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Commission approves Little Fish Theatre and Shakespeare by the Sea to operate live performance venue at BCHD campus
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit allowing Little Fish Theatre (with summer use by Shakespeare by the Sea) to operate a live performance theater in an 8,861 sq ft basement space at 514 N. Prospect Avenue, with a maximum of 98 audience members and conditions on hours, parking wayfinding and operations.
The Redondo Beach Planning Commission on Dec. 19 approved a conditional use permit to allow Little Fish Theatre — with seasonal use by Shakespeare by the Sea — to operate a live performance venue in an existing multi‑tenant public community facility at 514 North Prospect Avenue.
Senior planner Steven Yang told the commission the theater would occupy about 8,861 square feet in the lowest level of the Beach City's Health District (BCHD) campus and would be remodeled internally to add a lobby, storage and a 2,300‑square‑foot performance space with a maximum audience of 98. Yang said the stage would be approximately 30 square feet and host up to 10 performers at peak.
Yang said the campus has 812 parking spaces and that a 2024 parking study showed a surplus of spaces during evening hours when theater performances would take place; staff concluded adequate parking and site access exist. Staff added conditions including a maximum attendance limit, prescribed hours of operation, temporary wayfinding signage on performance days, and that all performances and rehearsals be conducted inside the enclosed theater space.
Representatives from Little Fish Theatre and Shakespeare by the Sea told commissioners the organizations had lost their San Pedro venue to redevelopment and that the BCHD campus offered a suitable, centrally located facility to resume programming. Madeline Drake, president of Little Fish Theatre’s board, said the organization provides volunteer opportunities and affordable, intimate theatrical experiences for the region. “The power of the theater is the emotional encounter in a shared space,” said artistic staff; members of the public also addressed the commission in support.
The commission voted by roll call to approve the exemption declaration and CUP. All voting commissioners present voted yes (recorded as unanimous among voters), and staff reported 24 written public comments in support during the noticing period and an additional 11 later; no written opposition was recorded.
Conditions require the theater to limit audience size, use on‑site wayfinding on performance days, comply with hours listed in the staff resolution, and conduct operations consistent with BCHD property rules. The CUP is issued to the performing organizations as the tenant at this address; BCHD serves as landlord.
