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Planning commission approves Gateway Plaza arcade, requires bike/scooter parking at city discretion
Summary
The Gardena Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for an amusement arcade at 1425 W. Artesia Blvd. (Gateway Plaza), imposing a condition authorizing the community development director to require bicycle and other micromobility parking to prevent obstruction of walkways.
The Gardena Planning Commission on a 5-0 vote approved a conditional use permit for an amusement arcade to operate at 1425 West Artesia Boulevard, Suite 23, in Gateway Plaza.
The commission adopted Resolution PC-4-25 approving Environmental Assessment EA-18-24 and Conditional Use Permit CUP-8-24, subject to the conditions in the staff report and an added condition delegating authority to the community development director to require bicycle, scooter and other micromobility parking accommodations by the landlord or business as needed to prevent encroachment on walkways and to protect pedestrian and handicap access.
Amanda, planning staff, told the commission the tenant space is roughly 1,500 square feet and the applicant proposed to install 30 claw-machine style amusement devices. Staff said the business would operate Monday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–10 p.m., with one to two employees on site and a target audience “for everyone above the ages of 3.” Amanda also said the project is categorically exempt from CEQA under Guidelines sections 15301 and 15061(b)(3) and that public notice was mailed to owners and occupants within 300 feet and published in the Gardena Valley News; “No public comments regarding the projects have been received at this time,” she said.
Applicants Hugh (owner) and Matthew Chi (owner, Wallach LLC) described the concept as a family-oriented claw-machine arcade modeled on similar venues in Japan and other locations in Southern California. Hugh said the concept “is very popular” overseas and described outreach and fundraising partnerships with local schools and community groups. He also told commissioners the business has low service demands (no food waste or water usage) and that most peak customers arrive in the evening after restaurant visits.
Commissioners and members of the public asked about bicycle and scooter parking given the plaza’s pedestrian corridor and nearby restaurant seating. Amanda noted the municipal code requires arcades to provide adequate bicycle parking; staff found one bike rack on-site and said a 300-foot distance rule among arcades is met. In response to concerns about bikes blocking pathways near restaurant seating and accessible parking, the motion was amended to authorize the director to require permanent micromobility parking at the plaza owner’s or tenant’s expense if staff deems it necessary.
The roll call vote was Commissioner Langley — yes; Vice Chair Reitschher — yes; Commissioner Sherman — yes; Commissioner Khan — yes; Chair Henderson — yes. The motion passed 5-0.
The resolution requires the applicant to obtain an amusement arcade establishment permit under Gardena Municipal Code Chapter 5.12 (business licensing) and comply with the municipal definition of an amusement arcade (five or more amusement devices) under Gardena Municipal Code section 18.32.03(h). Staff will file a notice of exemption under CEQA as directed by the commission.
The planning commission’s action allows the applicant to proceed with business-license permitting and tenant improvements under the conditions in the resolution and the added micromobility-parking authority for the community development director.
