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Gardena planning panel approves conditional use permit for Westside Collector Car Storage
Summary
The Gardena Planning Commission approved Resolution PC12-25 to allow Westside Collector Car Storage to operate private vehicle storage and related services at 1608–1612 W. 139th St. Staff cited a CEQA Class 1 exemption; the facility will use automotive lifts, a small wash/detail bay and operate 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; the vote was 4–0.
The Gardena Planning Commission on an undisputed vote approved a conditional use permit allowing Westside Collector Car Storage to operate private vehicle storage and detailing at 1608–1612 West 139th Street.
Planning staff presented environmental assessment EA17-24 and conditional use permit CUP7-24, describing two industrial buildings totaling about 23,334 square feet on roughly 0.9 acres in an M-2 (general industrial) zone. Staff said the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under Class 1 for existing facilities and recommended adoption of Resolution PC12-25 and filing a notice of exemption. Staff’s packet described 35 parking spaces on the combined parcels (four more than the warehouse parking ratio requirement of 31), internal Ben-Pak vehicle lifts, a car wash/detail bay and hours of operation from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
At the podium the applicant, who introduced himself as Matt Farah, owner and founder of Westside Collector Car Storage, said his company operates a concierge storage model: monthly battery tenders, periodic start-ups and detailing for vehicles stored on site. Farah said the business previously operated in Playa Vista and that customers come from neighboring beach cities.
Commissioners questioned fire and safety procedures and the prospect of storing electric vehicles. Farah said the buildings are fully sprinklered, that stored vehicles are generally kept on 12-volt battery tenders and that electric vehicles are stored only infrequently; when they are, Farah said staff use only OEM portable charging cables into a standard 110V outlet and set charge limits to about 65 percent. He also said the operation engages a professional contractor (Cintas) to service fire extinguishers and sprinkler testing and that the company’s insurer is Hagerty, which insures collector-vehicle businesses.
No public comments were received during the hearing. Commissioner Langley moved to adopt Resolution PC12-25 subject to the conditions of approval and to direct staff to file a notice of exemption; the motion passed and the clerk read the vote as 4–0. Staff reminded the public that the decision becomes final unless a written appeal is filed with the city clerk within 10 calendar days or the City Council calls the matter for review within that period.
The commission’s action allows the applicant to proceed with the project subject to the conditions attached to the resolution and any required permits (including local business and building permits).
