to authorize temporary development necessary to protect life and public property. This request is in response to the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency and subsequent Executive Order N-33-20 “Stay at Home Order” of March 19, 2020, the Safer at Work and in the Community Order for Control of COVID-19 issued by the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department (updated October 23, 2020) and City Emergency Orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, on March 26, 2020, June 26, 2020, July 8, 2020, August 18, 2020, August 25, 2020, and September 22, 2020 the Commission received the City of Redondo Beach’s six initial waiver requests regarding temporary closure of public access and recreation facilities, including the beach and Redondo Beach Pier, as well as parking closures, in response to the Governor’s Executive Order N-33-20. In response, the Executive Director issued waivers to the City of Redondo Beach on March 30, 2020, June 30, 2020, July 10, 2020, August 24, 2020, August 28, 2020, and September 24, 2020.
Specifically, the City of Redondo Beach requests a waiver for the following development, as detailed in the City’s waiver request and mapping exhibits: Temporary closure through the use of blockades and signage of up to 119 on-street parking spaces along Catalina Avenue between Avenue I and Palos Verdes Boulevard, up to 81 on-street parking spaces on Avenue I between Catalina Avenue and South Elena Avenue, 33 on-street parking spaces along Avenida Del Norte between Catalina Avenue and South Elena Avenue, and 3 on-street parking spaces on South Elena Avenue between South Pacific Coast Highway and Avenue I, for the purpose of outdoor dining and business use until the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department Order (cited above) is no longer in effect. Vehicular and pedestrian traffic along this portion of Catalina Avenue and Avenue I will continue.
Under Coastal Act Section 30611, coastal development permit requirements may be waived when immediate action by a person or agency performing a public service is required to Coastal Development Permit Waiver Request No. 7 – City of Redondo Beach November 17, 2020
protect life and public property in response to an emergency. The Executive Director has determined that the City of Redondo Beach’s emergency action described above meets the criteria to obtain a waiver of permitting requirements under Section 30611. This determination is based on the City of Redondo Beach’s acknowledgement that: the proposed development will not result in the erection of any permanent structures valued at more than $25,000; the authorized actions are limited to the minimum restrictions on public access necessary to protect public health while Executive Order N-33-20 and the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department Order (cited above) are in place; and adaptive management will be used to minimize impacts on public access, consistent with the protection of public health.
Commission staff encourages the City of Redondo Beach to continue closely coordinating with the local public health department to determine the minimum restrictions necessary to protect public health. After such consultation, we encourage the City of Redondo Beach to consider, in consultation with Commission staff, some phased re-opening or modifications of restrictions, when appropriate, given the importance of providing access to open spaces and recreational facilities, especially during times of crisis.
Thank you for coordinating with our agency and providing notice of your action. You may reach the Commission’s South Coast District Office by email at [email protected], or by phone at (562) 590-5071, if you have any questions.
Thank you.
JOHN AINSWORTH
Executive Director
cc: South Coast District Office