Hello everyone,
It has been a little over a year since the advisory vote where the
citizens of
1) To engage the Coastal Conservancy to help with the next steps (now that we had community support).
2) Rezone the power plant site and surrounding properties back to the industrial and commercial zoning that was in place long before the idea of adding condos, timeshares, hotels, etc.
The old zoning was re-established within months, but engaging the Coastal Conservancy proved much more difficult. It wasn't that the CC was not interested - they've seen this site as a wonderful opportunity for a waterfront park ever since we brought it to their attention - but the Redondo City Council had never worked with them before, and knew little about the services they could provide, or successes they have had, such as the recent deal to acquire the Portuguese Bend Preserve in Rancho Palos Verdes for $17 million.
I'm happy to report that last week, this Council voted unanimously to direct the City staff to engage the Coastal Conservancy in a preliminary analysis of potential funding sources for acquiring this land and restoring it for public use. Not condos, timeshares, hotels and SOME public use, but ALL public use - a large, regional park for everyone to enjoy.
Below is a letter from our Vice-President, Don Vangeloff, that appears in this week's Easy Reader. It portrays the situation well, and thanks everyone for their perseverance.
I want to take this opportunity to thank Don and all the other Directors of the SBPC for their perseverance as well. I get all the 'at-a-boys' and 'Keep up the great work Bill.', but I am not alone. Without many dedicated, hardworking, talented local volunteers there would be no Portuguese Bend Preserve, Ballona Wetlands, Bolsa Chica, Hearst Ranch, Ahmanson Ranch, and on and on and on. They all would have been developed into condos and hotels without average citizens like Don, Mimi Marrs-Andersen, Jim Light, Jim Vaught, Flo Swiger, Dave Wiggins, Jillaine Force and everyone I've forgotten to mention for lack of space and immediate memory who work tirelessly for the quality of life of future generations. I'm very proud to be associated with such a wonderful group of people.
Our mission is far from over, but we must stop and acknowledge how far we've come. Not bad for a bunch of volunteers with little money. Thanks also to the Coastal Conservancy, The Sierra Club (South Bay Group), State Senator Debra Bowen, Assemblymember Ted Lieu, Katherine Spitz Associates (landscape architect) and Hermosa Beach Councilmember Michael Keegan. All these people shared our vision early on, and kept us energized.
Here's Don's letter:
Thank you Easyreader for Mark McDermott's article last week on the RB
City Council agreeing to engage the California Coastal Conservancy to evaluate
funding options for the '
It's been one full year since the RB Advisory vote between 2 visions for this area, where 55% of the voters rejected a park plan heavily dependent on high-intensity residential and commercial development, in favor of a vision of gaining as much open space as we can afford. McDermott's article fairly captured both the positives of this decision and the trepidation some Councilmen have in engaging the Coastal Conservancy.
I understand the responsibility the Council has and they may be nervous about the reaction of a fractionalized electorate. However, I encourage them to have courage as they start on this path. Let's face it, for local officials to even contemplate land-use options that don't include a major residential development component is a bold move.
Let's also be clear on why the City Council is even doing this - it's due to last year's Advisory vote. Councilmen Cagle and Aspel, whose districts are closest to this area, reflect the Council's concern, yet thankfully remain open-minded. Both were elected last year, despite supporting the Village plan, with its 350 residential units, 550+ room hotels & timeshares and big traffic. But both recognize that in every precinct in their districts, their Village Plan was soundly defeated by an average 58% majority supporting the Open Space option.
So I also thank the people of
Don Vangeloff
Vice-President,