Inglewood planning commission backs zoning changes to repeal medical overlay and expand major-event parking

The Inglewood Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council adopt Zoning Code Amendment 26-00001, a package of changes staff says will simplify rules for redevelopment and increase parking options during large events.

Senior planner Renea Brooks told commissioners the amendment would repeal the Medical Enterprise Overlay (created in 2008) because its standards have become “prohibitive” and are discouraging rehabilitation and adaptive reuse. Brooks said underlying RM and C2 zoning regulations would remain, while certain prohibited uses would be relocated to RM regulations to retain compatibility with residential zoning. She summarized staff’s recommendation: “Staff recommends the overlay be repealed.”

Brooks also recommended repealing the Inglewood International Business Park specific plan, adopted in 1993, saying the area’s transformation into a sports-and-entertainment district has made the plan’s original industrial standards obsolete and that repeal would increase compatible development potential.

The third change would alter the city’s major-event parking rules. Brooks said the current standard—initially applied after SoFi Stadium opened in 2020 and tied to venues with at least 10,000 seats—was broadened in a past amendment but continues to limit which parking lots may be used during events. Under the proposed amendment, staff would allow religious institutions and commercial businesses within 1,500 feet of a sports or entertainment facility (measured from property lines) to apply to provide event parking, subject to permitting and conditions. Brooks described the intent as “to maximize the use of underutilized parking lots to meet the parking demand during major events.”

Commissioners pressed staff on safeguards. Commissioner Fowler asked whether existing prohibited uses would be forced to relocate; Brooks replied they would remain legal nonconforming uses. Commissioner Rice confirmed that temporary event-parking would be subject to the same permitting standards—Brooks noted a permitting process and a 10-space minimum for lots used for event parking. Commissioners also discussed an ordinance provision intended to prevent overlapping demand: permits can require a one-hour gap between a lot’s primary use and an event so parishioners or regular customers are not displaced.

Several commissioners flagged neighborhood spillover and pricing concerns. Commissioner Shaw Williams urged that institutions be “reasonable with what they're charging,” warning that high parking fees could push eventgoers to park in nearby residential streets. Staff said the city’s permit review committee could impose conditions such as signage identifying when parking is available and other measures to reduce neighborhood impacts.

After the discussion, the commission moved to affirm a categorical exemption and adopt a resolution recommending ZCA 26-00001 to the City Council. The motion passed on a recorded unanimous vote (Commissioners Fowler, Rice, Tjo, Shaw Williams and Chairman Springs recorded “I”). The commission also agreed to continue a related Special Use Permit (SUP25-000024) to a March 17 special meeting to allow additional community outreach (see separate item).

The Planning Commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council. The City Council will consider the zoning amendment at a future public hearing; staff said any event-parking permits would continue to go through an application and review process that can include conditions to address timing, signage and neighborhood impacts.