Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning Commission approves remodel to create second residence at interior Hermosa lot
Summary
The Planning Commission unanimously approved PDP 23‑06, allowing conversion and additions to an existing two‑story home and garage into two single‑family residences with four garage spaces. Staff found the project consistent with municipal code and categorically exempt from CEQA (Class 1).
The Hermosa Beach Planning Commission on Nov. 18 unanimously approved a precise development plan to remodel an existing two‑story single‑family home and attached garage/workshop into two separate single‑family residences with four garage parking spaces. The commission voted to adopt the draft resolution after hearing a staff presentation and questions from commissioners.
Planning staff presented the case, noting the site is a 6,538‑square‑foot interior lot in the southeastern portion of Hermosa Beach with a medium‑density general plan designation and R‑3 multiple‑family zoning. Planner Kanika Pompey said the proposal remodels a 3,457‑square‑foot house and attached garage/workshop, will add garage area to create two two‑car garages (tandem arrangements are allowed by code), and provides roughly 1,400 square feet of private open space for the existing unit and 580 square feet for the new unit. "The project was reviewed for compliance with the zoning code and general plan," Pompey said, and staff concluded it meets local development standards and recommended adoption of the draft resolution.
Commissioners asked whether the new unit would be a condominium or remain under single ownership and whether parking allocation was acceptable when spaces are in tandem. Staff and the applicant confirmed the property would remain under single ownership for now and that the zoning and code allow two units on a single lot without condominium subdivision. The applicant told the commission the property is currently owned by a single owner and that each unit will have assigned parking within the reconfigured garage areas.
After deliberation, Commissioner Hoffman said he had reservations about possible future subdivision but concluded the project was otherwise conforming and would approve. The motion carried unanimously (ayes recorded for Commissioners McNally, Hoffman, Flaherty, Vice Chair Aizon and Chair Hirsch). The project was found categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under the Class 1 exemption for existing facilities.
Next steps: the commission’s action authorizes staff to finalize conditions and resolutions; any future request to subdivide or condominium‑convert the lot would require separate approvals.
