CITY OF HERMOSA BEACHPlanning Commission Special Meeting MinutesTuesday, November 18, 2025 5:00 P.m. - 6:00 P.m.Council Chambers1315 Valley DriveHermosa Beach, CA 90254Members Present:Chairperson Kate Hirsh, Commissioner Greg McNally, Commissioner Peter Hoffman, Vice Chairperson Stephen Izant, and Commissioner Michael Flaherty Staff Present:Community Development Director Alison Becker, Associate Planner Jake Whitney, Assistant Planner DeDe Tran, Assistant Planner Johnny Case, and Interim City Attorney Sarah Locklin 1.CALL TO ORDER Public Comments: Chairperson Hirsh called the meeting to order at 5:09 p.m.2.ROLL CALL Public Comments: Associate Planner Jake Whitney announced a quorum. 3.APPROVAL OF AGENDA Public Comments: Moved by:Chairperson Kate HirshSeconded by:Vice Chairperson Stephen IzantTo approve the order of the agenda.Ayes (5)Commissioner Greg McNally, Commissioner Michael Flaherty, Commissioner Peter Hoffman, Vice Chairperson Stephen Izant, and Chairperson Kate HirshMotion Carried4.PUBLIC COMMENT Public Comments: Public Comment provided by: Eric Horn (In-Person) Tony Higgins (Virtual)5.STAFF ITEMS Public Comments: 5.a6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT IMPLEMENTATION STATUS REPORT - 25-CDD-167 Attachments | Public Comments1.STAFF REPORT - Housing Element Implementation - 25-CDD-167.pdf2.Attachment 1 - 6th Cycle Housing Element 2021-2029.pdfCommunity Development Director Alison Becker provided a presentation Interim City Attorney Sarah Locklin provided a presentation Planning Commissioners asked questions and received answers from staff and Interim City Attorney Sarah Locklin. Public Comment provided by: John David (In-Person) David Grethen (In-Person) Tony Higgins (Virtual) Laura Pena (Virtual) Kristen (Last name not provided) (Virtual)Moved by:Commissioner Peter HoffmanSeconded by:Vice Chairperson Stephen IzantStaff recommends Planning Commission: Receive and file staff presentation.Ayes (5)Commissioner Greg McNally, Commissioner Michael Flaherty, Commissioner Peter Hoffman, Vice Chairperson Stephen Izant, and Chairperson Kate HirshMotion Carried5.bDISCUSSION OF LAND VALUE RECAPTURE ORDINANCE A PROGRAM OF THE 2021-2029 CERTIFIED HOUSING ELEMENT - 25-CDD-077 Attachments | Public Comments1.STAFF REPORT - Land Value Recapture - 25-CDD-077.pdf2.Attachment 1 - Housing Element 2021-2029.pdf3.Attachment 2 - Ordinance 24-1474.pdf4.Attachment 3 - Housing and Community Development Letter Dated August 1, 2024.pdf5.Attachment 5 - Land Value Recapture Analysis October 2023.pdf6.Attachment 6 - Land Value Recapture Analysis December 2023.pdf7.Attachment 7 - Public Comments.pdf8.Attachment 4 - HE Sites Inventory Excerpt.pdf9.SUPPLEMENTAL EMAIL FOR 5B.pdf10.SUPPLEMENTAL EMAIL COMMENT 5b.pdfElka WornerDear Commissioners, I attended the December 2023 city council meeting when the LVR program was discussed at length. The program is extremely complex and difficult for residents to understand. Since then, there has been little or no interest in the program. The program is ineffective because it penalizes small property and business owners and does nothing to incentivize measured growth on our downtown. The commission should seriously consider eliminating this program. Thank you for your consideration and service to the community.Upper Pier Property OwnersSee attached letter from Upper-Pier property ownersClaudia BermanI emailed my comments to the PC on LVR back in July. Adding to the agenda just as a refresher. I have not updated since July.Community Development Director Alison Becker provided a presentation Planning Commissioners asked questions and received answers from staff and Interim City Attorney Sarah Locklin Public Comment was provided by: John David (In-Person) John Burry (In-Person) David Grethen (In-Person) Laura Pena (Virtual) Nancy Schwappach (Virtual) Planning Commissioners deliberated and asked further questions of staff and Interim City Attorney Sarah Locklin Planning Commissioners recommended City Council to: Move Staff Recommendation B: exempt smaller lots with a minimum density of 1 to 2 units from any dollar amount LVR fee. Move Staff Recommendation D: Direct staff to explore zoning regulations that encourage development of residential units on “small lots” Move Staff Recommendation E: A temporary LVR fee reduction for lots with a density of 3-4 units for 24 months to $40 dollars per square foot. Moved by:Vice Chairperson Stephen IzantSeconded by:Commissioner Peter HoffmanStaff recommends the Planning Commission: Receive a staff report and solicit public input; andProvide a recommendation to City Council.Ayes (5)Commissioner Greg McNally, Commissioner Michael Flaherty, Commissioner Peter Hoffman, Vice Chairperson Stephen Izant, and Chairperson Kate HirshMotion Carried6.ADJOURNMENT Public Comments: The meeting was adjourned at 7:42 p.m.No Item Selected Attachments (0) | Public Comments (0)This item has no attachments.1.STAFF REPORT - Land Value Recapture - 25-CDD-077.pdf2.Attachment 1 - Housing Element 2021-2029.pdf3.Attachment 2 - Ordinance 24-1474.pdf4.Attachment 3 - Housing and Community Development Letter Dated August 1, 2024.pdf5.Attachment 5 - Land Value Recapture Analysis October 2023.pdf6.Attachment 6 - Land Value Recapture Analysis December 2023.pdf7.Attachment 7 - Public Comments.pdf8.Attachment 4 - HE Sites Inventory Excerpt.pdf9.SUPPLEMENTAL EMAIL FOR 5B.pdf10.SUPPLEMENTAL EMAIL COMMENT 5b.pdf1.STAFF REPORT - Housing Element Implementation - 25-CDD-167.pdf2.Attachment 1 - 6th Cycle Housing Element 2021-2029.pdfThis item has no public commentElka Worner (No Position)Dear Commissioners, I attended the December 2023 city council meeting when the LVR program was discussed at length. The program is extremely complex and difficult for residents to understand. Since then, there has been little or no interest in the program. The program is ineffective because it penalizes small property and business owners and does nothing to incentivize measured growth on our downtown. The commission should seriously consider eliminating this program. Thank you for your consideration and service to the community.Upper Pier Property Owners (No Position)See attached letter from Upper-Pier property ownersClaudia Berman (-)I emailed my comments to the PC on LVR back in July. Adding to the agenda just as a refresher. I have not updated since July.