Pico Rivera resident asks council to reconsider zoning after city cites home-based training business

Nicholas Mitchell, a Pico Rivera resident, asked the city council to review zoning in his neighborhood after receiving a city complaint that his home-based strength-training business is not permitted under current residential zoning.

Mitchell said he moved his private, by-invitation training operation and $30,000 in specialized equipment into his garage to care for his son, who is 5 years old and was diagnosed with autism. He told the council he had been offering private 1-on-1 and small-group coaching while awaiting IHSS approval and that he had a DBA and an EIN. Mitchell said he received a neighborhood-improvement officer’s visit after a March 16 session and that written notice arrived the following day. He said he met on March 18 with Neighborhood Improvement Officer Ruben Benavides and senior planner Hector Hernandez, who explained that his property’s zoning does not allow his current operations and suggested mobile training as an alternative.

Mitchell asked for a chance to demonstrate his operation to city officials and requested that zoning in his area be reconsidered so he can continue to provide for his family while caring for his son. The city manager said staff would follow up on Mitchell’s request.

Why this matters: Mitchell’s request raises questions about how the city’s zoning rules apply to home-based businesses that provide services by appointment, use significant equipment, and operate with a limited client list. His appeal also connects to broader council discussion about zoning and code amendments earlier in the meeting.

What the council said and next steps

• Staff follow-up: The City Manager (on the record during the meeting) acknowledged the request and said staff would follow up with Mitchell. No formal zoning change or direction to staff to initiate a code amendment was recorded on the transcript for this item.

• Enforcement context: Mitchell said Neighborhood Improvement Officer Ruben Benavides informed him a complaint had been filed and that senior planner Hector Hernandez told him his residential zoning does not permit his operation as presented. Mitchell said Hernandez suggested mobile training as an alternative but that moving his equipment is not feasible given its size and cost.

• Resident details: Mitchell said his training crew is selective, charges dues, and he was preparing for a competition in San Diego on April 6; he also said he left full-time work two years ago to care for his son and that the training activity was a source of income while awaiting public benefits.

The council did not make a decision on zoning based on the public comment. Staff committed to follow up with Mitchell to explore options.