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Council certifies EIR and clears zoning for Park Tower student housing, drawing neighborhood concerns over parking and safety
Summary
The council certified the Park Tower environmental impact report, approved a general plan amendment and initiated a zoning change to allow a private dormitory conversion at 5150 E. Pacific Coast Highway — a 149‑suite project serving up to 593 beds and proposing 364 parking stalls — after public comments raised parking and pedestrian‑safety concerns.
The City Council certified the environmental impact report and approved land‑use and zoning changes needed to convert a seven‑story office building at 5150 East Pacific Coast Highway into a private dormitory serving up to 593 students.
City planners said the project would create 149 residential suites, approximately 22,000 square feet of new open space, a 728‑square‑foot pavilion and 364 on‑site parking stalls in a subterranean garage. The applicant requested a general plan amendment to change the property from Community Commercial to a Neighborhood Serving Center (moderate) place type and a zoning map amendment to the MU‑3 (Mixed Use 3) district to permit special group residency upon a conditional use permit. Staff also noted the site’s proximity to multiple transit lines and existing bike lanes and that it is in a parking‑exempt area under state law.
Neighbors and homeowners raised concerns during public comment about potential spillover parking into adjacent single‑family streets and pedestrian safety near the Pacific Coast Highway corridor. "There are 594 people in the project and 364 parking spaces — that will actually spill over into our residential community," a Park Estates representative told the council and asked for additional study. Construction‑trade speakers urged prevailing‑wage and apprenticeship provisions and local hiring commitments for the build.
Council members asked questions about parking ratios, shuttle coordination with Cal State Long Beach and mitigations for pedestrian safety. Staff said the project includes EV charging, bicycle parking, and potential shuttle or car‑share options and that alternatives were considered in the EIR.
Council took four separate votes to certify the EIR and mitigation monitoring program, adopt the general plan amendments and supporting findings, introduce and read the zoning map change ordinance (first reading), and affirm the Planning Commission's conditional approval of site plan and conditional use permit. All votes carried.
What's next: the zoning ordinance will return for second reading as required for adoption and staff will work with the developer on mitigation measures related to circulation and neighborhood impacts.
