Planning commission approves Gardena Honda auto‑repair building amid neighbor parking complaints

The Gardena Planning and Environmental Quality Commission voted 5-0 to approve a site plan review allowing a 4,260‑square‑foot auto‑repair building at an existing motor vehicle dealership in the city’s general commercial (C‑3) zone.

Assistant Planner Kevin Law told commissioners the project requires Environmental Assessment EA‑3‑25 and Site Plan Review SPR‑2‑25 and is categorically exempt from CEQA review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15303 (new construction of small structures). He said the parcel is about 3.4 acres, is currently used as a service parking lot for the dealership, and that the proposal would add a building with eight service bays.

The project, as presented by staff, meets development standards for floor‑area ratio, building height, setbacks, street‑front landscaping, walls and fencing, and off‑street parking requirements for a motor vehicle dealership. Law said the project would result in the loss of 35 existing parking spaces on the site but still show a surplus of 26 spaces above the minimum off‑street parking requirement after the new building is included. Staff recommended adoption of Resolution PC‑14‑25 approving EA‑3‑25 and SPR‑2‑25 subject to conditions and directing staff to file a notice of exemption.

Neighbor Shane Lintell, who identified himself as a resident living less than 100 feet behind the dealership, told commissioners employees already park in surrounding residential streets and leave trash. “Their employees are already… taking all of our parking spaces,” Lintell said, and he added that some dealership vehicles test‑drive through nearby residential streets and “drive over 25 miles per hour” in the neighborhood. Lintell asked the commission to hold the project to the limits of the approved size and not allow expansion beyond what was permitted.

Architect Franz Nolesny of Studio 4, representing the applicant Gardena Honda, replied that the project does not change existing access points and that no new curb cuts or circulation changes are proposed. “Everything is staying the same entirely,” Nolesny said, adding that vehicle intake and circulation would continue to occur on the existing drive aisles and that the proposal would not change traffic patterns on Western Avenue. When asked about employee parking, the applicant said the dealership provides parking on upper floors of its facility and that the dealership will reiterate parking rules to employees on a monthly basis.

Commissioners did not request additional conditions beyond the standard conditions of approval recommended by staff. Commissioner Langley made the motion to adopt Resolution PC‑14‑25 approving EA‑3‑25 and SPR‑2‑25 subject to the attached conditions; Vice Chair Khan seconded. The commission voted 5‑0 to approve the project. The chair noted the decision will be final unless a written appeal is filed with the city clerk and the appropriate fee within 10 calendar days or the City Council calls the matter for review during the same 10‑day period.

If the applicant proceeds, staff will file a notice of exemption and the project will move forward under the approved conditions of approval.