IMPORTANT ALERT !!     The Redondo Beach City Council does not want you to vote on a plan to rezone King Harbor and the Pier to allow 40% more development !

Building a Better Redondo has filed a lawsuit against Redondo Beach City Council to force the City of Redondo Beach to put the new Harbor Zoning ordinance up for a vote.  This new zoning will allow 3-story time shares and will add 400,000 square feet of new development on top of the 920,000 square feet of development that already exists in King Harbor, which will create traffic and gridlock in King Harbor per the City's own traffic study.  The City Council does not want you to vote on this massive change because they know voters would never allow it.  The South Bay Parkland Conservancy believes that a vote is required according to the city's own charter.

Thank you for your donations to date for this litigation.  We are helping to raise money, and now need more financial help to litigate this taking of our views and continued overdevelopment of our waterfront.  We all want to upgrade our Harbor, but do we want a mall and timeshares?  Donate to the legal defense fund if you want to help.  No amount is too small.  We need to raise another $40,000 by the end of Summer 2010 to see this through the appeals process.

Mail your tax-deductible donation, however big or small, payable to:
      South Bay Parkland Conservancy
      1719 Via El Prado #408
      Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Your donation automatically makes you a member of the SBPC.  Write 'DD Defense Fund' in the memo section of your check.

Don’t let a few Council members change the character of this area forever.  We can’t stop it without litigation and we can’t do it without your financial help now.  If you want to help with phone banking or other activities to help us raise money, contact our President, Jim Light, at 310-540-8934 or jim.light1@verizon.net.  To learn more, please visit http://www.buildingabetterredondo.org.

Come visit the South Bay Parkland Conservancy booth at the Riviera Village Festival in Redondo Beach, June 26th and 27th - 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Residents once again speak their preference for use of the AES site...

The Beach Reporter recently asked readers to comment about what they would like to see on the AES power plant site, and received an overwhelming amount of support for a park!  To view twenty-three Letters to the Editor that were included in the paper following their request for public response, click here.

"This painting [below] depicts what the Redondo Salt Lake could have looked like before the Spanish began settling on the Pacific Coast (1769).  The Salt Lake was located where the AES Power Plant now sits.  As an artist, I took on that project because I believe in and wanted to support the goals of the South Bay Parkland Conservancy.  I spent approximately 6 months researching.  I did not discover any photographs or pictures of the site prior to industrialization.  During the research period, with a camera in hand, I visited the Malibu Lagoon, Dockweiler State Beach, Palos Verdes Botanical Gardens, Madrona Marsh, Bolsa Chica Wet Lands, Redondo Beach and its pier.  From written documents and my field trips, I formulated ideas and sketches about the salt lake area."

Earth Day (April 22) 2009  -  Former SBPC President Named “Environmental Hero”
Former SBPC President, Bill Brand, took a break from staffing SBPC’s booth at the Earth Day celebration at Pollywog Park to receive some well deserved recognition. Volunteers and Organizations Improving the Community’s Environment (VOICE) presented Bill with their “Environmental Hero” Award.  The picture below shows Bill receiving the award from VOICE President, Kay Sherback (left).  Bill is flanked by former Manhattan Beach Mayor, Jim Aldinger, and current Mayor of Manhattan Beach, Portia Cohen.  Good on you, Bill!  Well earned.

Bill Brand with Kay Sherback, Jim Aldinger, and Portia Cohen

Look for the SBPC Booth at the Sea Lab Earth Day Event on April 25th and see our new banner with Thelma Muzik’s painting of the old Redondo salt marsh. Sign up to be a member, get up to speed on our current activities, donate to the cause or better yet volunteer to help us grow parkland in the South Bay!

Momentum Builds for a Park Along Herondo Blvd.
In October 2008, Redondo Mayor, Mike Gin, sent a letter to the SBPC asking us to explore funding of a five acre park alongside Herondo west of the Catalina/PCH intersection. This area is a Southern California Edison power line right of way.  Progress stalled when SCE asked for positive evidence of City Council support.  The night of Bill Brand’s first City Council meeting, the Council approved a letter to SCE stating their support for SBPC actions to turn this area into a park.  As soon as the letter is sent, SBPC will continue our efforts to make this park a reality as our top priority for 2009.  SBPC believes that this park will begin the momentum that will snowball into a park that spans the AES power plant site and the SCE’s right of way. It is a small but important first step to making Redondo Beach Waterfront Park (formerly referred to as 'Heart Park') a reality!

You can help define the Herondo Street park vision by joining our Herondo Park task force.  Please contact us at info@southbayparks.org or 310-809-4405 if you are interested in helping to determine the park’s features or finding funding/support to make the park a reality.

Don’t Pave Seaside Lagoon for a Parking Lot !
The SBPC Board of Director’s swung into action when staff presented Seaside Lagoon concepts that all included reducing the usable open space by paving a portion of the open space over for a parking lot.  SBPC Board Members spoke out at City Council, Harbor Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission meetings requesting that all usable open space be preserved in the selected design concept.  The Harbor Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission each made recommendations that the council delete the parking lot that encroached on current open space.  The Council concurred and directed City staff to delete the parking lot encroachment from the selected concept drawing and associated text.  Thanks to the Redondo Beach Boat Owners Association and other residents that showed their support for preserving the Seaside Lagoon open space!

SBPC Position on Redondo’s Green Task Force Sustainable City Document.
The Green Task Force recommendations on sustainable development include one specific recommendation that relates to parkland.  This recommendation states that development of a Regional Park would generate more traffic and cost the city more in maintenance than multiple pocket parks.  The recommendation states that development of a regional park would be contrary to the goals of the specific recommendation.  SBPC believes that Redondo Beach should increase the amount of parks and open space of all sizes.  SBPC also maintains that the statements on traffic and maintenance are unsubstantiated.  City Parks and Recreation Director, Mike Witsanski has stated that pocket parks cost more to maintain than the same acreage of larger parks.  He also stated that pocket parks cannot meet all the recreational needs of the community.  Traffic engineer trip generation tables contradict the Green Task Force statements that a regional park would create more traffic.  According to these tables, a Regional Park generates less than 11 average daily car trips per acre.  This is one of the lowest trip generation values in the Trip Generation Tables.  For example a 50 acre regional park would generate under 550 trips per day.  If that same 50 acres were zoned R-3 (condos at 17 units per acre), the condos would generate just under 5000 car trips per day.  Retail and restaurant uses would generate far more.  While SBPC applauds the efforts of the Green Task Force, we take exception to this specific finding.  SBPC supports the additional of all sizes of parkland in Redondo.

March 2009  -  Bill Brand Wins City Council Race.
Congratulations to Former SBPC President, Bill Brand, for winning his City Council bid. Bill had three strong competitors, but still won over 50% of the vote in District 2.  This is almost unheard of for a non-incumbent candidate.  Bill’s main campaign platform included cleaning up blighted property (like the abandoned carwash on Torrance Blvd); revitalizing the harbor including reasonable development, and of course, creating a park on the AES powerplant site and the Edison power line right of way.  Bill’s election is a clear indication that the people of District 2 support parkland expansion.

Bill Brand is Sworn-In as District 2 City Councilman on April 8th, 2009


Bill Brand Supporters Have a Special Celebration After his Victory at the Polls

March 2009  -  SBPC concludes participation in Redondo’s Growth and Traffic Management Committee.
The last meeting for the Redondo Beach Growth and Traffic Management Committee concluded with the approval of a draft Circulation and Housing Element, both parts of the General Plan.  Former SBPC President, Bill Brand participated in the committee on behalf of SBPC.  Current SBPC President, Jim Light, also served on the Committee representing Building A Better Redondo, as did Board Member Dave Wiggins, representing Sierra Club.  The draft circulation element and housing elements call for establishing acceptable traffic standards and accommodating the state Regional Housing Need Allotment of over 2000 new residential units within existing zoning.  The documents must be approved by City Council and the Housing Element must eventually be accepted by the state.  SBPC’s major concern with the documents is the request to explore Transit Oriented Development (TOD).  City Staff’s vision for TOD includes high density residential development over 50 units per acre.  SBPC supports exploring retail and office TOD without the residential component.  These densities of residential development would only exacerbate the shortage of parkland in the South Bay.

December 20, 2008  -  Jim Light New President of SBPC.
Jim Light was a founding Director of the SBPC and has been very active in the community for many years.  He is now back with the SBPC, and just last week was elected to replace Bill Brand as President.  Bill Brand has resigned his post to run for City Council in Redondo Beach this coming March.  We welcome Jim in his new role and look forward to his leadership in the SPBC.

Jim Light and Bill Brand (past SBPC President) were visiting the AES Plant on December 11th as part of a tour given by AES for SBPC, the State Coastal Conservancy, and the consultants they have hired to conduct feasibility studies on the potential for purchasing and restoring some or all of this property for public use.  It was a beautiful day and we had quite a view from the platforms high over King Harbor...  click here to read more...

Below is a photo of Jim Light and Bill Brand at the AES site on December 11th, 2008

November 30, 2008  -  Both Measures DD and EE Pass - with DD Receiving a Larger Majority - 58.5%.
So what does this mean for our park vision?  If this City Council, or any future City Council, rezones this property for anything other than industrial uses or a park, it will have to be approved by the public.  FINALLY, the residents have a binding safety valve, not just an advisory vote, against any redevelopment plan that does not have community support...
...Higher property values, more sales tax revenue and higher lease rates increases City revenues.  Study after study has been published on the financial and health benefits to areas with ample park space... "  click here to read more...

October 19, 2008  -  Election Issue DD Will Help Promote the Park.
On October 16th, The Daily Breeze published an Editorial by SBPC President Bill Brand describing how Measure DD will help support the public vote-preferred Park, while Measure EE will not...  "The goal to purchase the AES power plant in Redondo Beach and restore it to a public park is alive and well. The vision that was approved in the 2005 advisory vote is slowly moving forward despite our economic woes, and despite the continued opposition from those that would still like to see a development plan here..."  click here to read more...

October 6, 2008  -  GREAT NEWS !!!
While the country and the State of California reel from financial woes, they are both still operating and important needs like more park space are still being addressed.  AB31, which the South Bay Parkland Conservancy has been advocating for 2 years now, was approved by the legislature and signed by Governor Schwarzenegger Thursday, October 2nd...  click here to read more...

Recently... Redondo Beach and AES Settle Outstanding Tax Dispute, SBPC's Efforts Toward Converting AES Site to a Park Gets Support From The Sierra Club's South Bay Open Space Task Force, and Riviera Village Fair Participation Shows Much Interest From The Public In Creating More Local Parklands.  Check our Updates and Newsletters pages for more information.

June, 2008, The Sierra Club "South Bay Open Bay Task Force" Announces Its Support of SBPC's Efforts to Convert the AES Power Plant Site to a Park.  To See the Flyer Describing the Alliance, and For More Information, click here.

On Thursday, April 24th, 2008, 6:30pm at the Veterans Park Historical Library, SBPC's Bill Brand and the State Coastal Conservancy discussed progress and next steps on establishing the AES Power Plant Site as open space.  Please click here to see the flyer for more information on what was discussed.

On Monday, December 17th, 2007, SBPC's Bill Brand appeared on CNN's Local Edition on Time Warner Cable, hosted by Ben McCain.   They discussed the origin of the South Bay Parkland Conservancy, recent parkland studies, the process, vision, and feasibility of establishing a park at the AES site.

To see this 5 minute interview, click on the image at left.  Thank you to Time Warner.

Thursday, October 11th, at 7 p.m., saw a community event at the Veterans Park Historical Library just south of the Redondo Pier.  Featured was the California Coastal Conservancy, Mike Witzansky of the Parks and Rec. in Redondo Beach, and the beloved Martin Byhower of the local Audubon chapter and Harbor Park fame.  They just got $117 million in restoration funds from Proposition O for their park.  $117 MILLION!!  That's not a typo.   We heard how they did it !!

ALSO...
Read Bill Brand's recent editorial in the June 8th, 2007 issue of The Daily Breeze.  It is in the June (8th) Heart Park Update.  You may either go to our 'Updates' page, or click here to view. 

Thursday, October 11th, at 7 p.m., saw a community event at the Veterans Park Historical Library just south of the Redondo Pier.  Featured was the California Coastal Conservancy, Mike Witzansky of the Parks and Rec. in Redondo Beach, and the beloved Martin Byhower of the local Audubon chapter and Harbor Park fame.  They just got $117 million in restoration funds from Proposition O for their park.  $117 MILLION!!  That's not a typo.   We heard how they did it !!

ALSO...
Read Bill Brand's recent editorial in the June 8th, 2007 issue of The Daily Breeze.  It is in the June (8th) Heart Park Update.  You may either go to our 'Updates' page, or click here to view. 

With your help...
• Proposition 84 passed (Clean Water, Parks and Coastal Protection Act) this last Novembe

Check out the following Photos.  These are: a concept for the "Passive" design for the park, a concept for the "Active" design for the park, and an Aerial view of the old Salt Lake.  Click on each to see larger image...

         

To see more photos - of such as early Redondo Beach and the Old Salt Lake, check out our February Update on our Updates Page.

The SPBC and its members help to promote local parklands by:

• Participating in local community events, sharing information about the need for parklands.
• Sponsoring events where experts on related subjects come and speak, and take Q&A.
• Keeping involved and in contact with local issues and city officials.
• Participating in local community events, sharing information about the need for and how to acquire parklands.
• Working with state and local agencies in support of improving local parklands ratios.
• Preparing and distributing information to help inform the public on such issues.

We encourage people to get involved in their communities in support of issues important to them.