HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Resolution 26-02 - (703 Pier Ave)PC Resolution 26-02
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING, CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT TO ALLOW THE OPERATION OF A PILATES STUDIO WITHIN AN
EXISTING 2,425-SQUARE -FOOT COMMERCIAL SPACE LOCATED AT 703
PIER AVENUE, SUITE H14, WITHIN THE SPECIFIC PLAN AREA 8 (SPA-8)
ZONE DETERMINING THAT THE PROJECT IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT
FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA).
The Planning Commission of the City of Hermosa Beach does hereby resolve, and
order as follows:
WHEREAS, on October 30, 2025, applicant Chris Suder ("applicant"), filed a
development application seeking approval Conditional Use Permit (CUP25-16), (the
"project") for the allowance of a Pilates Studio located at 703 Pier Avenue, Suite
H14, ("project site"); and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission conducted a duly noticed public
hearing to consider the subject application on January 20, 2026 at which time
testimony and evidence, both written and oral, was presented to and considered
by the Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, the proposed project is Categorically Exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act as defined in Section 15303(c), Class 3 Exemption, New
Construction or Conversion of Small Structures as the proposal consists of a
conversion of a small structure from one use to another Section 15300.2 of the
CEQA Guidelines list the exceptions to the exemption and these exceptions to the
exemptions define circumstances that override or negate the City's ability to use
a categorical exemption. Specifically, these exceptions to the exemptions are:
• The project is located in a sensitive environment such that the project may impact
an officially mapped and designated environmental resource of hazardous or
critical concern;
• The cumulative effect of successive projects of the same type in the same place,
over time, is significant;
• The project may have a significant environmental impact due to unusual
circumstances;
• The project may damage scenic resources (i.e. trees, historic buildings, or rock
outcroppings) within an official state scenic highway;
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• The project is located on a listed hazardous waste site;
None of the exceptions to the Categorical Exemptions apply, nor will the location offhe
project impact an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern. The project
will not result in a significant cumulative impact of successive projects of the same type
in the same place over time or have a significant effect on the environment due to
unusual circumstances or damage a scenic highway or scenic resources within a state
scenic highway. The site is not located on a hazardous waste site and will not cause a
substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH,
CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Based on the testimony and evidence received, the Planning
Commission hereby finds, determines, and declares the following pertaining to
the application for Conditional Use Permit 25-16, pursuant to the review criteria for
Conditional Use Permits in Section 17.56.040 of the Hermosa Beach Municipal
Code and required findings for Conditional Use Permits in Section 17.56.050 of the
Hermosa Beach Municipal Code (HBMC):
1. The proposed use is allowed within the applicable zone and complies with
all other applicable provisions of this Title and all other titles of the Hermosa
Beach Municipal Code;
The proposed use is allowed within the applicable SPA-8 zoning district as
an "assembly hall" use and complies with all other applicable provisions of
this title and all other titles of the Hermosa Beach Municipal Code. The
proposed Pilates Studio would be operated within an enclosed building
and would operate within the parameters of the noise ordinance. Per
HBMC Section 17.44.015 (B) no parking spaces are required for the
proposed change of use, as the proposed use is not a new late night
alcohol serving establishment.
2. The proposed use is consistent with the General Plan and any applicable
specific plan;
The project site is located within the Pacific Coast Highway Corridor and has
a land use designation of Gateway Commercial (GC) which serves as a
primary entry point into Hermosa Beach and according to PLAN Hermosa
General Plan, aims to provide a variety of uses. The proposed allowance for
a Pilates Studio would provide an additional amenity and serve local
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residents and visitors. The project site has a Gateway Commercial (GC) land
use designation which according to PLAN Hermosa General Plan is
envisioned to offer a greater variety of retail and economic activity to the
community while providing services and amenities to visitors and residents.
Additionally, the project has been reviewed for consistency with the General
policies and goals. A summary of the most relevant goals and policies is
detailed in the table below.
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Goals & Policies
Findings
Goal 1: Create a sustainable urban
The proposed project will increase
form and land use patterns that support
access to services in the community
a robust economy and high quality of
and contribute to a new option for
life for residents.
residents and visitors for daily activity.
Policy 1.3 Access to daily activities.
Strive to create sustainable
The proposed use is located within a
development patterns such that the
shopping plaza which houses a variety
majority of residents are within walking
of grocery, dining and personal service
distance to a variety of neighborhood
type uses. The proposed project would
goods and services
be compatible with the surrounding
Policy 1.7 Compatibility of Uses. Ensure
uses and not contribute to
the placement of new uses does not
disturbances in the surrounding area.
create or exacerbate nuisances
between different types of land uses.
oal 4. A variety of corridors
The proposed use will provide further
throughout the city provide
diversity to the shopping center in
opportunities for shopping, recreation,
which it is located within.
commerce, employment and
circulation.
4.3 Diverse range of uses. Allow a wide
variety of uses to locate in Gateway
Commercial nodes along corridors,
including destination retail centers,
lifestyle centers, hotels, and office
employment, among other uses
3. The proposed use will not be averse to the public health, safety, or general
welfare of the community, nor detrimental to surrounding properties or
improvements;
The proposed use would not be averse to the public health, safety, or
general welfare of the community, nor detrimental to surrounding properties
or improvements. Personal service and wellness services such as what is
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being proposed with this application are common in the City and they blend
harmoniously with other existing uses. No components of the applicant's
proposed plans deviate from what is typical of these common uses and pose
risks to public health, safety, or welfare.
4. The design, location, size and operating characteristics of the proposed
activity are compatible with the existing and reasonably foreseeable future
land uses and circulation in the vicinity; and
The design of the structure is remaining the same and therefore there are no
significant design issues which would warrant objection. The size of the tenant
space would remain unchanged and therefore warrants no objection. There
are also no operating characteristics of note that would conflict with any
existing land uses or circulation of those in the reasonably foreseeable future.
5. The site is physically suitable for the type of the use being proposed, including
access, utilities, and the absence of physical constraints.
The site is physically suitable for the proposed use as it will be equipped with
Pilates equipment in order to host group classes as well as individual training.
There are no constraints on the site that would render the site unsuitable for
the proposed use.
Section 2. Based on the foregoing, the Planning Commission hereby
approves the subject Conditional Use Permit for the allowance of the operation
of a 2,425-square-foot Pilates Studio located at 703 Pier Avenue, Suite H 14 as set
forth in Planning Commission Resolution 26-02, subject to the following Conditions
of Approval:
1. The development and continued use of the property shall be in conformance
with submitted plans received and reviewed by the Planning Commission at its
meeting of January 20, 2026 in accordance with the conditions below. The
Community Development Director may approve minor modifications that do
not otherwise conflict with the HBMC or requirements of this approval.
2. The project shall fully comply with all requirements of the SPA-8 Zone as
applicable of the Hermosa Beach Municipal Code (HBMC).
3. The project shall comply with all requirements of the Building Division, Public
Works Department, Fire Department, and HBMC.
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4. This approval shall not be effective for any purposes until the permittee and
the owners of the property involved have filed at the office of the Planning
Division of the Community Development Department with their affidavits
stating that they are aware of, and agree to accept, all of the conditions of
this grant. The Conditional Use Permit and Precise Development Plan shall be
recorded, and proof of recordation shall be submitted to the Community
Development Department prior to the issuance of a building permit.
5. Approval of this permit shall expire twenty-four (24) months from the date of
approval by the Planning Commission unless significant construction or
improvements or the use authorized hereby has commenced. One or more
extensions of time may be requested. No extension shall be considered unless
requested, in writing to the Community Development Director including the
reason therefore, at least 60 days prior to the expiration date. No additional
notice of expiration shall be provided.
6. The Planning Commission may review this Conditional Use Permit and may
amend the subject conditions or impose any new conditions if deemed
necessary to mitigate detrimental effects on the surrounding neighborhood.
7. The subject property shall be developed, maintained, and operated in full
compliance with the conditions of this permit and any law, statute,
ordinance, or other regulation applicable to any development or activity on
the subject property. Failure of the permittee to cease any development or
activity not in full compliance shall be a violation of these conditions.
8. To the extent permitted by law, Permittee shall defend, indemnify and hold
harmless the City of Hermosa Beach, its City Council, its officers, employees
and agents (the "indemnified parties") from and against any claim, action,
or proceeding brought by a third party against the indemnified parties and
the applicant to attack, set aside, or void any permit or approval for this
project authorized by the City, including (without limitation) reimbursing the
City its actual attorney's fees and costs in defense of the litigation. The City
may, in its sole discretion, elect to defend any such action with attorneys of
its choice. The permittee shall reimburse the City for any court and attorney's
fees which the City may be required to pay as a result of any claim or action
brought against the City because of this permit. Although the permittee is the
real party in interest in an action, the City may, at its sole discretion,
participate at its own expense in the defense of the action, but such
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participation shall not relieve the permittee of any obligation under this
condition.
9. The establishment shall not adversely affect the welfare of the residents, and/or
commercial establishments nearby.
10. Noise emanating from the property shall be within the limitations prescribed by
the City's Noise Ordinance (Hermosa Beach Municipal Code Chapter 8.24) and
shall not create a nuisance to surrounding residential neighborhoods, and/or
commercial establishments.
11. Any changes to the interior layout that would alter the primary function of the
business shall be subject to review and approval by the Planning Commission. The
operation of the business shall comply with all applicable requirements of the
Municipal Code.
12. All signage and window treatments shall be reviewed and processed under a
separate permit and nothing in this approval shall be considered as
circumventing that requirement.
13. Windows into the storage rooms that are visible from the exterior of the tenant
space shall be treated with an opaque frosted finish or other treatment subject
to the approval of the Community Development Director or designee. At the time
of plan check the applicant shall provide the finish details (which may include the
manufacturer's specification and cut sheet) keyed to corresponding floor plan.
14. Each of the above conditions is separately enforced, and if one of the
conditions of approval is found to be invalid by a court of law, all the other
conditions shall remain valid and enforceable.
15. All Conditions of approval shall be printed verbatim on all plans submitted for
plan review to the Community Development Department. These conditions
shall be indexed on the cover sheet and referenced on the site plan.
Section 3. Each of the above conditions is separately enforced, and if one
of the conditions of approval is found to be invalid by a court of law, all the other
conditions shall remain valid and enforceable.
Section 4. Pursuant to the Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.6, any legal
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challenge to the decision of the Planning Commission, after a formal appeal to
the City Council, must be made within 90 days after the final decision by the City
Council.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED on the 20th of January, 2026
VOTE: AYES: 5 - Chairperson Stephen Izant, Vice Chairperson Michael
Flaherty, Commissioner Peter Hoffman, Commissioner Greg
McNally, Commissioner Kate Hirsh
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution P.C. 26-02 is a true and complete record
of the action taken by the Planning Commission of the City of Hermosa Beach,
California, at its regular Meeting of January 20, 2026.
Stephen Izant, Chairperson Alison Becker, Secretary
Date
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