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1927 Voorhees saga continues
Planning commission calls for review of property
by Carly Mayberry
Planning commissioners have been touring a residential project under construction at 1927 Voorhees Ave. in North Redondo, after nearby residents expressed concerns about possible unexpected density in their neighborhood.
The issue involves the fact that the property, divided into two units, has eight bedrooms in its front section and seven in its back portion. Neighboring residents believe the project was approved in error and poses serious traffic, safety and quality of life issues.
Residents expressed their concerns at a planning commission meeting last Thursday that lasted until 1:30 a.m.
Out of the 40 neighboring residents who showed when the meeting began at 7 p.m., 15 remained until the early morning hour.
"I guess the most that was accomplished was that the planning commission made an appeal to the owner to actually walk through the property," Lynn Griffith said, a resident who lives on Voorhees.
Besides residents from Voorhees Avenue, those who addressed the issue were Redondo Beach Building and Safety Inspector Rick Segal, and Bill Meeker of the Planning Department. In addition, Dan Whisenant, owner of the property, spoke in front of the council for the first time.
"We still have concerns with the project," Segal said. "But the project was approved by the planning department and now is in ‘plan check’ which means we’re checking the building for fire and code compliance."
According to Meeker, the meeting paved the way for the next planning commission meeting on Sept. 20.
"We requested the property owner’s consent to allow the commissioners to tour the property," Meeker explained.
Meeker said four of the commissioners toured the property last Saturday.
"The remaining commissioners will attempt to see the property before the next planning commission meeting," Meeker stated.
Meeker said that the commission intends to review the original plans that were approved against what has been built to this point.
"Then we will be preparing that report for the next meeting," Meeker said. ER