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Council approves storm drain plan
by Robb Fulcher
Private corporations will be allowed limited advertising on street poles and overhead banners in exchange for paying as much as $60,000 a year toward further cleaning of the storm-drain system that empties into the Pacific Ocean.
Under a plan approved by the city council on Tuesday, the nonprofit Adopt-A-Storm-Drain organization will solicit money from the corporations. In exchange, the corporations will be allowed to place their logos and a brief environmental message at the drains themselves, and on roadway poles and banners in high-traffic areas, especially Pacific Coast Highway.
Each individual sign and banner will come before the council, which can approve or reject them on a case-by-case basis.
The council approved the plan by a 4-1 vote with Mayor Kathy Dunbabin dissenting. She said she liked the program, but would have liked it better without the signs, the largest of which would be four feet by three feet.
City officials have said the corporate money can be used to meet new requirements for storm-drain cleanup, which will soon be handed down by the state government. The city of Redondo Beach already has approved a deal with Adopt-A-Storm-Drain.
The Chevron Corporation has agreed to participate in the Hermosa program, said Paul Polizzotto of Adopt-A-Storm-Drain.
Moratorium extended
In other matters, the council extended for a second year a moratorium on some new restaurants and bars in the downtown area.
The moratorium forbids new restaurants or bars from moving into spaces last occupied by retail businesses, aiming to encourage more stores to locate amongst the existing restaurants and bars.
Councilman John Bowler, who has opposed the moratorium all along, cast a lone vote against the extension.
The moratorium has not affected the move-in plans of any businesses throughout its existence. In addition, it contains a provision allowing property owners to seek an exception if a property "cannot be used for any economic purpose whatsoever" except as a restaurant or bar.
A report last year by City Manager Steve Burrell listed 42 downtown establishments with permits to sell alcohol.
The council also:
- Agreed to a proposal by Councilman Sam Edgerton to meet with the Parks, Recreation and Community Resources Advisory Commission to discuss special events on the beach.
- Announced that regular meetings of the council and city commissions will take place at the Hermosa Valley School multipurpose room from Nov. 20 to May 26, while City Hall undergoes renovations. The school is located at 1645 Valley Drive, north of Pier Avenue. ER