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San Fernando council approves driveway connection for former Firestone site with parking, outreach conditions
Summary
After objections from downtown businesses, the council approved a one-way driveway license connecting 104 S. McClellay (former Firestone) to city-owned Parking Lot 4, conditioning approval on no net loss of parking attributable to the agreement, a six‑month re-evaluation of traffic, anti‑graffiti film if it does not void warranties, and staff outreach on parking and trash management.
The San Fernando City Council voted to approve a one‑way access driveway license allowing a private redevelopment at 104 South McClellay Avenue to connect with the city’s Parking Lot 4, after a lengthy debate over downtown parking and trash impacts.
The project, proposed by R&M BD, Inc., would convert the former Firestone building into three tenant spaces and create a drive aisle between the private site and the city lot. Property owner Jonathan Hanosab said the connection is key to attracting national tenants and estimated roughly $2 million in redevelopment costs for the roughly 7,000‑square‑foot center. “We are very excited to redevelop this project,” Hanosab told the council, adding that tenants require visibility, access and sufficient parking.
Staff described owner‑funded improvements that would be required by the license, including restriping compact stalls, directional signage, a designated pedestrian walkway, additional lighting, mirrors and a trash enclosure. Staff also noted the proposal preserves the overall number of parking spaces in the area and added one compact stall in the transition zone.
Downtown business operators delivered a letter asking the council to postpone approval and to require business outreach, a parking and employee‑parking plan, a waste‑management plan, and a current parking demand analysis reflecting post‑pandemic conditions. The San Fernando Collective’s letter said the 2023 outreach to the mall association did not include direct, current outreach to businesses that rely on Parking Lot 4.
Council members pressed the owner and staff for details about employee parking, trash enclosures and precedent for past driveway connections. Several council members urged staff to follow up on the businesses’ concerns; staff told the council they could complete targeted outreach within about 30 days and would re‑evaluate traffic conditions six months after the connection opened.
Mayor Joe Fardo moved the license agreement. The council amended the motion to add three conditions: (1) no net loss of parking attributable to this agreement; (2) staff outreach to downtown businesses on parking and trash (not intended as a veto of the project); and (3) the property owner should apply anti‑graffiti film to storefront glass provided it does not void any manufacturer or contractor warranty. The motion passed on a roll‑call vote.
What’s next: The owner must submit final construction and site‑plan drawings for city review (estimated review ~60 days). Staff will conduct outreach with downtown businesses and report back on whether additional traffic‑control or pedestrian safety measures such as a mid‑block flashing crossing or additional speed bumps are needed.
