[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6745630,"mediaKeyId","5419926-909c76fc292af5e653fc73f812fca538","parentId",5419926,"title","Residents, local advocates urge action to revive Artesia Boulevard; propose public markets and marketing app","audioSeconds",323,"startMs",1390000,"endMs",1713000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5419926-909c76fc292af5e653fc73f812fca538&start=1390&end=1713","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5419926-909c76fc292af5e653fc73f812fca538/thumbnail_1390000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6745630/Redondo-Beach-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Residents-local-advocates-urge-action-to-revive-Artesia-Boulevard-propose-public-markets-and-marketing-app","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6745630-66eb9b41d110e4a38799c59328c97c7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775635495&Signature=Koy6unINIuQsEmDs3YDGaE~paMgYoKL2TaORKgkDLzvME7vRTti6vQgZaNzuOQqLdjXitwPeOItIes0OUBys8AikzyDQ2TJWBaoGK0XbSwWCMJBquMwsjJl7JMaFnVG1N7lPGz6AxxlW3iXNg~uK6GP0ADB5tA2SUV~y2poQ5fKDeNgUwVTfZjhcfuTi2G8~Z9WD63uvs~E2ExLiJRHIVoHsnrRYusvF~Jqk1qp9IvqOgn36jdkvqce8hg6UliZg2FPmauLhIi4mQap7-moD9tMm~s6r-KZAIqBMx89ES4SNCFiY270NdBLazTfs9lKNy2n94-rU1fWyfjUR2I6gYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Redondo Beach, CA","date","2025-07-18T03:33:37.603Z","article","Speakers at the start of the July 17 meeting urged the commission and city staff to support near-term measures to drive customers back to Artesia Boulevard and the North Redondo business district.

Rick McQuillan said he had been developing a community-focused commerce platform in beta that combines maps of storefronts and a “TOPS” concept intended to link merchants to residents’ goals and needs. “This isn't big tech. It's community tech,” he told commissioners, and invited local commissions and merchants to participate in the project as it develops.

Jim Mueller of District 5 criticized the city's current approach to economic development for the north Artesia corridor and urged broader citizen input and mixed-use development. He recommended short-term, low-cost activations — for example, sponsoring public markets on the Greenway and promoting the North Redondo Beach Business Association's upcoming dine-around events — to boost foot traffic while longer-term redevelopment policies take shape.

No formal action was taken on these comments; staff and commissioners acknowledged the suggestions and referenced ongoing planning work for Artesia Boulevard and the ACAP area that will be discussed with City Council on Aug. 5.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","REDONDO BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING - JULY 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Speakers at the July 17 Planning Commission meeting urged immediate action to bring shoppers and visitors back to Artesia Boulevard, proposing pop-up markets, coordinated promotions and a community-focused commerce app.","taxTitle","Redondo Beach City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",4669,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6745636,"Planning commission backs ordinance to regulate smoke shops, urges stricter enforcement and buffer zones",5366,2032000,7398000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5419926-909c76fc292af5e653fc73f812fca538&start=2032&end=7398","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5419926-909c76fc292af5e653fc73f812fca538/thumbnail_2032000.jpg","/articles/6745636/Redondo-Beach-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Planning-commission-backs-ordinance-to-regulate-smoke-shops-urges-stricter-enforcement-and-buffer-zones","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6745636-c6c36e905bc62752af7506f9aba32d6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775635495&Signature=ocpbor2dyrirxPG6c9Zw3uU5lRKu0-YBC4bAMOjycWfBM6Wz5aiUEDIQ2glPFk1X4egU0P3BxToYVr536gIVNNXy6yK70GyipD8WXLr8Pe38WydiU5dsCcXHiNOUY5V~G1XPwxDwEYAkt0QLJaQwVeZceUIXzwgfcCUoqyLve-RxV1JqkfTFwk8pjR4LSen0Se8cTkP-SiVEvFcsLSQaOgQ00AlluAPGR-mN3P8fKl1xqyB6jb6wSmlK~sVzzYb2ORgl53Pvp70sQ8xKJwmmqvQ~Mgk80eiSpSdIBULqtwIYtduNiK71e2WRf5lUFuYY6MmV85bOR~N9k5qYVIJLOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Redondo Beach Planning Commission voted July 17 to recommend that the City Council adopt an ordinance to regulate smoke shops, requiring a conditional use permit (CUP) for new and existing retailers and establishing an initial cap of 10 citywide that would phase to five over time.

Planning Director Mark Weiner told the commission “there are approximately 15 to 17 smoke shops in Redondo Beach,” and said the draft ordinance responds to compliance concerns and documented instances of illegal product sales at some stores. The proposal directs existing establishments to obtain a CUP within five years; staff said the city would process CUPs for existing shops on a first-come, first-served basis and that some shops could be required to cease operations if they fail to secure a permit.

Commissioners said the proposal should be tightened before council action. The commission recommended changes including narrower operating hours, expanded buffers around parks and residential zones, clearer treatment of hookah and cigar lounges, and additions to enforcement tools. Commissioners repeatedly asked staff to return with mechanisms for administrative fines or other penalties, and with a bond or fee structure to help fund inspections and compliance work.

The draft ordinance would define “smoke shop” (tobacco retailer) and exempt ancillary tobacco sales if tobacco occupies no more than 2% of gross floor area or 200 square feet, whichever is less. It would mirror recently adopted cannabis rules by requiring minimum separation distances from sensitive uses (600 feet from schools/day-care and similar), 1,000 feet between like retailers, and a 150-foot buffer for certain parks. Staff said the ordinance limits hours to 8 a.m.–9 p.m. by default but can be modified by the commission; several commissioners proposed changing the start time to 10 a.m.

Commissioners pressed staff on enforcement specifics. Assistant City Attorney Cheryl Park and staff explained the municipal code currently permits criminal infractions and CUP revocation, but that a civil/administrative citation program and associated fines are not yet in the city’s code. Staff agreed to research adding an administrative citation or civil-penalty regime, to propose a bond option for CUP applicants, and to identify possible funding sources — including state grants under Proposition 56 — to support police and code enforcement efforts.

Public commenters addressed enforcement and youth protection. Eugene Solomon, Redondo Beach District 1, asked the commission to recommend the council seek Proposition 56 enforcement grant funds; he cited Fresno’s $1.4 million award for illegal tobacco sales enforcement. Lee Martin of the California Fuels & Convenience Alliance warned that the ancillary-sales thresholds and vapor-product definitions could unintentionally reclassify convenience stores and gas stations as smoke shops and asked for NAICS-code exemptions and protections for business transfers. A representative of the California PTA urged the commission to explicitly cover synthetic- or tobacco‑free nicotine products marketed to youth; staff said the draft ecigarette definition treats most vaping “juice” as tobacco paraphernalia for purposes of the ordinance.

Votes at a glance: The commission voted to adopt the resolution recommending council adopt the ordinance with the commission’s suggested amendments (agenda item J-1, PC25-10-25). Roll-call vote: Commissioner Light — yes; Commissioner Boswell — yes; Commissioner Young — yes; Commissioner Gattis — yes; Commissioner Conroy — yes; Commissioner Hazeltine — yes; Chairperson Craig — yes. Outcome: approved (7–0).

Next steps: Staff will incorporate the planning commission’s suggestions and bring a revised ordinance and accompanying enforcement options to the City Council. Staff also said the moratorium remains in place while the city finalizes the permanent ordinance. The commission noted it had up to a year under the urgency ordinance to settle substantial changes before final council action.","The Redondo Beach Planning Commission voted July 17 to recommend that the City Council adopt an ordinance to regulate smoke shops, requiring conditional use permits and creating an initial citywide cap that would phase down over time.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6745625,"Planning staff outlines permitting upgrades, outsourcing plan checks and upcoming ACAP discussion",599,7423000,8022000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5419926-909c76fc292af5e653fc73f812fca538&start=7423&end=8022","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5419926-909c76fc292af5e653fc73f812fca538/thumbnail_7423000.jpg","/articles/6745625/Redondo-Beach-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Planning-staff-outlines-permitting-upgrades-outsourcing-plan-checks-and-upcoming-ACAP-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6745625-32dc3da8fc75bcdab5ea67758609908b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775635495&Signature=eTN3HfsszKNntmTcgRizR-YcSuIEniLyTMsE8-ush0YrM21pZpwA5IJpVhmaVzUxyXXULQ1l6MsxLfNwdYRqldsb8PTYbDhgqI8NTOPZHsI6gIHjS9CslYnxt12n13n0bnwH6cCkzEwuH5YhOO69seUJt6U85zkFfLxKEkP8rmYRnx6N~VekyQ-hAz-oCSjsVJ3syg02pYTYFHhojR8UTc9qhJvaGk~cAEE9ITG-HuJSdrZN4FqWtP5iHkHGw~FWfeT9FUs-V4iaAi0b1n94bbdk506zeiGxiYFYAQpwTBCERQytZbDSnMjvVgPZeaX21p9uyH5ZblU9~1f2l2-G5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning Director Mark Weiner updated the commission on internal operations and upcoming policy work during the July 17 meeting.

Weiner said the Community Development Department completed a strategic plan and recently launched a new permitting platform (IWORK). He reported the city is entering agreements with third-party plan-check consultants to shorten building-plan review times; the department expects average plan-check turnaround targets of roughly two to three weeks for many reviews. Staff said they are exploring AI-assisted review tools to accelerate administrative checks while retaining human quality control.

Weiner also told the commission that General Plan Phase 2 will return to City Council on Aug. 5 with a narrow focus on the ACAP (Artesia Corridor) area and potential incentives and implementation strategies to encourage redevelopment; staff included a property-owner survey and feasibility visuals showing parking and floor-area-ratio tradeoffs.","Planning staff told the commission that a department strategic plan and a new online permitting system (IWORK) are in place, and that the city will outsource building-plan checks to reduce review time. Staff also previewed General Plan Phase 2 work focused on the Artesia Corridor (ACAP area), scheduled for City Council review in August.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents, local advocates urge action to revive Artesia Boulevard; propose public markets and marketing app

Planning commission backs ordinance to regulate smoke shops, urges stricter enforcement and buffer zones

Planning staff outlines permitting upgrades, outsourcing plan checks and upcoming ACAP discussion