Inglewood council approves environmental finding and plan amendment for Morningside housing project over SAFER objections

The Inglewood City Council voted unanimously to adopt a Sustainable Communities environmental assessment (SCIA/SKIA variant referenced in staff materials) and approve a general-plan amendment to change about 23 acres at the former Morningside High School site from low- to medium-density residential. Mayor Butts moved the resolution and the clerk recorded Ayes from Councilmembers Gray, Padilla and Fogg.

Development Services Director Bernard McCrumbie told the council staff’s recommendation focuses on a 23-acre portion of a larger 68-acre area and described the proposed project as a 100% residential, phased development. McCrumbie said 571 units were analyzed in the environmental document and that the project’s average proposed density is about 25 dwelling units per acre; by-right maximums cited in staff materials would allow substantially higher totals.

During public comment, Chase Preciado of Lizzo Jury LLP, speaking for Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility (SAFER), urged the council to deny the SCIA and require the city to prepare a mitigated negative declaration (MND) or a full environmental impact report (EIR). Preciado cited two technical letters: traffic engineer Tom Brohard’s critique of the SCIA’s vehicle miles traveled (VMT) analysis and industrial hygienist Francis Offerman’s assessment that alleged long‑term formaldehyde emissions could expose future residents to a cancer risk “of 120 per million,” which Preciado said exceeds the significance threshold. "SAFER asked that the city council deny approval of the sustainable communities environmental assessment or SCIA for the Morningside residential project," Preciado said.

Councilmembers who spoke in support emphasized community outreach, phased construction, and school-district partnership. Councilmember Padilla said the proposal had been thoughtfully considered with community meetings and planning checks. Councilmember Fogg thanked staff for outreach and said the developer had engaged with residents. Councilmember Gray highlighted the affordable-housing component referenced in staff materials and the partnership with the school district; in remarks she acknowledged some public confusion about the exact affordable-unit count.

The motion before the council combined adoption of the city’s environmental finding (identified in the staff motion as SCA 2025-035/SCIA) and approval of General Plan Amendment No. 24-00002. The motion carried on a recorded roll call vote of four Ayes and no Nays.

What’s next: the council also approved a zone change consistent with the general-plan amendment (Zone Change No. 24-00001) and staff noted future approvals (site plan review and local traffic analysis) would be required before construction proceeds.