Letters to the Editor 3/24/16
Bern Manhattan
Dear ER:
William Hayes wrote, “I would love to see what those folks would do if truly subjected to presidential candidate Bernie Sanders plans for American economics (“Let’s really feel the Bern,” ER Letters March 17, 2016). I drive an old Toyota and it’s plastered with Bernie signs, as
are several of my friends’ cars. And we live in Manhattan Beach. We’d love to be subjected to Bernie’s plans for American. Economics. Fair is fair. And it’s been a long time coming.
Gail Runk
Manhattan Beach
The downside of downzoning
Dear ER:
Redondo Beach should focus on immediate projects, but also needs put funds aside to update the General Plan, concentrating on those areas which need updating most (“Plan it, Redondo,” ER Letters March 17, 2016). The General Plan is an extensive document, which covers all aspects of the future plans of the city, not just zoning. To rewrite this plan would take many man-hours (years) and hundreds of thousands of dollars to complete ($500k-$1.5m). The city does not currently have those funds, nor do the citizens seem prepared to wait for this.
By focusing on the immediate projects, the city can move quickly to address citizens concerns. Due to the citizen led initiative Measure DD, all zoning changes, up or down, need to be approved by a vote of the public. If downzoning did not require a public vote, the city would be able to move more quickly in addressing citizens concerns.
The major concerns the Planning Commission hears are related to traffic, noise, density, parking, and various other factors. We evaluate each project and consider the current zoning, environmental studies, public input (traffic, noise, etc.) and work with the developer to minimize these impacts..
If a project is denied, the applicant can appeal to the council to the courts. If we deny a project just because we don’t like it, yet the development meets the current zoning of Redondo Beach, then the court can find the applicant to be within their rights to develop their project and also be awarded attorney fees to be paid by the City (taxpayers), costing us more in the long-run.
Let’s see what we can do to empower the city council to down-zone projects.
Doug Rodriguez
Redondo Beach planning commissioner
Redondo Beach
Kudos to Cuda, Broza
Dear ER:
Thanks to Heidi Cuda for memorializing the Pennywise show at the Palladium (Straight outta South Bay,” ER March 17, 2016). Her words not only captured the energy and spirit of the South Bay, her observations preserved this occasion better than any random social media post or the 30 second radio snippets. Thanks also to photographer Brent Broza for capturing the riveting imagery that will forever decorate our memories. Sooner than later someone will be laying down the groundwork for a coffee table book combining the fantastic stories that revolved around the three day event. Kudos to the “behind the scenes” crew that coordinated the logistics for even making this show happen. The efforts of the PW Family to persuade all the bands together and for Josh and company to incite 98 Mute to actually utter those words “slow motion riot” once again…that was an undertaking. The new friends I met from Australia (Matt and crew) and Barcelona (Oscar the grouch) validate the fact that the South Bay has a far reach. The “Beaver” Motorhome was South Bay Central for a few hours each day.
Kevin Samera
Facebook comment
Cookin’ with care
Dear ER:
The article celebrating Chef Bernard Ibarra was beautifully written (“A night in Tunisia,” ER February 25, 2016). It was an honor working with him and I miss him immensely. He is the most passionate and simultaneous compassionate chef you will ever meet, and is inspirational beyond compare. It brings me joy to read that he is in his element and has pioneered a sea salt conservation program How absolutely cool.
Bonnie Hilts
Las Vegas