Coastal Commission holds informational hearing on Redondo Beach’s “Waterfront” project

Quasi-judicial agency could provide direction on controversial redevelopment of King Harbor in August.

REDONDO BEACH — The ongoing battle between the city of Redondo Beach and CenterCal Properties was met with a standing-room-only audience, as both entities were present at the latest California Coastal Commission meetings for an informational presentation and hearing on The Waterfront project.

Commissioners held the informational hearing on April 12 as a prelude for what could be a decisive discussion in August, when the Coastal Commission is expected to review the Waterfront project in more detail.

Coastal Commission staff, in the meantime, updated commissioners on the current state of the proposed revitalization of King Harbor during its April meeting, which, coincidentally, was held in Redondo Beach.

CenterCal proposed an ambitious $400 million revitalization of Redondo Beach’s aging waterfront, angling to bring new visitor-serving amenities to King Harbor. The project – like many other large-scale redevelopments – drew its fair share of local opponents. Some who actively opposed the project – dubbed “The Waterfront” by CenterCal – stated it was essentially a super-sized mall on the water.

Plans to introduce a boat launch ramp – an amenity not present within King Harbor for decades – also drew its fair share of criticism and divisiveness. There was a constant debate of where within King Harbor to place the boat launch ramp. Some locations were more cost efficient, while others were safer.

Controversy surrounding the CenterCal revitalization reached a fever pitch when Redondo Beach voters, in March 2017, approved Measure C, a slow-growth ballot initiative, with 6,102 residents voting in favor (compared to 4,541 votes against).

Recent Lawsuits

The spotlight has since been on Measure C, which was the subject of state and federal lawsuit filings by both entities.

A federal judge recently ruled the matter was of local concern, essentially punting the dispute to state court. Redondo Beach and CenterCal both appeared in front of Los Angeles Superior Court judge (James C. Chalfant) just before Coastal Commission’s April meetings. Both sides claimed Chalfant’s ruling, at least partially, was a victory.

CenterCal stated Chalfant’s ruling upheld the company’s vested rights and the city of Redondo Beach could not apply Measure C to The Waterfront. The company’s spokesperson shared an Easy Reader News article with The Log as evidence the judge ruled Measure C does not apply to The Waterfront.

A report in the Daily Breeze, however, framed the ruling as giving the Coastal Commission final say over Measure C. At least one city council member shared this article with The Log as evidence of Chalfant ruling in favor of Redondo Beach

Jim Light, a Redondo Beach boater, shared his perspective of Chalfant’s ruling on The Log’s Facebook page.

“CenterCal tried to get Measure C thrown out because it violated the City Charter and it targeted just their project. The judge disagreed,” Light wrote. “The judge agreed CenterCal has vested rights. His ruling is that because CenterCal has vested rights, Measure C does not apply to it for now. But if the Coastal Commission makes changes to or denies the project, then CenterCal no longer has vested rights.

“So in the end, Measure C could very well be applied to the project. And in the end, the Coastal Commission is within its powers to define a project that would conform with Measure C,” Light stated.

Coastal Commission Informational Hearing

Commissioners were provided with an update of the project, including the redevelopment’s overall plans.

“The proposal for the Waterfront Development project is a significant redevelopment of the Redondo Beach King Harbor, which would include demolition of the existing structures in the project site and construction of 19 new structures with three view corridors for retail, restaurant, creative office, cinema, a public market hall, and a 130 room boutique hotel, construct one new parking garage, reconstruct the existing pier parking structure [and construction of] a new two-lane road south of Harbor Dr., connecting Pacific Ave. to Torrance Blvd.,” commission staff stated in a report to commissioners.

Commission staff also spent time reviewing boat launch ramp plans and discussed whether elements of the project were consistent with Local Coastal Program (LCP) requirements.

“The development [in some instances] proposes to remove existing coastal dependent uses. For example, the project would remove the hand launch dock used for kayak and paddleboard launching,” Amber Dobson, a planner with the Coastal Commission, told commissioners. “Improvements to Basin 3 would remove one boat slip. Removal of the boat slips is inconsistent with the LCP.

“Overall the proposed project raises concerns regarding whether there would be an appropriate mix of visitor-serving uses and coastal dependent uses, which is also required by the LCP, and whether it appropriately reserves oceanfront land for high priority uses,” Dobson continued.

Redondo Beach City Manager Joe Hoefgen, who spoke to commissioners on behalf of the Los Angeles suburb, acknowledged the King Harbor area is in need of revitalization.

“It’s well documented that much of the waterfront infrastructure has reached the end of its useful life and is in need of significant repairs or replacement,” Hoefgen said. “If The Waterfront project is not constructed, the city will need to spend additional funds to address the failing condition of existing commercial buildings, which is estimated to cost another $30 million to $50 million.”

Hoefgen acknowledged The Waterfront project would absorb many of the high-cost items – such as parking structure and infrastructure improvements – needing immediate attention.

City officials also discussed issues with The Waterfront’s project intensity, scale and compatibility, as well as with plans to build a new public boat launch ramp.

CenterCal CEO Fred Bruning also spoke with commissioners, sharing Redondo Beach’s waterfront history and his company’s vision of its future. He also discussed The Waterfront’s project specifics, explaining its various elements and addressing issues raised by commission staff.

Several people spoke to the commission about the project throughout the prolonged public hearing, which started in mid-afternoon and continued into the evening.

A representative of L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn’s office read a statement to commissioners on behalf of the elected official, saying she opposed The Waterfront project as currently proposed. Hahn’s supervisorial district includes Redondo Beach.

Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand, who addressed commissioners as a private citizen, said the current CenterCal proposal is an oversized project taking away ocean view corridors.

“This project should be rejected by the commission. Unfortunately, it’s a do-over,” Brand said. “This turned into a monster. There [are] way too many violations of The Coastal Act, as well as our Local Coastal Program.”

Mayor Pro Tem Laura Emdee, meanwhile, expressed her support of The Waterfront project, stating it increases coastal access and promotes clean water.

Commissioners and commission staff took the hours of public commentary into consideration and will continue to accept input from concerned parties during the next few months.

 

3 thoughts on “Coastal Commission holds informational hearing on Redondo Beach’s “Waterfront” project

  • April 24, 2018 at 5:34 pm
    Permalink

    Dear Ms. Emdee, please provide visuals and backup documentation showing us how coastal access would be increased with this sun-and-view-blocking monstrosity on our shores. Absolutely nothing that CenterCal has presented supports your specious claim. What’s in it for you?

    Reply
  • April 25, 2018 at 8:20 am
    Permalink

    Once again The Log shows that they are getting their information from bad sources. Poor coverage and inaccurate statements seem to not bother them.

    Reply
    • April 25, 2018 at 8:46 am
      Permalink

      Thank you for your comment, John. We at The Log do strive for the best, most honest coverage possible. If there is anything specifically inaccurate or poorly covered in this (or any other) story, please let us know and we’ll perform our due diligence. Thank you!
      – Parimal M. Rohit, Editor, The Log

      Reply

Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *