Southern California City Halts All Mixed-Use Construction

"After years of mounting opposition to dense housing and retail projects in south Redondo Beach, city leaders have slapped a temporary ban on mixed-use development that could be extended up to two years," reports Megan Barnes.

The moratorium "was first considered by the previous council nearly two years ago amid public outcry over projects on Pacific Coast Highway, such as Sea Breeze and Legado," according to Barnes. "But the panel decided to hold off until making headway on updating the city’s mixed-use guidelines in its General Plan."

The council could extend the moratorium for two years if they make the case that "mixed-use projects pose an 'immediate threat' to public health, safety and welfare," according to Barnes.

The article includes a lot of soundbites from city officials to provide more detail on the political context of the decision. Popular points among the political leaders of the city: the city does not have a housing shortage and recent developments have changed the character of the city's neighborhoods. For more of the planning background, see an article by Kelcie Pegher on the city's ongoing General Plan update from March 2016.