Commission studies "Smoky Hollow" incubator uses, raises parking and hazardous-materials limits

The El Segundo Planning Commission held a study session May 22 on how to implement the Smoky Hollow Specific Plan's vision for incubator and startup businesses, focusing on use definitions, permit pathways and parking and hazardous-materials limits.

Planning staff presenter Paul said the session was a follow-up to a September meeting and aimed to reconcile narrow code definitions with the flexible operations of modern startups. "This is a study session regarding start up technology companies in Smoky Hollow," Paul said. He described the specific plan's intent to attract creative and technology businesses and noted the challenge: traditional land-use categories and definitions can exclude businesses that mix research, small-scale manufacturing and office functions.

Why it matters: Smoky Hollow sits between residential neighborhoods and major industrial employers; the specific plan intentionally provides flexibility to encourage redevelopment and new uses. The commission's…