Hermosa Beach staff outline zoning‑code overhaul, plan to remove condo CUP requirement and prepare housing element by July 2027

The Community Development Director briefed the Planning Commission on the city’s multi‑year zoning‑code update and engagement plan, saying administrative procedures already received first approval and that staff will next focus on commercial zones and parking rules.

Director described a summer work program to review commercial zones, standardized conditions and use regulations, with a planning commission study session expected in September. The director said staff plans a variety of outreach — focus groups, targeted outreach, open office hours and web materials — to educate the public and stakeholders prior to study sessions and hearings.

On housing, the director said removing a CUP requirement for condominiums is a commitment of the city’s housing element and staff will onboard a consultant to prepare the housing element by fiscal 2028: "So we will be onboarding a consultant to get us positioned for housing element by fiscal 28," the director said, noting staff will sequence residential work with the zoning updates.

Commissioners asked that public‑facing materials be made readily available given the upcoming election period and requested the charts and an "easy reader" be posted on the city website; the director said the intent is to be "very loud about it, moving forward." The director also clarified coastal permits will be handled separately where applicable.

Next steps: staff expects a planning commission study session in September on commercial zones and will return with public engagement materials; housing‑element consultant onboarding is planned ahead of the fiscal‑year 2028 submittal schedule.

(Reporting note: article is based on the community development director’s report in the transcript.)