MANHATTAN BEACH, CA Planning Board
Sundays tracks every public Planning Board meeting in MANHATTAN BEACH, CA and summarizes what was decided — master-plan re-examinations, redevelopment areas, rezonings and land-use ordinances. Land-use items are kept off the weekly Sundays email (they're a specialist read), but every one is archived here and verified against the official meeting record. 20 items on file; most recent October 11, 2026.
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Public hearing and introduction of omnibus zoning code and Local Coastal Program text amendments
The Council held a public hearing and introduced Ordinance No. 26-000012 to implement omnibus zone text amendments to Title 10 and the Local Coastal Program, described as housekeeping and clarifying changes. The ordinance was introduced with minor corrections and passed unanimously.
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Community organization announcements and upcoming events
City staff and community representatives announced upcoming events including composting and shredding events, the pumpkin race and Halloween carnival, a public art master plan input event, a firefighters pancake breakfast, United Against Hate Week programming, a library murder mystery, and police events on El Niño preparedness and a trunk-or-treat.
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Cultural Arts Division: Public Art Master Plan update and input sessions
The Senior Cultural Arts Supervisor invited the community to input sessions and a survey to revise the city’s 20-year-old Public Art Master Plan, with sessions at the Farmers Market, Parks and Recreation booths, Hometown Fair, and the Library on October 9.
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Commissioner Items: Planning Commissioner Symposium and September 9 Meeting Status
Commissioners discussed an October planning commissioner symposium and scheduling challenges due to travel time. Staff stated the September 9, 2026 Planning Commission meeting was not anticipated to be needed and a cancellation notice would likely be sent.
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Planning Manager Report: Email Distribution Issue and Project Pulse Update
Planning Manager Feinstein apologized for issues with late-distributed emails and said staff would investigate. Feinstein also provided an update on “Project Pulse,” stating it would go to City Council on September 15 with a mailer announcing the meeting and summarizing work to date.
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Public Comment: Portable Signs and Benches in the Public Right-of-Way (Study Session)
Public commenters addressed the proposed portable sign and bench code amendments. Comments included support for allowing benches where feasible, concerns about the term “streamlined” given ADA constraints, a request to keep opportunities open for businesses despite limited feasible locations, and a claim that staff’s ADA interpretation was incorrect based on U.S. Access Board information.
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Accessibility Requirements Discussion: ADA/CBC/PROWAG and Benches in the Public Right-of-Way
A certified access specialist and the City’s building official addressed questions about whether benches in the public right-of-way must comply with accessibility requirements. They discussed the City’s obligations as a Title II entity, the role of PROWAG, and an email from the U.S. Access Board indicating clear space and slope requirements near benches.
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Study Session: Proposed Code Amendments for Portable Signs and Benches Adjacent to Commercial Businesses in the Coastal Zone
Staff presented a study session on proposed code amendments to allow portable signs and benches in the public right-of-way and establish a streamlined approval process. Staff described changes since the prior study session, summarized ADA/CBC/PROWAG accessibility constraints, presented a preliminary field survey of feasible bench locations, and outlined two options for how to proceed on benches.
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Opening Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items)
The Chair opened public comment for items within the Commission’s jurisdiction that were not on the agenda. One Zoom participant asked for clarification about whether public comment was limited to agenda items; no other public comments were provided.
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Commissioner comments: downtown noise reporting and Great White one-year review; question on senior center/scout house project timing
A Commissioner encouraged residents to report downtown noise issues through the non-emergency number to inform the upcoming one-year review of Great White’s operations. A Commissioner also asked about timing for the senior center/scout house project; staff said plans were nearing approval and construction could begin within about six months, though timing was not certain.
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Commission deliberation and direction on height amendment approach for Lot Three vs. 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard
Commissioners discussed whether to treat the two city-owned sites separately for a height increase. Several Commissioners supported allowing 30 feet at Lot Three to enable additional parking, while expressing caution about 30 feet at 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard due to residential adjacency and gateway view impacts. Commissioners also discussed process sequencing and the Coastal Commission timeline.
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Public Comment (General) — Request for Semiannual RHNA/“RENA” Dashboard and Policies to Increase Affordable Unit Production
A speaker requested that Council direct staff to provide semiannual reporting on the City’s 774-unit housing obligation and to create a simple dashboard. The speaker also asked staff to evaluate policies and incentives to increase production of low/very low/moderate income units and reduce risk of additional site rezoning under net loss rules.
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Public Art Master Plan (PMP) Revision and Community Engagement Update
The Commission received an update on Public Art Master Plan revision work, including community engagement at the Juneteenth event in Polliwog Park and other outreach efforts. The July 2 committee meeting was canceled, and the next meeting was scheduled for August 3.
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Commission Items and Tentative Agenda
Commissioners reported no additional items. Staff indicated the July 22 meeting was not anticipated to be held and that a cancellation notice would be sent if needed.
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Public Hearing: Omnibus Zone Text Amendments to Manhattan Beach Municipal Code and Local Coastal Program
Staff presented housekeeping amendments to clarify and align zoning code and Local Coastal Program provisions. After questions and no public comment, the Commission adopted a resolution recommending City Council approval, including staff’s additional language regarding utility cabinets and related clarifications.
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Continued Public Hearing: Adoption of Resolution to Amend Permitted Hours for Eating/Drinking Establishment at 309 Manhattan Beach Boulevard
The Commission continued the public hearing and adopted a resolution to make permanent the expanded second-story operating hours for the restaurant at 309 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, removing the one-year trial period language and adding a condition that second-story patio doors remain closed when the patio is closed.
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Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items)
The Chair opened the public comment period for items not on the agenda and within the Planning Commission’s jurisdiction. No public comments were provided in the room or via Zoom.
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First Reading: Ordinance Amending Municipal Code Section 4.88.060 (Transient Uses/Short-Term Rentals) — To Return in Two Weeks
Council conducted the first reading of Ordinance No. 26-00008 amending Municipal Code section 4.88.060 regarding violations in chapter 4.88 (transient uses, including short-term rentals). Staff stated the regular ordinance would return in two weeks.
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Urgency Ordinance Amending Municipal Code Section 4.88.060 (Transient Uses/Short-Term Rentals) — Adopted on Consent Calendar
Council adopted Urgency Ordinance No. 26-0008-U amending Municipal Code section 4.88.060 regarding violations and nuisance provisions in chapter 4.88 (transient uses, including short-term rentals).
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Incoming Mayor Franklin Remarks
Mayor Franklin thanked the community and described guiding principles for his term, emphasizing respect for public comment, transparency sessions, fiscal discipline, upcoming celebrations (FIFA World Cup and America’s 250th), and continued work on local control over zoning through citizen initiatives.