City Council on 2024-03-05 6:00 PM - CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER Meeting Time: 03-05-24 18:00
eComments Report
Meetings Meeting
Time
Agenda
Items
Comments Support Oppose Neutral
City Council on 2024-03-05 6:00 PM -
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER
03-05-24
18:00
52 8 2 3 2
Sentiments for All Meetings
The following graphs display sentiments for comments that have location data. Only locations of users who have commented will be shown.
Overall Sentiment
City Council on 2024-03-05 6:00 PM - CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER 03-05-24 18:00
Agenda Name Comments Support Oppose Neutral
J.1. 24-0292 For eComments and Emails Received from the Public 4 0 1 2 N.1. 24-0207 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON
IMPROVEMENTS AT AVIATION PARK AND THE POTENTIAL FOR
ADDITIONAL RECREATION AMENITIES
1 1 0 0
N.2. 24-0307 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON CANNABIS
REGULATIONS RELATED TO RETAIL LOCATION REQUIREMENTS
AND BUFFER ZONES
3 1 2 0
Sentiments for All Agenda Items
The following graphs display sentiments for comments that have location data. Only locations of users who have commented will be shown.
Overall Sentiment
Agenda Item: eComments for J.1. 24-0292 For eComments and Emails Received from the Public Overall Sentiment
Mark Nelson
Location:
Submitted At: 8:39pm 03-05-24
This public comment contains a number of graphics that cannot be posted in the City's system. As a result, this public comment has been posted, complete with it's graphics at: https://www.stopbchd.com/post/redondo-beachp-cf-p-i-zoning-has-had-0-75-far-in-the-gpac-process-for-2-years Summary is below, but THIS PUBLIC COMMENT includes the material at the LINK above.
The public record of the GPAC and of public comments is progressive and extensive on the matter of Public/Institution FAR. With the exception of member Lamb, no written comments appear on the topic of the FAR (subject to check) by other GPAC members. As is clear to any reader, there is a robust discussion/simulation/documentation of the impacts of height, mass, and FAR differences in Public (P-CF) usage submitted to the record. The damaging impact of excessive FAR development is demonstrated with visualizations.
In addition, the GPAC had a paid consulting firm to provide support, analysis and respond to questions. As typical public committees go, GPAC was relatively resource rich during its operation.
CONCLUSION
1) The assignment of 0.75 FAR for most P/I/O (Public zoning) is consistent with the surrounding neighborhoods. 2) Furthermore, removing the subjectiveness of the FAR determination from the CUP process for P-CF is consistent with the State mandate of objective standards in planning and design requirements and remove (to the extent possible) the subjective standards.
3) The Public/Institutional FAR is 0.75, except in limited cases where City of Redondo Beach municipal uses are
1.25 FAR.
Mariam Butler
Location:
Submitted At: 7:27pm 03-05-24
I would like to express my utmost dismay at the rushed and inappropriate way the interim mayor was appointed.
Though the council did not do anything illegal, and followed the city charter, you could have spent time a taken a more thoughtful approach to the mayoral appointment. You had time. The discussion about leaf blowers took longer than the discussion around appointing our mayor. You had an opportunity to take the Democratic route, and allow interested people to answer questions just like you did for Jim Light. He was the only one you extended that courtesy to at your last meeting. By appointing him, Nehrenheim, Lowestein and Obagi have gone against the will of the people who voted not once, but twice against Jim Light when he ran for council. Thank you to Scott Behrendt and Paige Kaluderovic for having the bravery and the sense to speak up to say that more time was needed and to proceed in a Democratic manner. Though they were outvoted in this case, the city is benefiting from their wise and informed reasoning. Thank God we have 2 reasonable people on council.
Barbara Epstein
Location:
Submitted At: 5:02pm 03-05-24
I am writing to thank the city for Mayor Brand’s beautiful memorial Sunday.
From the time we arrived, until it was time to leave, we could feel the love, care, and respect enveloping us.
The Fire Department welcomed us with their truck display, the flag flying high, and the wonderful firemen helping us in every way possible.
We loved the warm smiles from our police force as they guided us to parking and greeted us like family.
The tributes to Bill by each of our dignitaries, friends, and family were inspiring and glorious! Bill would have loved them!
Thank you for your warm hospitality and lovely refreshments.
You outdid yourselves, and we all appreciate you so much.
Best of all you infused our city with love and honor, which we pledge to carry forth in Mayor Brand’s memory.
I would like to invite everyone to step up to fulfill Bill’s expectations for us to continue his vision for the Brand Historic Wetland Park, and to continue our connecting Greenbelt from there, all the way up the Power Corridor to connect with Columbia Park in Torrance.
We will help Bill achieve justice for every Californian who lost their rights to decide their own neighborhood choices in zoning and land use planning. Sacramento is not the boss of us! Our Neighborhood Voices! We will carry his love and respect to every corner of Redondo, connecting us all as friends, One Redondo.
Brandee Keith
Location:
Submitted At: 11:38am 03-05-24
Hello! My name is Brandee Keith. I'd like to share the following updates from South Coast Air Quality Management District:
South Coast AQMD Updates:
Registration is now Open for the 34th Annual Clean Air Awards For over three decades, South Coast AQMD has honored those across the region who have helped to improve the air we breathe. The 34th Annual Clean Air Awards will recognize achievements in the following categories:
• S. Roy Wilson Award for Leadership in Government
• Robert M. Zweig, M.D., Memorial Award
• Dr. William A. Burke Award for Leadership in Environmental Justice • John J. and Ben J. Benoit Award for Innovative Clean Air Technology • Leadership in Air Quality
• Youth Leadership in Air Quality
Date: Friday, April 5, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.
Registration for virtual event is required by Thursday, April 4, 2024 at https://bit.ly/3wHdU2Y For more information, please call 909-396-2432 or by email at [email protected] or visit our website Virtual Earth Day, April 19th
South Coast AQMD is excited to host a Virtual Earth Day on Friday, April 19th, with programming specially designed for elementary and high school students as part of our educational initiatives, Why Healthy Air Matters (WHAM) and our Clean Air Program for Elementary Students (CAPES). Please see our attached flyers for more information and for links to register for the event. We invite you to feel free to share the information, and/or the flyers, with your program participants, contacts, or online community. The event will kick off at 10 a.m. for high school students, and 12 p.m. for younger students. Registration is required.
To report an air quality issue, please call 1-800-CUT SMOG.
For asbestos-related inquiries, please call our asbestos hotline at 909-396-2336.
Agenda Item: eComments for N.1. 24-0207 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON IMPROVEMENTS AT AVIATION PARK AND
THE POTENTIAL FOR ADDITIONAL RECREATION AMENITIES
Overall Sentiment
Barbara Epstein
Location:
Submitted At: 4:15pm 03-05-24
Thank you so much for addressing these public needs!
I strongly support either an aquatic center or community garden in the Aviation open space by the gym.
There is a need and desire for each by the public.
Holly Mitchell, our County Supervisor, is a big fan of swimming and might help with funding.
North Redondo is sorely in need for our next community garden. We could look for funding.
Both provide healthy outdoor recreation for the Redondo residents, and would greatly improve the quality of life for our people..
Agenda Item: eComments for N.2. 24-0307 DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON CANNABIS REGULATIONS RELATED TO
RETAIL LOCATION REQUIREMENTS AND BUFFER ZONES
Overall Sentiment
Daniel Rowland
Location:
Submitted At: 7:00pm 03-05-24
As a representative of the cannabis industry generally, and of an operator with a potential property in Redondo Beach, I am writing in support of the location requirements and buffer zones as drafted. I commend the Council and Staff on the years of work that have gone into this process already. The maps and regulations have been drafted thoughtfully with several rounds of community input.
With respect to the commercialization of cannabis, the permitting of regulated cannabis retail shops is the single most important and impactful action a city can take to support community safety in post-legalization California.
The most effective way to eradicate the illicit market and to ensure cannabis stays out of the hands of children is to provide safe, legal access to regulated retail outlets. The City's work to date to ensure that future cannabis stores are located properly within Redondo Beach has been prudent and comprehensive, and broadly reflects the community's needs and desires.
As for the licensing process, I support the property requirement as part of the application. This, along with the required Zoning Verification Letter, ensures that applicants have access to compliant property and will greatly reduce the amount of time and resources the City spends on the application process.
Finally, I would ask again for the City to consider a qualified lottery for the permit selection process. Having been through multiple competitive licensing processes in several different jurisdictions, our experience is that qualified lotteries work best. The City's desired criteria can still be used to qualify applicants, ensuring the community's needs and desires are being met by prospective retailers. However, instead of scoring applications and ranking them, the City should instead use a randomized selection process of qualified applicants only to designate the applicants that are then eligible to proceed with the permitting process.
This method removes ambiguity in the selection process and reduces the City's litigation risk. It also greatly reduces the time dedicated to administering and defending the scoring, and reduces the number of appeals the City will have to process.
Brad Waller
Location:
Submitted At: 5:18pm 03-05-24
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed legislation allowing cannabis retail shops in Redondo Beach, and I would like to emphasize the importance of responsible implementation, particularly regarding the establishment of exclusion zones around schools and daycare centers. Please do not rush through this without conducting a thorough and comprehensive study with more input from residents. Let's spend at least as much time and effort on this as on the new city logo.
I fully support the inclusion of extended buffer zones around middle and high schools to ensure the safety and well-being of our youth. It is crucial that these exclusion zones are enforced without exception, and I strongly urge against any attempts to override or relax them for specific locations. The protection of our youth should be the top priority.
I also advocate for a cautious and thoughtful approach to the legislative process. Rushing through this without comprehensive input from the community might lead to oversights and unintended consequences. Therefore, I encourage you to take the time to gather additional input from various stakeholders including the PTAs and BCHD before finalizing the legislation.
Additionally, I propose updating the code to include a tax on the delivery of cannabis to Redondo Beach. This presents an opportune moment to enhance our city's revenue streams while embracing the growing cannabis industry.
If the legislation permits storefronts, it is imperative to establish clear guidelines on their appearance and enforce strict age restrictions. We must avoid normalizing the exposure of cannabis retailers to our youth. I recommend that any cannabis retailer adhere to a standard of upscale and non-descript storefronts that seamlessly integrate into our cityscape. We should aim to avoid the stereotypical imagery often associated with cannabis shops, such as prominent green crosses and clever puns on weed, which can have a negative impact on our community's perception.
Let us prioritize the thorough study of all aspects involved, seek extensive input from the community, and carefully weigh the potential consequences before making any decisions.
Melissa Dechandt
Location:
Submitted At: 2:08pm 03-05-24
I urge the city council to consider a delivery only model for cannabis. This will not only allow for cannabis access to residents but will provide a level of safety for our youth. The peer-review day is overwhelmingly clear, demonstrating that youth who routinely see cannabis marketing (billboards, digital marketing...) and who see/walk past cannabis storefronts are more likely to use cannabis within 30 days. Peer-review data had overwhelmingly demonstrated that cannabis is detrimental for the developing youth brain and increases anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among many other negative associations.
I urge the city council to act in a transparent manner and engage the community in townhall meetings and to ensure that a public health voice is a partner in the decisions as they pertain to cannabis in our city and our youth.