Redondo Beach, California, King Harbor-Pier Development Restrictions, Measure C (March 2017)

• Text of measure
  • Ballot question
  • Impartial analysis
• Support
  • Official argument
• Opposition
  • Official argument
• Path to the ballot
• See also
  • External links
  • Footnotes
• More
  • Local ballot measures
  • State ballot measures
  • Local politics

Measure C: Redondo Beach King Harbor-Pier Development Restrictions
The basics
Election date:
March 7, 2017
Status:
a Approved
Topic:
Local zoning, land use and development
Related articles
Local zoning, land use and development on the ballot March 7, 2017 ballot measures in California Los Angeles County, California ballot measures
See also
Redondo Beach, California

A citizen initiative to restrict development in the King Harbor-Pier area was on the ballot for Redondo Beach voters in Los Angeles County, California, on March 7, 2017. It was approved.

A yes vote was a vote in favor of enacting a citizen initiative to restrict development in the Redondo Beach King Harbor-Pier area.

A no vote was a vote against enacting a citizen initiative to restrict development in the Redondo Beach King Harbor-Pier area.

Aftermath

Lawsuits

Development company CenterCal Properties filed four lawsuits against the city of Redondo Beach in 2017 in an effort to block the implementation of Measure C. The El Segundo company began plans for a $400 million redevelopment project in the Redondo Beach harbor in 2012. In five years, they had invested $15 million on the project, which must be halted under Measure C's development restrictions.

CenterCal CEO, Fred Bruning, argued that the measure should not apply to projects that had already been approved. The lawsuits included a $15 million claim for damages. Citizens who collected signatures for Measure C to be placed on the ballot stated that they favored a slow-growth model to prevent overdevelopment and to preserve views and recreational options in the harbor, and the measure was designed to limit projects like Bruning's. The group Building a Better Redondo had previously challenged the city's approval of permits and legal documents related to Bruning's project in court in November 2016.

Postponement of ruling

On December 14, 2017, Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant decided to postpone a ruling on the first lawsuit from CenterCal Properties until the legal counsel of the California Coastal Commission could examine whether or not Measure C would require the commission's certification.

In March 2018, the California Coastal Commission was granted an extension for reviewing the Redondo Beach redevelopment project.

May ruling

On May 11, 2018, Judge James Chalfant ordered revisions to the environmental impact report for the King Harbor-Pier redevelopment project. The revisions were based on concerns about views and human health that the group Building a Better Redondo had raised in their lawsuit against the city.

Withdrawal of permit applications

CenterCal Properties withdrew its portion of the permit application for the waterfront project in early July 2018. Later in the month, the city of Redondo Beach officially withdrew the joint applications for the project.

Measure C accepted

On August 16, 2018, the California Coastal Commission approved of Measure C in the format that went before voters, without language modifications that had previously been advised by commission staff.

Election results

Measure C
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		9,229	57.13%
No		6,925	42.87%

Election results from Los Angeles County Elections Office

Text of measure

Ballot question

The following question appeared on the ballot:

“

Shall Redondo Beach approve amendments to its Coastal Land Use Plan Implementing Ordinance (partially adopted in 2010 in Measure G) to provide additional analytical procedures and additional limits reducing the amount and type of development in the Coastal Commercial Zones and the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Zone (Seaside Lagoon), located in the Redondo Beach King Harbor-Pier area?

”

Impartial analysis

The following impartial analysis of the measure was prepared by the office of the Redondo Beach City Attorney:

“	CITY ATTORNEY'S IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS OF MEASURE C Background. The type and density of development in King Harbor is governed by the City's General Plan, Coastal Land Use Plan, and the CLUP Implementing Ordinance. King Harbor includes the Coastal Commercial (CC) Zones and the P-PRO Zone known as Seaside Lagoon (collectively "the Site"). The CC regulations were adopted by the voters in 2010 through Measure G, which included a 400,000 square foot cumulative development cap for new structures and contemporaneous development of a boat launch facility. The Measure. Measure C was placed on the ballot by a petition signed by the requisite number of voters. Measure C would amend the CC and P-PRO Coastal Zoning for the Site. CC Zoning Amendments: Measure C would amend the text of Measure G to create new land use regulations and procedures within the CC zones, including: Additional regulations related to the preservation of view corridors along Harbor Drive and Czuleger Park; Requiring story poles to delineate potential new structures; Additional regulations requiring a boat launch ramp for projects of 10,000 square feet or larger; Prohibiting development of new or expanded parking structures in the CC-3 zone; Establishing parking design requirements to accommodate peak summer demand for coastal-dependent, water-oriented recreational uses; Prohibiting valet parking, reservation systems, offsite parking, and shared parking for coastal-dependent, water-oriented recreational uses; Reducing parking fees for frequent coastal-dependent users; Requiring vehicular traffic analysis; Prohibiting any new street connection for general, non-emergency, traffic between Torrance Boulevard and Harbor Drive/Pacific Avenue; and Reducing the amount of new development in the CC zones. P-PRO Zoning Amendments: Seaside Lagoon is located within the P-PRO zone and contains an enclosed water facility, utilizing chlorinated ocean water. Measure C requires the expansion of the open space at Seaside Lagoon, unless such expansion is determined to be infeasible. If infeasible, the Measure requires preservation of existing open space, while maintaining and operating the existing or replacement swimming facility, and prohibits the opening of the water facility to harbor waters. Efficacy of the Measure: If Measure C is approved by the voters it would not necessarily prevent the planned Waterfront project from going forward. There is a question of law as to whether Measure C would require California Coastal Commission certification prior to taking effect. If Coastal Commission certification is legally required, then even if approved by the voters Measure C would only be contemplated legislation and cannot take effect as official law unless the Coastal Commission approves it. Additionally, it is uncertain whether Measure C would interfere with any vested development rights already obtained. Portions of this Measure potentially conflict with existing law and might not be enforceable if adopted. As one example, there is a legal question as to whether some portions of the measure are "administrative actions" that cannot be required by initiative. Consequently, legal challenges may occur. Only the voters could change the Zoning Amendments adopted by Measure C. A "Yes" vote is in favor of Measure C; and a "No" vote is in opposition to Measure C. Measure C requires a simple majority vote for approval.	”
—Redondo Beach City Attorney

Full text

The full text of the measure is available here.

Support

Supporters

The following individuals signed the official argument in favor of the measure:

• Martin F. Holmes, founder of Rescue our Waterfront
• Todd Loewenstein, former president of RBUSD school board
• Wayne Craig, treasurer of Rescue our Waterfront
• Bill Brand, council member
• Nils H. Nehrenheim, founder of Rescue our Waterfront

Arguments in favor

Official argument

The following official argument was submitted in favor of the measure:

“

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR MEASURE C Redondo Beach Residents want harbor revitalization serving our recreational interests, not the corporate interests of mall developer CenterCal. VOTE YES ON MEASURE C--King Harbor CARE Act! MEASURE C stops construction of a waterfront mall adding 13,136 daily car trips and doubling development. If built, 80% of ocean views from Harbor Drive will be blocked by 45' tall structures nearly 2 football fields long. It paves 1/3 of Seaside Lagoon, eliminates our popular saltwater pool used by 81,000 people each season, and plops a massive 5-level parking structure in the harbor entrance. The proposed 180,000 square feet for dining is equivalent to 17 Kincaids. This project is too big and too risky. MEASURE C balances revitalization to overdevelopment choking our streets with traffic. It protects views, allows for growth, and incentivizes development, all while maintaining the charm of our waterfront, and water-oriented recreational uses we love about Redondo Beach. YES on C honors the intent of 2010 Measure G zoning to avoid overdevelopment of the harbor, preserve open harbor views, and protect Seaside Lagoon. The public never voted to put a mall in the harbor. YES on C prevents City bureaucrats from inventing zoning interpretations that maximize development density and traffic gridlock. YES on C safeguards our ability to use our harbor as an actual harbor. Don't sell out our waterfront and 6 acres of public parks for a pittance in annual lease income. Don't settle for a boat ramp deemed inherently unsafe by every public safety official patrolling the harbor including Lifeguards and Baywatch Captains. YES on C: -Preserves ocean views -Prevents overdevelopment -Requires more comprehensive traffic analysis of proposed development -Ensures Seaside Lagoon remains safe -Provides opportunity to develop a recreationally-centered harbor for future generations We can do better than another cookie-cutter mall. Revitalize our only harbor without supersizing. VOTE YES ON MEASURE C!

”

Opposition

Opponents

The following individuals signed the official argument against the measure:

• Patrick A. Aust, retired fire chief
• Larry Rosolowski, youth soccer regional commissioner
• Charles S. Szymanski, former director of South Bay Parkland Conservancy
• Jon Bucci, business owner
• Kiran Hashmi, community volunteer

Arguments against

Official argument

The following official argument was submitted in opposition to the measure:

“

MEASURE C IS A COSTLY POISON PILL FOR REDONDO BEACH. Measure C leads to tax increases and less revenue, creating a sinkhole in our harbor that will drain city resources and services from other priorities. Our aging Pier and Harbor need help. Infrastructure repairs will cost millions. In 2010, Redondo Beach Voters approved Measure G, our local coastal plan. This framework allowed the City to select a private partner to help repair and build necessary infrastructure without new taxes. Measure C thwarts Redondo Beach Voters' intent, depriving residents of any practical hope for an economically viable, environmentally sound, and sustainable waterfront. Your NO vote enables our voter-approved coastal plan to move forward with: - 11 acres of new open space; New restaurants featuring stunning ocean views; - New year-round free access to Seaside Lagoon; - New facilities for stand-up paddle boarders and kayakers; New two-lane boat launch and a boat hoist; - New improved connectivity and access for all; - An estimated $6,000,000 in new tax-free revenue annually. Measure C would force us to build a 1-acre swimming facility next to the ocean. A pool of that size would drown taxpayers in an estimated $20,000,000 of debt and drain approximately $800,000 annually from vital city services. Measure C boat launch restrictions create an uninhabitable -island- in the middle of the harbor and lead to 500,000 square feet of environmentally dangerous asphalt parking that pollutes the harbor. Do you really want to pay more taxes? Measure C eliminates all flexibility, stagnates revenues and potentially forces an estimated $200 Million in costs on you. Measure C kills 15 years of listening, planning and progress in Redondo Beach. We can't afford another 15 years. If you truly care, please VOTE NO ON MEASURE C.

”

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing local ballot measures in California

This measure was put on the ballot through a successful initiative petition campaign. To qualify an initiative for the ballot, signatures from 10 percent of registered voters within the city are required. A petition containing signatures from 15 percent of registered voters trigger a special election for the ballot measure.

As of the secretary of state's report on February 10, 2017, there were 47,347 registered voters in the city of Redondo Beach—giving a signature requirement of 4,734 valid signatures to qualify an initiative for a regular election and 7,102 to qualify an initiative for a special election.

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Redondo Beach Local zoning, land use and development Measure C. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Redondo Beach, California, King Harbor-Pier Development Restrictions, Measure C (March 2017) - Google News

See also

Local measures

• Local measures in 2017
• Local zoning, land use and development on the ballot

• Los Angeles County measures

California

• March 7, 2017 measures in California
• Local ballot measures, California
• Redondo Beach, California

News and analysis

• State and local preemption conflicts
• Measures advancing national agendas

External links

Suggest a link

• Los Angeles County Elections Office website