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Commission approves Tozai Plaza arcade; operator Kidoruto Inc. must provide bike parking as needed
Summary
The commission approved a conditional use permit for a 1,000-square-foot arcade at Tozai Plaza (Western Ave. & Redondo Beach Blvd.), allowing 31 amusement devices with hours and staff conditions, and delegated authority to the director to require micromobility parking accommodations.
The Gardena Planning Commission unanimously approved a conditional use permit for an amusement arcade at Tozai Plaza, northeast of Redondo Beach Boulevard and Western Avenue.
By a 5-0 vote the commission adopted Resolution PC-5-25 approving Environmental Assessment EA-20-24 and Conditional Use Permit CUP-9-24 for a 1,000-square-foot tenant space proposed to contain 31 amusement devices. The business’s stated hours are Monday–Sunday, 1 p.m.–9 p.m., and staff will require employees to be present during operating hours. Staff recommended approval and to file a notice of exemption under CEQA.
Amanda, planning staff, said the site is in the C-3 general commercial zone, sits on a 3.2-acre property with about 216 parking spaces, and that one bicycle parking space exists roughly 60 feet from the proposed tenant space. She reiterated the project’s CEQA categorical exemption findings under Guidelines sections 15301 and 15061(b)(3) and said public notice was sent and published; no written comments were received.
Osamu, a representative of Kidoruto Inc., described the company’s Japan-based parent and the applicant’s recent U.S. expansion, referencing prior openings in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Northern California. Osamu said the company deploys claw and capsule-toy machines in shopping centers and grocery-store locations and that the Tozai Plaza site would be part of that roll-out.
Commissioners asked whether staff or the operator would manage bicycle parking and whether plaza security could help direct customers to the rack. Amanda confirmed staff could require the same condition added to the prior item: the director can require bicycle/micromobility accommodations at the property owner’s or tenant’s direction, and enforcement would be coordinated with code enforcement if complaints arise.
The motion to adopt Resolution PC-5-25 passed on roll call: Commissioner Langley — yes; Vice Chair Reitschher — yes; Commissioner Khan — yes; Commissioner Sherman — yes; Chair Henderson — yes. The resolution instructs staff to file the CEQA notice of exemption and requires the applicant to obtain a business-license amusement arcade establishment permit before opening.
Staff noted two token machines in the floor plan and advised that staff and the landlord would work with the applicant to identify a permanent micromobility parking solution if plaza conditions change during busier months.
The approval allows Kidoruto Inc. to proceed with building permits and business-license processing subject to the conditions in PC-5-25 and any landlord approvals needed.
