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Hermosa Beach council delays vote on patio encroachment fees after small-business outcry
Summary
After multiple neighborhood business owners and residents urged lower rates and more transparency, the Hermosa Beach City Council voted 4'to—2 to move consideration of revised commercial encroachment fees to a future meeting. Council members said they wanted more information and time to meet affected owners.
The Hermosa Beach City Council voted 4'to—2 on Feb. 3 to postpone consideration of changes to commercial encroachment fees after a wave of public comments from small-business operators who said the proposed schedule would harm neighborhood stores.
Business owners and residents told the council the fees ' which staff said have been in effect since July 1, 2025 at $2.50 per square foot ' fall particularly hard on small retailers and convenience stores that use modest patio space. Lana, the owner of the Green Store, told council she was blindsided by an earlier fee increase and asked for a rollback to $1 per square foot for neighborhood businesses: "They just broadsided us with a letter saying, hey, your fees are gonna be increased 100%."
Mayor and council members debated whether to act immediately or wait for more information and a direct meeting with the business owner who asked for the delay. Planning staff and other council members noted that any adopted fee change would take 30 days to take effect after adoption, reducing the urgency to adopt an amendment at tonight's meeting. Councilmember Francois said the postponement was intended to allow staff to gather additional data and meet with impacted proprietors; "I think your public comments are important and credible and should be heard," Francois said.
The motion to pull item 17C from the agenda and table it to a future meeting was made from the floor and seconded. On a roll call vote, the motion passed 4'to—2. The council president noted that public comment on the issue had been substantial and urged speakers to return when the item is rescheduled.
What happens next: City staff will return with additional information and any requested documentation from the business owner who asked that the item be rescheduled. The council directed affected parties to remain engaged and said the item will be placed on an upcoming agenda once staff has met with stakeholders.
Officials and residents may still submit materials to the city clerk or speak at the rescheduled hearing; no fee changes took effect as a result of tonight's action.
