CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

5:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

Council Chambers

1315 Valley Drive

Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

Members Present:

• Chairperson Stephen Izant, 
• Vice Chairperson Michael Flaherty, 
• Commissioner Peter Hoffman, 
• Commissioner Greg McNally, 
• and Commissioner Kate Hirsh 

Staff Present:

• Planning Manager Alexis Oropeza, 
• Commission Secretary Holly Honma, 
• Community Development Director Alison Becker, 
• and Assistant Planner DeDe Tran 

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

Chairperson Izant called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

2.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairperson Izant.

3.

ROLL CALL

Commission Secretary Holly Honma announced a quorum. 

4.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

This is the time for Planning Commission to discuss any changes to the order of agenda items. 

• Moved by: Commissioner Hoffman
  Seconded by: Vice Chairperson Flaherty

  To approve the order of the agenda.

  Ayes (5)

  Chairperson Izant, Commissioner Hoffman, Commissioner Hirsh, Vice Chairperson Flaherty, and Commissioner McNally

  Motion Carried

5.

PUBLIC COMMENT

In Person Public Comment:

• Liz Brubaker
• Robert Brubaker
• Jennifer Duffy
• Mike Nickle

Virtual Public Comment:

• Laura Pena

6.

CONSENT CALENDAR

• Moved by: Commissioner Hoffman
  Seconded by: Vice Chairperson Flaherty

  To approve the consent calendar.

  Ayes (5)

  Commissioner Hirsh, Commissioner Hoffman, Commissioner McNally, Vice Chairperson Flaherty, and Chairperson Izant

  Motion Carried

6.a

ACTION MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 17, 2026 - 26-CDD-038

(Commission Secretary Holly Honma)

• Moved by: Commissioner Hoffman
  Seconded by: Vice Chairperson Flaherty

  To receive and file the action minutes of the Planning Commission regular meeting of February 17, 2026.

  Ayes (5)

  Chairperson Izant, Commissioner Hoffman, Commissioner Hirsh, Vice Chairperson Flaherty, and Commissioner McNally

  Motion Carried

7.

PUBLIC HEARING

7.a

LOCATION: 725 5TH STREET - 26-CDD-027

Ira Ellman

I am against projects that can affect residents' quality of life or property value. Although many of the federal and other statutes seem to favor installation, #6 does not hold up. Based on the map in the staff report, this site is next door to a residence and adjacent to others. Note #6 below: 6. Preference shall be given to sites which are not located along primary street frontage, front yard areas or adjacent to residential uses.

Georgia Tesla

My husband, Enrique Vassallo, and I live on the same block as the proposed cell towers at 725 5th Street. We strongly oppose the proposed location of the towers on our block. Proposed health risks caused by living near these antennas include emission of electromagnetic radiation, increased cancer risk, headaches, sleep issues, genetic damage, changes to reproductive system, memory deficits and impacts on the nervous system. There are also increased fire risks. Better alternative locations exist such as in some non residential area where there is a greater concentration of businesses rather than residences. Maybe somewhere on Pier Avenue. There will be obstruction of views and eye sore resulting in reduced property value. Please find an alternative, less residential location for the towers. Georgia Tesla and Enrique Vassallo 649 5th Street

tonyhiggins

i just dont understand why these antennas cant be placed on a tall pole or several tall poles on the sidewalk adjacent to PCH or on a tall pole in the center of one of several nearby commercial parking lots even if it costs more. Did verizon fully explore options to reduce the potential health risks to nearby residents or the significant property losses associated with having an antenna so close to a residential property line or a childs bedroom? i doubt it. The city should fully investigate whether other options were considered and if not why. Energy decreases at the square of the distance so there appear to be options to substantially reduce resident risk & impact. but alternatives were largely ignored without explanation a when the city allowed verizon to put in the cell tower building on top of the cleaners at 27th & Manhattan Ave 4 years ago; so i wouldn't get my hopes up. It was a rubberstamp hearing. The city will make at least 40k annually in fees paid from verizon on this site. see url https://share.google/aimode/0Kab8I2IFcVi3f44I still wishing you luck😊

ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP25-04) TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE AN UNMANNED WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITY (VERIZON WIRELESS) ON THE ROOF OF AN EXISTING BUILDING AT 725 5TH STREET
CEQA: Determine that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Class 3 categorical exemption, as defined in section 15303 of the CEQA Guidelines for new construction or conversion
(Assistant Planner DeDe Tran)

Assistant Planner DeDe Tran provided a presentation

Vice Chairperson Flaherty asked various questions

Assistant Planner DeDe Tran provided information

Applicant Tom Johnson provided information

Commissioner Hirsh asked various questions

Applicant Tom Johnson provided information

Vice Chairperson Flaherty asked various questions

Applicant Tom Johnson provided information

Commissioner Hoffman asked various questions

Commissioner McNally asked various questions

Chairperson Izant asked various questions

In Person Public Comment:

• Trina Hilley

Virtual Public Comment:

• Dave Horowitz
• Laura Pena

Chairperson Izant closed Public Comment

Commissioner Hoffman provided information

• Moved by: Commissioner Hoffman
  Seconded by: Vice Chairperson Flaherty

  To continue this item to the Planning Commission's Regular Meeting on May 19, 2026 and for staff and applicant explore alternative locations for the wireless telecommunication facility on the east and northeast portion of the building.

  Ayes (5)

  Chairperson Izant, Commissioner Hoffman, Commissioner Hirsh, Vice Chairperson Flaherty, and Commissioner McNally

  Motion Carried

7.b

LOCATION: 1244 2ND STREET - 26-CDD-030

ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT AND VARIANCE AT 1244 2ND STREET (APN 4186-027-031) AND APN 4186-027-030 (NO ADDRESS) IN THE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE (R-1)
CEQA: Determine the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15305.
(Assistant Planner DeDe Tran)

Assistant Planner DeDe Tran provided a presentation

Applicant Amir Esfahani provided information

Vice Chairperson Flaherty provided information

Commissioner Hoffman provided information

• Moved by: Vice Chairperson Flaherty
  Seconded by: Commissioner Hirsh

  To determine the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15305; and Adopt a Resolution approving Lot Line Adjustment (LLA 25-02) and Variance (VAR25-03) at 1244 2nd Street and Assessor’s Parcel Number 4186-027-030.

  Ayes (4)	Vice Chairperson Flaherty, Commissioner McNally, Commissioner Hirsh, and Chairperson Izant
  Noes (1)	Commissioner Hoffman

  Motion Carried

7.c

LOCATION: 1100 PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY - 26-CDD-008

A SIGN VARIANCE (VAR25-02), TO ALLOW NO MORE THAN THREE WALL SIGNS PER BUSINESS, NOT TO EXCEED 35 WALL SIGNS FOR THE SUBJECT SITE, AND TO ALLOW AN ADDITIONAL 10 PERCENT INCREASE IN MAXIMUM SIGN AREA AS A PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE SIGN PLAN FOR AN EXISTING SHOPPING CENTER IN THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL (C-3) ZONE
CEQA: Determine the project qualifies for Class 11 Exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15311
(Associate Planner Jake Whitney)

Planning Manager Alexis Oropeza provided a presentation

Commissioner Hirsh asked various questions

Vice Chairperson Flaherty asked various questions

Applicant Christine Adler provided information

Commissioner Hoffman asked various questions

• Moved by: Vice Chairperson Flaherty
  Seconded by: Commissioner Hirsh

  To determine the Project qualifies for Class 11 Exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15311; and Adopt a Resolution approving a Sign Variance (VAR25-02) at 1100 Pacific Coast Highway subject to conditions.

  Ayes (5)

  Chairperson Izant, Vice Chairperson Flaherty, Commissioner Hoffman, Commissioner McNally, and Commissioner Hirsh

  Motion Carried

7.d

LOCATION: 333 26TH STREET - 26-CDD-034

Brandon Straus

This is Appellant's Slide Presentation for the Appeal Hearing

Brandon Straus

This is the Appellant's Submittal for Planning Commission Review

ADOPT A RESOLUTION UPHOLDING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR’S DETERMINATION DENYING A REQUEST FOR A CONVEX SLOPE DETERMINATION (CSD25-04) AT 333 26TH STREET
CEQA: Determine this is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to section 21065 of the CEQA Guidelines
(Assistant Planner DeDe Tran)

Assistant Planner DeDe Tran provided a presentation

Commissioner Hirsh asked various questions

Assistant Planner DeDe Tran provided information

Commissioner Hoffman asked various questions

Chairperson Izant asked various questions

Vice Chairperson Flaherty asked various questions

Assistant Planner DeDe Tran provided information

Commissioner Hoffman asked various questions

Brandon Straus from Srour & Associates provided a presentation

Attorney for Applicant provided information

Vice Chairperson Flaherty asked various questions

Brandon Straus provided information

Commissioner Hirsh asked various questions

Applicant David Toomey provided information

Chairperson Izant closed the Public Hearing

Vice Chairperson Flaherty asked various questions 

Assistant Planner DeDe Tran provided information

Commissioner Hoffman asked various questions

Commissioner Hirsh provided information

Chairperson Izant provided information

Vice Chairperson Flaherty asked various questions

• Moved by: Commissioner Hirsh
  Seconded by: Commissioner Hoffman

  To grant the appeal of the Director's Determination and approve the Convex Slope Determination.

  Ayes (5)

  Chairperson Izant, Commissioner Hoffman, Commissioner Hirsh, Vice Chairperson Flaherty, and Commissioner McNally

  Motion Carried

8.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR REPORT

Community Development Director Alison Becker provided information

9.

PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS

Commissioner Hoffman thanked staff

Community Development Director Alison Becker provided information

10.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Questions from Planning Commission members regarding the status of future agenda items. No discussion or debate of these requests shall be undertaken.

10.a

PLANNING COMMISSION TENTATIVE FUTURE AGENDA - 26-CDD-039

(Commission Secretary Holly Honma)

• Moved by: Commissioner Hirsh
  Seconded by: Commissioner Hoffman

  To receive and file the April Planning Commission tentative future agenda.

  Ayes (5)

  Chairperson Izant, Commissioner Hoffman, Commissioner Hirsh, Vice Chairperson Flaherty, and Commissioner McNally

  Motion Carried

11.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm