Redondo Beach planning commission denies coastal permit for 49‑unit PCH project over parking and safety gaps

Redondo Beach — The Planning Commission on Tuesday denied a coastal development permit and related state density bonus concessions for a proposed four‑story, 49‑unit mixed‑use condominium at 401–417 South Pacific Coast Highway, saying the record did not include objective evidence that cutting required commercial parking would not harm coastal access or public safety.

Commissioners voted to adopt a resolution denying the applicant’s request for density bonus relief to reduce commercial parking from the city’s local coastal program requirement of 68 spaces to 44 spaces and to waive a required 14‑day shared‑parking utilization survey. The motion to deny carried on a roll call with six aye votes; the chair declared the motion carried.

Staff had recommended approval. Sean Scully, the city’s planning manager, told the commission that under AB 2011 (as amended by AB 2243) and state density bonus law many local standards are applied ministerially and that concessions must be granted unless the city can make narrow, objective findings—such as a specific adverse impact on public health or safety—based on the record. "Our conclusion is that the city cannot make the required findings to deny the request," Scully said during the staff presentation.

The applicant’s attorney, Elisa Pastor of Rand Pastor Nelson,…