Redondo Beach rewrites housing sites to keep certification
The City Council unanimously approved a CEQA addendum and housing element changes meant to preserve state certification and avoid builder’s remedy exposure.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — approve ceqa addendum and amend certified, first reading, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
Councilmembers said the vote was about zoning capacity and legal compliance, not a green light for immediate construction on the listed housing sites.
The city’s housing plan changed shape, not its deadline. The City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. CC-2605-027, approving a CEQA addendum and amending the certified 2021–2029 Housing Element. The action replaces Affordable Housing Overlay districts on identified housing sites with high-density residential and mixed-use zoning. The title read into the record included 65 DU/AC and 80 DU/AC changes.
Councilmembers tied the move to a lawsuit and court decision that found problems with the state’s interpretation of housing overlays. They said the city needed a different zoning approach to keep its housing element certified and avoid builder’s remedy exposure. During the hearing, members stressed that the vote was about preserving enough zoning capacity to meet housing requirements, not about approving specific projects for construction.
James "Jim" Light said Redondo Beach is already dense, citing 11,000 residents per square mile, and argued the city already has a varied housing stock and supportive programs. Staff said the city’s method depends on capacity calculations, and that if a site produces fewer units than expected, Redondo Beach may have to identify additional sites later to maintain RHNA capacity. The council’s vote adopted the resolution and introduced two ordinances on first reading to carry out the housing element amendments.
First Reading: Board Policies/Administrative Regulations/Exhibits/Bylaws (Including BP 5131.8 and BP 7310)
The school board spent much of its first-reading policy discussion on phones and memorials. Members reviewed a packet of board policies, administrative regulations, exhibits, and bylaws, with special attention to BP 5131.8 on mobile communication devices and BP 7310 on naming facilities and memorials.
On phones, board members pressed for clearer language for high school students. One member said the draft could read as if grades 9–12 face the same entry-to-exit storage rule as younger students, even though the intent appears to allow use during passing periods and other non-instructional time. Staff said off-campus device use can still lead to discipline when it involves cyberbullying, harassment, threats, or conduct that makes a student feel unsafe at school. Student Board Member Keely Gold said enforcement now varies by teacher.
The board then turned to memorials. Staff said schools have handled student deaths inconsistently and that permanent memorials can lose meaning over time as students and staff change. Members asked for clearer guidance on memorial options and on naming rights tied to donations. The policies will come back at a future meeting after revisions and feedback.
Residents press council on safety and Seaside Lagoon
Public comment ranged from traffic hazards and truck enforcement to LGBTQ history research and the future of Seaside Lagoon. Speakers asked for action on Avenue Palos Verdes safety, praised a truck crackdown that produced 33 citations, and urged the council to rethink the lagoon plan’s design and timing.
litigation
School board rejects two claims
The board rejected two claims as part of the district’s regular claims process. One involved a minor student, and one item was referred to the district’s insurance representative for handling.
Claim decisions can affect district legal exposure and whether public funds may later be used for settlements or defense.
Council awards street rehabilitation contract
The City Council approved Resolution No. CC-2605-23 awarding the Residential Street Rehabilitation Project contract to Calmex Engineering Inc. The contract, for Job No. 40190, was approved on the consent calendar for 3,477,163.25 despite one recorded public comment in opposition.
large dollar figure ($3,477,163.25)
City lists lawsuits before closed session
Before meeting privately, the city publicly identified several existing litigation matters and a real property negotiation for closed session. The agenda item also named the staff members and legal counsel who would take part in those discussions.
Residents can at least see what legal disputes and property talks may affect city money or future land decisions.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
REDONDO BEACH had 423 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCECity budget plan advances with hearings and fee proposals. City staff presented the proposed FY 2026-2027 budget and five-year capital plan, built around a balanced approach that includes a roughly $2.9 million flexible hiring freeze instead of using reserves. Officials set June budget hearing dates and discussed specific revenue and cost items, including development fee increases, a parking meter increase, Performing Arts Center finances, and police marine enforcement staffing costs.
- GOVERNANCETrash rate protest fails and Athens amendment moves ahead. The council first directed staff to prepare the final Second Amendment with Athens Services for a public hearing and Proposition 218 process. After the hearing, the city clerk reported only four protests, far below the majority threshold, and the council then approved FY 2026-2027 refuse charges and the Athens contract amendment.
- GOVERNANCECouncilmember reports (community events, meetings, and regional boards). Councilmembers reported on recent and upcoming events and meetings, including Medal of Valor awards, Memorial Day ceremonies, school district events, Cruisin’ the Lagoon, Dine Around Riviera Village, housing trust funding, community services programming, sanitation district matters, and regional agency representation.
- GOVERNANCEPTA Presidents Recognition and Volunteerism Report. The district recognized PTA presidents and presented a “big check” highlighting PTA volunteerism: 121,792 volunteer hours valued at 6,297,730, with PTA program budgets totaling 1.4 million across 12 associations. The Council PTA reported an 85.1 membership ratio and highlighted large PTSA memberships at RUHS and Adams.
- GOVERNANCEAdopt resolution approving exemption declaration and conditional use permit for Fit Kids Gymnastics Center (2605 Manhattan Beach Boulevard). The commission adopted a resolution approving an exemption declaration and conditional use permit for Fit Kids Gymnastics Center in an existing 18,168 square foot industrial space at 2605 Manhattan Beach Boulevard (IC-1 zone), Case No. 20260288.
- GOVERNANCECrossing guard concerns lead to program changes. At the school board meeting, speakers urged the district and city to work together to avoid crossing guard cuts and protect student safety. The council later approved crossing guard program modifications covering 18 staffed locations and backed a joint communications plan with the school district for next school year.
- GOVERNANCEAdoption of 2026–2027 Fiscal Year Budget (including $15.3 million commitments/mitigation items). The board adopted the 2026–2027 fiscal year budget, including $15.3 million in commitments/mitigation items related to declining enrollment, cash flow, fleet replacement, instructional programs, and competitive compensation across employee classifications. Board members thanked Dr. Alurn for budget transparency and education.
- GOVERNANCEAdopting CEQA exemption declaration and approving coastal development permit to extend Riviera Village outdoor dining deck program (Case No. 2026-0374). The Council adopted Resolution CC2605-33 approving a CEQA exemption declaration and coastal development permit to extend the Riviera Village outdoor dining deck program for five years, allowing continued use of designated right-of-way and parking areas for outdoor dining subject to City standards and conditions (Case No. 2026-0374).
- GOVERNANCEApprove Transportation Services Agreement with Everdriven Technologies LLC for Special Education (2026–2027). The board approved a 2026–2027 transportation services agreement with Everdriven Technologies LLC for special education students whose IEPs mandate transportation. Staff stated the contract would provide safe, reliable service and reduce anticipated costs by approximately $300,000 annually, with additional service improvements for families.
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