Council confirms new planning board and zoning board members after public comments about Bayfront and process

The Long Beach City Council confirmed appointments to a newly created planning board and to the zoning board of appeals on Tuesday, approving a seven-member planning board and two zoning board members.

City Manager Dan Creighton told the council the planning board’s slate was selected from many applicants and that terms were staggered (three three-year terms, two two-year terms and two one-year terms) so the board’s membership rotates annually. He said the first planning-board meeting is set for March 6 and that training has begun.

The planning-board confirmation passed with three affirmative votes and one dissent: Councilmember Mike Lester said he would vote no because the community had not had adequate input into the selection process. Councilmember Bridal, Councilmember Reinhart and President Fenn voted in favor.

The two zoning board appointments were confirmed unanimously; one reappointment was necessary because a previous appointee had not been sworn within the required period.

Several community members spoke during public comment, urging the council and the planning board to prioritize inclusion and to consider North Park’s history of industrial uses and contamination. James Hodge, Crystal Lake and other speakers asked that planning decisions for the Bayfront include community benefit agreements, remediation commitments and visible community participation.

Council members and staff said the administration secured a planning grant that will support inclusive study of the Bayfront and that the city plans outreach as part of that grant-funded planning effort. The council also swore in the new members at the meeting.

Council staff and the mayor’s office said training sessions were underway and that the board will begin work on land-use reviews for developments larger than three-family houses and on commercial and mixed-use proposals as the board’s initial responsibilities.