Planning Commission continues contentious 3415 Palm Drive hearing after public appeals

The Hermosa Beach Planning Commission on May 20 voted 5'0'' to continue the public hearing on a proposed project at 3415 Palm Drive to a later date.

Commissioners opened the public hearing on a continuance request after staff confirmed the applicant had requested the delay. Several residents who live near the site urged the commission to preserve neighborhood scale and to seek clearer, more detailed findings should the project proceed.

Diana Bradshaw, who identified her address as 3320 Highland Avenue and said she grew up across the street from the project site, told the commission she would not be able to attend the June hearing and asked the commission to oppose the development. "I think it's a monster that you're letting into the city," she said, adding concerns about zoning, height limits and parking.

Nancy Schwaback, speaking later in the public comment period, thanked staff for outreach and urged staff and the commission to prepare specific written findings addressing areas of conformance and nonconformance with the General Plan and other legal considerations. Schwaback requested that staff explicitly set out, for the public record, where the project does and does not comply with objective standards and how any builder's remedy would affect the commission's options. She referenced potential legal issues that could be considered in review, including CEQA, the Coastal Act and the Mello Act.

Another resident, who said he had sent a letter to the governor, urged more public turnout and attention at the continued hearing.

After hearing public comment the commission acted on a motion to continue the hearing at the applicant's request; the motion carried 5'0''. No formal project decision or vote on the merits was taken at the May 20 meeting. The continuance preserves opportunity for additional staff analysis and public input at the later hearing date.