HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC_Minutes_1961_05_01REPORT OF WORKSHOP MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH HELD AT THE CITY HALL ON MONDAY, MAY 1, 1961, AT 7:30 P.M. Comm. Noble presided as chairman of the committee 0£ the whole commission at a study session with citizens' committees on the subject of propoaeu facilities for restrooms on the beach. All members were present with the exception of Comm. Hales. A written proposal, copies of which had previously been submitted to Commissioners, was presented by Mr. James c. Clemence, 204 Strand, who had been asked by the Council to head a committee to investigate the possibilities for restrooms at the 2nd Street area. Mr. Clemence gave a brief resum~ of the proposal, recommending very strongly that facilities be placed out on the sand and preferably at the pier site only. Concurring with Mr. Clemence in that no private property shodd be acquired for thi. s purpose, Mr. Tom Stevens spoke of the work the beach subconunittee of the Citizens Advisory Committee had done, their deficiency report noting the congestion at 2nd Street, Pier Avenue, 22nd .Street and the north end of the Strand, recormnending facilities at these areas. They had felt it unwise to have faci~ities or parking in areas not now congested. Those opposing the 2nd Street location and suggesting that facilities be placed half way between the lifeguard station at the south end of town and the Pier -were Mrs. Patrick, 134 Strand, Mrs. Evelyn Burwell, 201 Hermosa Avenue, and Mrs. Chase, owner of two properties along the Strand. They argued that 2nd Street is within three blocks of the lifeguard station and would serve the area better if placed closer to Pier Avenue. Several people felt that a good, adequate facility at Pier· Avenue would be sufficient, since the lifeguard station is at the south end and one is proposed at the south end of Manhattan Beach. Mr. Mark Harding, 113.0 .Strand, was in accord w.i.th this, later adding that the crowds were to the north of the Pier and some facility might be provided in the northern end of the town~ He recommended "summer relief stations'' to be placed at the south and north ends of town during the peak season. Mr. Curt HarrisJ 236 Strand, asked the reasoning behind the suggestion that private property be acquired for public conveniences. City Manager explained that the report showing possible locations and presenting sketches of the type of development that might be made was not intended to be construed as a reconnnendation for the specific location or designe Mr. Blumenkamp of the Citizens Advisory 0.ommittee said there had been no intention whatever of setting down any iron~clad rule, but the canmittee had, in its deficiency report, noted that restrooms of some type could possibly be placed at the eongested areas, in and around the lifeguard posts. Actual counts of beach crowds had been made on peak days, and deficiencies were found to exist at the four areas stated abo.w. A suggestion was made by Mrs. Chase that the walk streets be opened up for parking. Representing citizens from the 22nd Street area, Mr. David Wilkinson, 2140 Strand, recommended having an adequate facility at the pier site and opposed the suggested construction of restrooms at 22nd Street and the S.trand. Because of the congestion already present at 2nd and 22nd Streets, he favored restrooms, if decided upon, be placed at other locations. A thorough
Planning Commission 2 May 1, 1961 study should be made before placing showers on the beach, he advised, due to the prevalent vandalism. Florence McCarthy, 134 Strand,mentioned the relocation of a Manhattan Beach £acility to an open area on the sand due to loitering, etc., when. on the street. If out on the sand, the facilities can be seen for a distance. The acquisition of private property suggested in the report met with much opposition, and it was Mr. Harding's opinion that if the Planning Commission felt such a suggestion improper and would so indicate to the people, much of the opposition to beach facilities would be overcome. Most of those present spoke against talcing private property for this purpose. Restrooms create problems for the police, Mr. Hugo Lizza, 2702 Strand, said, and advised that a thorough study be made. He • ·fav,ored adequate facilities at the pier. These should not be placed in al'eas already congestedo He referred to the problem now existing caused by the congregation of groups blocking the Strand. Mr. Carl Curtis, 212 Strand, stated that he had just recently purchased the property adjacent to that suggested for restrooms at the 2nd Street area and felt that such structures would.depreciate the value of residential pro.perty. Mr. John Armer, a member of the beach subcommittee of the Citizens Advisory Committee, said they had suggested on or off the Strand, that there were certain locations where it had been felt facilities might be needed. He added that he was glad to see the people get together in this study group to exchange ideas. Also favoring a good facility at the pier, alleviating many of the problems that would arise from the outlying locations, was Mrs. Fishman, 59-l9th Street, who suggested portable structures on the sand during the peak summer months. ' Police Chief Berlin had expressed no objections to restrooms out on the sand if they could be easily seen by the police, Mrs. N~ Pifer said. In his proposal, Mr. Clemence said, it had been recommended that lifeguards open and close the facilities when going o.n and off duty, and that there be definite times of the year for the opening and 'closing of these public facilities. ADJOURNMENT at 9:30 p.m. /I // ,~vVL-'~ \(~'~--nernice Robinson, Secretary