Planning commission approves Chipotle conditional use permit at 413 N. Pacific Coast Highway

The Redondo Beach Planning Commission voted unanimously to adopt an exemption declaration and grant a conditional use permit allowing a Chipotle restaurant to operate at 413 North Pacific Coast Highway.

Senior Planner Steven Jiang presented the proposal and recommended approval, saying the tenant space would be 2,533 square feet within a 257,349-square-foot lot and that the project’s layout would reduce the adjacent Centinela Pet Feed store by about 2,877 square feet to make room for the restaurant. Jiang said staff’s findings show the use conforms to the city’s general plan and that the site has adequate access from three streets. "Staff recommends that the planning commission make the findings as set forth in the staff report, adopt the exemption declaration, and grant the requested conditional use permit subject to the plans and applications submitted," Jiang said.

The presentation said the restaurant would operate daily from 10:45 a.m. to 11 p.m., employ about 40 people with no more than roughly 12 on shift at peak times, include 1,025 square feet of dining area (297 square feet of seating) and provide 16 of 56 total seats in an outdoor dining area separated from the sidewalk by fencing. Staff referenced a 2016 parking study showing a weekday surplus of 53 parking spaces and a weekend surplus of 76 spaces; the proposed Chipotle requires 11 parking spaces, which staff described as adequate.

During questions, commissioners and the project architect discussed tenant reconfiguration (a tanning salon would vacate and the pet store would shrink), landscaping constraints because of subterranean parking and the presence of EV chargers. Architect Gailare Arbab, a senior designer with MMA Architecture, said the team planned movable planters rather than built-in planting because the underground garage limits weight-bearing capacity.

Commissioner Conroy moved to adopt a resolution approving the exemption declaration and granting the conditional use permit (case no. 20250247) "based on the findings and conditions in the staff report." The motion was seconded and carried by roll call: Commissioners Light, Boswell, Young, Gattis, Conroy, Hazeltine and Chairperson Craig all voted yes. The commission recorded the motion as approved.

Conditions discussed include compliance with building and safety requirements for ingress and egress, adherence to the proposed hours of operation, no live or amplified exterior entertainment, and that any sale of beer would require the applicant to obtain a license from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

The commission closed the public hearing on the item after public and applicant comments and approved the permit. No vote counts beyond the unanimous approval were required. The permit will proceed under the conditions reflected in the staff report.