Hermosa Beach files 2024 housing element progress report; council receives and files unanimously

The Hermosa Beach City Council received and filed the 2024 annual progress report for the city’s 2021–2029 housing element, as required by state law.

The report, covering calendar year 2024, summarizes building permits, entitlements and policy actions related to the housing element certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) in August 2024. Council voted unanimously to receive and file the report.

Key points from the report and council discussion City staff told the council the city issued 16 building permits during 2024 for a total of 18 residential units and recorded eight entitlements covering 21 residential units. Staff described the year’s work as focused on achieving HCD certification, updating zoning and ordinance text (including accessory dwelling unit rules), and preparing the code amendments that HCD required. The report is the city’s formal annual update that HCD will review and may follow up on with questions.

Council and public concerns Several public commenters and two council members pressed for action beyond the report, saying the city’s implementation program has not produced significant downtown mixed‑use housing. Speakers and some council members singled out the recently adopted "land value recapture" (LVR) policy as a barrier for small, downtown redevelopment sites; they urged staff and the planning commission to reexamine whether small lots should be exempted from the LVR charge or whether other incentives (fee waivers, density bonuses for small sites) could be used to spur development.

Formal action Council Member Jackson moved to receive and file the progress report and direct staff to submit it to HCD. The motion passed unanimously.

Why this matters HCD reviews the annual progress report to assess whether local policies and actions are advancing housing production. Council members warned that if the city does not show progress toward housing goals, HCD could seek clarifications or request adjustments to local policy. The council discussed that the reporting process is policy‑focused: the city must show that it has programs, zoning and an environment conducive to producing housing even though the city does not itself build units.

Next steps Council action tonight simply filed the required report and authorized submittal to HCD. Several council members asked staff to bring the LVR issue and potential small‑site exemptions to the planning commission for review and to discuss options at upcoming budget/CIP planning sessions.

Actions recorded - Motion to receive and file the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report and submit to HCD: moved by Council Member Jackson; seconded by (recorded second); vote: unanimous.