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Neighbors and owners spar over parking, historic-listing as council pulls Planning Commission item
Summary
Residents and applicants clashed over parking and historic-listing questions for a small-lot project at 54 Hermosa Ave. Council pulled the planning commission minutes item (7a/15d) for future agendized review and directed staff to prepare a review of the city's limited historic resources listing (three properties).
Public commenters and property representatives clashed Aug. 26 over parking adequacy and a potential historic-resource designation affecting redevelopment downtown. Scott Hayes, speaking in public comment, urged the council to reconsider Planning Commission approval for a project at 54 Hermosa Avenue, arguing the commission's resolution (25-09) mischaracterized nearby land uses and that the project's three on-site parking spaces would not serve two residential units plus 1,000 square feet of commercial space if the commercial space were occupied by offices.
The property owner, Yvonne Bernard, and architect Charles Belicker told the council the lower level must be retail under current rules and that the team has revised plans repeatedly to conform to small-lot development standards; they said the project provides ADUs and added housing of a more affordable type. The owner noted the project will still require Coastal Commission review.
Council debated whether pulling item 15d from the consent calendar would reopen the Planning Commission hearing (creating a rehearing/appeal); the city attorney advised that a formal appeal or specialized agendized review would be required to overturn a ministerial planning decision based on objective criteria. The council ultimately pulled the minutes/7a item from consent for future agendized review and directed staff to place a review of the limited historic resources ordinance on an upcoming agenda. Staff clarified the city's ordinance currently lists three properties: the Bijou Theater, the Bank of America building (90 Pier Ave) and the Waterman's Building. The mayor sought support to consider removing the Bank of America property from that ordinance.
What happens next: Item 7a (Planning Commission minutes) is pulled and will be agendized later; staff was directed to prepare the historic-list review for the next feasible meeting or soonest practicable date and to advise on procedural requirements for appeals or rehearings.
