The Inglewood Planning Commission on Jan. 13 voted to recommend that the City Council adopt a zone‑code amendment that would allow cosmetology uses — including barbershops, beauty salons and nail salons — in HC, MU‑1, MU‑1A and MUA zoning districts while keeping the existing 300‑foot separation requirement.

Miss Brooks, a planning staff presenter, told the commission the change is intended to respond to a citywide shift in commercial vacancy and residential density and to restore services that support neighborhood retail corridors. "By requiring 20 days for all public hearing noticing … it will also be consistent with state law," she said earlier in the presentation about related noticing updates.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said reintroducing permitted cosmetology uses could activate vacant storefronts, increase pedestrian activity on corridors such as Market Street and support small businesses and local employment. Commissioner Fala called the proposal an opportunity for career technical education and youth engagement.

Local business testimony: Trevor Graham, who identified himself as the owner of a barbershop on Regent Street, told the commission his business has been in Inglewood since 1995 and described extensive volunteer and mentoring work with youth and local organizations. "We've opened up in 1995, and we've been here, and we've seen the transformation of the city," Graham said, adding that his shop provides training and life skills for young people.

Several residents and community leaders spoke in support of Graham. Tierney Erwin credited the barbershop with helping her get to college and providing networking; Cinder Eller, a longtime resident and city employee, and Dr. Reginald Black Sr., coordinating director of the Inglewood Mortuary, described Trevor's local hiring and mentoring of unhoused residents and youth.

The motion: Commissioner Fowler moved to affirm categorical exemption EACE2026‑004 and recommend that the City Council adopt ZCA25‑00002; Commissioner Shaw Williams seconded. The commission voted to recommend adoption and staff said the recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration.

What happens next: The Planning Commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the City Council, which must consider the ordinance and any final approvals. Staff told the commission it had received no written public comments on the amendment and that staff found the proposal consistent with the general plan and exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA.

The commission also discussed, during the same agenda item, proposed changes to the Planned Assembly Development standards (reducing the minimum size threshold citywide to 20,000 square feet and allowing director discretion for PADs no smaller than 15,000 square feet) and a proposal to remove the Art Deco design overlay to streamline review. Staff emphasized that the 300‑foot separation standard for cosmetology uses would remain to allow continued Commission oversight of concentrations.

The Planning Commission recessed briefly after the vote and moved to the next agenda item.