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Planning staff previews Phase 2 zoning-code update; commissioners discuss bylaws and attendance rule
Summary
Planning staff told the commission that Phase 2 of Lomita’s zoning-code update — covering commercial development standards, definitions and parking — is expected to come to the commission in May or June.
Planning Department staff told the Lomita Planning Commission on Jan. 13 that Phase 2 of the city’s zoning-code update is under way and is expected to return to the commission for review in roughly May or June. Staff said Phase 2 will focus on commercial development standards, definitions for land uses, and parking provisions to align with the permanent use table.
Staff said the Phase 2 package is large but that the expectation is it will clarify and reorganize existing standards rather than substantially change development requirements; items that will require substantive discussion may be brought to the commission separately. Staff estimated the city has a long list of additional code updates to process and that some topics will be presented in separate meetings to allow focused conversation.
Commissioners asked whether Phase 2 materials will be provided in pieces or as a single package; staff said Phase 2 will come to the commission as one package but that other code updates will be presented in pieces. When asked about a deadline, staff said there is no fixed deadline and that multiple meetings can be scheduled as needed.
The commission also returned to a previously raised question about the commission’s bylaws and the municipal-code limit that restricts commissioners to no more than three unexcused absences without council approval. Staff said bylaws are mostly up to date and that changes to the municipal code — which also affects other city commissions — would require City Council action. A commissioner suggested modifying the municipal-code process so commissioners are not required to publicly explain absences during a council meeting, saying the current process can feel embarrassing and that some absences are caused by unavoidable personal matters.
Staff offered to make the bylaws document available to commissioners and said the planning commission bylaws item can be brought to the commission at any time. No formal action was taken on bylaws or the code-update schedule at the Jan. 13 meeting.
