Meeting Time: November 19, 2019 at 7:00pm PST
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Agenda Item

14. REPORT 19-0781 Potential Municipal Code amendments to Chapter 17.04 Definitions, and Chapter 17.28 M-1 Light Manufacturing Zone, and add 17.42.200 for a new Limited Events Permit to allow Cypress District businesses to host openings or events to showcase and offer products for sale on a limited basis.

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    Mike Collins over 4 years ago

    The Cypress area of Hermosa Beach has long been a hotbed of creativity, innovation and craftsmanship. These are facts that should be celebrated and encouraged. As you can read from all of the public comments, the community, including the majority of building and business owners, are in favor of what is happening in the area. We are attracting positive community involvement and attention to our town.
    As a matter of fact, the only complaints ever lodged about the changes in the area are being lobbied from the owner of the gym that is currently suing the city. Is it possible that they were filing complaints to help bolster their legal dealings, and that under different circumstances they too would be in favor of exactly what we are asking to have amended?
    The presence of new growth in the area is in alignment with both Hermosa’s history, and her future. This is serving to clean up, promote and shine light on some of what is best about our community.
    When we moved into the space that is now ShockBoxx, the building was in disrepair, with trash spilling out of dumpsters that contained mattresses, collections of junk leaning on the exterior walls and a large orange van that had been an eyesore and joke on the street for nearly 10 years. In addition to cleaning up the frontage of the building, there is a noticeable absence of the once common drug dealing, violence and intimidation that occurred on the regular.
    As neighbors and business owners in the area, we are watchful and dedicated to keeping the street clean. As a matter of fact, we regularly sweep the gutters from the building that begins at 717 Cypress and continue beyond ShockBoxx to the bottom of Cypress at 6th street. We do this at no charge to Athens or the City. We do this because we believe in the community and take pride in the area.
    Look around. Others are following suit. You have heard from the businesses and planning commissioner who report that we share parking with one another, and that some daytime businesses use other’s parking spaces in exchange for use of their space in the evening.
    So, what HAS happened since ShockBoxx and some of the other new creative spaces have arrived on Cypress? Specific to ShockBoxx, we have hosted art shows for locals to celebrate surfboard manufacturing in the area, for Keoni Boyd to showcase decades of his craft, almost all of which he created in the 717 building of Cypress. We’ve held art openings for local elementary and high school kids…all of these not to make money, but to celebrate the people and power of our community. We’ve opened our doors to allow art shows that raise awareness about marine environments, eating disorders, addiction, gun violence and female empowerment. In addition to this, we’ve created a space that is being talked about in the larger art community. Many of our openings and art endeavors have been featured in or on the cover of local newspapers and magazines. This is not just in the Southbay. We have caught the attention of the global art community.
    Art patrons, artists, magazines, critics and everybody in between are writing about this little area of Hermosa Beach and how cool the surfboard shapers, music studios, automotive guys, plumbers and woodworkers seem to blend together. They are writing about ShockBoxx and wondering how a little street in Hermosa Beach can attract a Hollywood filmmaker to have his debut solo show and bring in television and film insiders, influential executives and gallery owners one weekend, and a month later host a local photographer’s show that brings back the same crowd. They return because they like the town, the street, and the people they meet here. ShockBoxx is putting Hermosa Beach on the art map as a place to be taken seriously. Local artists are meeting larger opportunities and being celebrated by a wider audience.
    Just last Saturday we held a photography show that was the result of an international art call. This juried show hosted photographers from as nearby as Hermosa, Redondo, Manhattan and Palos Verdes, and as far away and Montana, New York and Germany. Two of the photographers flew in with their families. They stayed in local hotels for the weekend and I’m guessing they probably ate at local establishments, shopped at local stores, and will likely go home and tell their friends just how cool Hermosa Beach is, and how they too should come visit.
    The simple ask, and simple solution to help keep this moving forward in responsible fashion, is to amend the zone text to allow for this to continue. One way would be to change typical use hours to 9pm. The other simple solution is to amend the current Temporary Minor Special Event Permit to allow for more than 12 events in a calendar year, or to write a new permit similar to the one used on Pier Avenue and Hermosa Avenue. This permit could be valid for one or two years, and would still hold businesses accountable to following rules that govern noise and crowd flow.

    Respectfully,

    Mike Collins

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    Lee Hudspeth over 4 years ago

    Dear Hermosa Beach City Council Members, Planning Commissioners, City Manager and City Staff:

    I am a 35-year resident of Hermosa Beach. My wife and I own a home at 1105 2nd Street, halfway up the hill between Saint Rocke and Prospect Avenue. I have frequently walked from my home to the Cypress District in the evening to enjoy art events at Resin, ShockBoxx and Studio 637.

    All these events have been professional, clean, quiet, enjoyable and harmonious. I never observed any negative impact on the street itself or any of the surrounding buildings. The event attendees always behaved respectfully and politely.

    Whenever I walk or drive along the Cypress Avenue Arts District, it is always a positive and uplifting experience for me. I’m confident this is true for the many other patrons of these excellent galleries and companies.

    I strongly endorse and support all the arts-related businesses operating on Cypress Avenue. These businesses have added to my sense of community in Hermosa Beach (and Cypress Avenue itself) and inspired me artistically.

    I support the proposed amendments and additions that allow for a new Limited Events Permit to allow Cypress District businesses to host openings or events to showcase and offer products for sale.

    If you have any questions for me, I would be happy to answer them.

    Sincerely, Lee Hudspeth

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    Grant Ibrahim over 4 years ago

    Why limit something that is good for our community? The events always bring friends and neighbors together for the arts. It’s great for residents and local businesses. Please don’t change what works well for the community!

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    Adam Malovani over 4 years ago

    I'm 100% in favor of a new Limited Events Permit for the Cypress District and anything we can do as a community to encourage music (and art) in Hermosa in general. Music and art are in our cultural DNA.

    It sounds like the primary concern from a handful of neighbors is the noise, which I can understand. Rather than limit the number of events a gallery, music studio or business can have, how about we set the limit on the decibel levels? If a larger event is planning to exceed the decibel levels, maybe it would require signatures from a specified % of the neighbors within a certain radius of the event, as is required for a block party.

    I'm especially interested in changing the permit process to make it easier, faster and less expensive to allow "amplified" music outdoors around Hermosa. It's my understanding that currently, if you want to have an acoustic guitar plugged into a small amp outdoors, it requires a Special Event Permit, an Amplified Music Permit and Insurance which costs a total of about $1,300 plus presentations to and approvals by Parks & Rec and City Council and several months lead time. Again, the permit could designate the max decibel level. Let's encourage live music outdoors rather than restrict it.

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    John Behan over 4 years ago

    Dear Planning Commission,
    I purchased the building at 620 Cypress in 2004 to move my thriving business to the city in which I live. My business continues to grow and I support 25 south bay families through employment in my company. Resin and Raphael's team have been very courtesy neighbors and I enjoy the work that they are doing. We rarely get in each other's way since we run on different schedules and we have open lines of communication.
    My concerns are two fold. First, with this proposed change to the Cypress district, how these events will be monitored and policed? My business is a day time business and is most of the Cypress district. If events spill over to the streets, sidewalks, etc then who is responsible for the clean up. I believe it puts undo pressure on the businesses to become the "tattle tales" if these events don't stay within their limits. Also, will these events be required to be placed on the city special events calendar?

    Second, if the zoning and permissible business and events moves forward then it must encompass all businesses in the M-1 areas. The commission should not do spot zoning as suggested during the Cypress walk event with only certain businesses being allowed to have events or only certain businesses being able to do retail. The possibility of spot zoning begs the question of favoritism towards certain types of businesses in the area.
    I am not opposed to changes in the area as long as the changes do not become problematic for legacy businesses or businesses that don't fall into the "creative arts" category.
    Sincerely,
    John Behan
    JB Plumbing

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    Wayne Bradley over 4 years ago

    I fully support Hermosa and the Arts, and I like what they are doing at the Industrial Arts District on Cypress with the Art Galleries, Music, Production facilities, Surfboard Designers & Shapers and any additional Industrial Arts.

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    Jeff Baker over 4 years ago

    As a resident, musician, business supporter and art lover, I am in strong support of this amendment. This will go a long way to improve the variety of how residents and visitors alike see and experience HBCA and also support local business. Thanks in advance for the consideration. JB

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    Zeal Levin over 4 years ago

    I am fully in support of all the art, music and creative work that has been happening on Cypress Ave. Art, music, and other creative endeavors, like those happening on Cypress improve the lives of local residents, build community, and have the possibility to bring significant attention to the Hermosa beach art scene in general.

    I am grateful to be a musician who is part of the incredibly supportive and wonderful Hermosa Beach arts community. The Cypress district is not only making art, but also doing charity work, and giving back to the community and those less fortunate.

    with gratitude,
    Zeal Levin

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    C N over 4 years ago

    As a community - I support businesses showcasing any and all openings and or events. This community especially - is so creative...there needs to be a place to allow those to express all talents for others to experience.

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    Jose Bacallao over 4 years ago

    I am in full support of the Art & Music Scene in the Cypress District. This is a great step forward for our community.

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    Alex Smith over 4 years ago

    I support a Cypress arts district. My grandfather was born in Hermosa, my dad grew up in Hermosa, I lived for 10 years in Hermosa, and my younger brother now lives in Hermosa, all a few blocks away from Cypress and 6th St. Economics are changing, people are changing. The community of Hermosa Beach is not clamoring for more light manufacturing zoning. Hermosa is a community of people not just a place. And people are excited for art and music and fun, and that doesn't always have to be concentrated that Pier Avenue.

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    Robert Fortunato over 4 years ago

    Honorable City Planning Commissioners,
    My wife, Monica, and I have been to many art openings and musical events in the Cyprus district and found them to be wonderful community building events and some of the best parts of being in Hermosa. As a Hermosa residents and homeowners for over 25 years we welcome a change to event permits that will make holding these events a much easier process.
    Thank you,
    Robert Fortunato

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    Myko Kona over 4 years ago

    There are many businesses in Hermosa Beach. I personally feel I'd like to see more changes that allow for growth. These businesses will provide opportunities for everything from employment to community involvement and resource. We need to celebrate the local small businesses not just the large corporate institutions. I'd like to see Hermosa flourish and maintain it's coastal lifestyle. We can all coexist. Cypress also helps keep the musical and artistic culture that has shaped this beach community. I'm all for seeing more events on Cyrpess and throught the city. Let's all come together and support one another and watch our city grow and make life more beautiful for the residents and visitors. This is a good start.

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    Russ Gilbert over 4 years ago

    I live just one street over from Cypress and the idea of it evolving into a vibrant and rich cultural center is quite exciting. Art and Music will help support local businesses and give residents more reason to stay near home on nights and weekends.

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    Renee Dokmanovich over 4 years ago

    I am 100% in support of the growth that is happening in the Cypress district. The South Bay needs a treasure like this. I have attended events in that area and it has added a tremendous amount of culture to my family & to myself.

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    Vicki Hicks over 4 years ago

    The Cypress Industrial Arts District we Absolutely wecome & support them to showcase Art & Music and products for sale Art, in any form, can give people emotions that can lift up their spirit and make them more driven than ever. ... And this is the mere reason why art & Music  is important in our daily lives. With the art that we are surrounded by, whether it's a painting, music or even videos can have a huge impact on our mood and emotions
    Thank you

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    Stephen McCall over 4 years ago

    Fervent support for the Cypress District businesses to host openings or events to showcase and offer products for sale. I love attending events there with my family and greatly appreciate all the effort that these local businesses do to support our schools, as well as inspiring a love of art and culture for our kids.
    Stephen McCall - Hermosa School Board

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    Renee Layman over 4 years ago

    Supporting local people and business is a good thing and the fact that art and helping people is included in that is even better! I support this 100 percent. I love dropping in on shows and events and seeing how coming together as a community can have such a positive effect!

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    JL Cederblom over 4 years ago

    Shockboxx and the other creative spaces on Cypress are a great asset to the South Bay. When beautiful creative people come together to create, clean up and build community it is something that builds so much value to not only the property but the entire South Bay. I whole heartedly support the efforts being made to continue to hold inspiring events in the Cypress community of creatives and look forward to seeing more art from around the world being brought into our neighborhood.

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    Christine Shultz over 4 years ago

    Shockboxx and Resin are the best thing that happened to Cypress. They have improved that street and are helping define the cool vibe on that street. This is in line with Hermosa’s soul. We are very lucky to have art galleries in our town. I pop in with my kids to give them an art experience. Please approve so they can keep doing the great things they are doing for our community. No
    brainer.