Council approves development plan for 901 Hermosa Avenue after lengthy debate over decommissioned space and parking

Hermosa Beach — The City Council voted Jan. 27 to approve a precise development plan and lot-line adjustment for 901 Hermosa Avenue, permitting a remodel and a 4,058-square-foot third-floor addition to an existing two-story, multi-tenant commercial building. The council tied approval to conditions intended to prevent later conversion of a centrally located, so‑called “decommissioned” area and directed staff to recalculate floor-area and parking impacts.

Kanika Pompey, the city’s contract planner, told council the building’s existing permitted floor area is 12,012 square feet and the proposed project would add a third floor while decommissioning roughly 1,340 square feet on the second floor; staff recommended the project be found categorically exempt from CEQA and approved subject to conditions. “The project was reviewed for consistency with the zoning code and general plan,” Pompey said during the staff presentation.

Developer Kyle Ransford,…