The Weekly Newspaper of El Segundo Herald Publications - El Segundo, Torrance, Manhattan Beach, Hawthorne, Lawndale, & Inglewood Community Newspapers Since 1911 - (310) 322-1830 - Vol. 106, No. 23 - June 8, 2017 Inside This Issue Certified & Licensed Professionals.....................16 Classifieds............................4 Crossword/Sudoku.............4 Entertainment......................7 Legals............................ 14,15 Pets......................................18 People...................................2 Police Reports...................17 Real Estate...........9-13,19,20 Sports.................................5,8 Weekend Forecast Horseshoe Tournament and Others Raise Money for C.A.S.E. El Segundo horseshoe pitchers at the 20th Annual Clarabell Horseshoe Tournament and Fundraiser on May 27. The El Segundo Firefighters’ Association and many local businesses and community members provided donations and support for C.A.S.E. to benefit El Segundo families in need. Photo Provided by Charlotte Lassos. • Council Considers Accessory Dwelling Units, Extends TopGolf Due Diligence Period By Brian Simon The City of El Segundo must comply with new state regulations (enacted as of January 1, 2017) allowing owners in the single-family home R-1 zone to have accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on their properties. The City’s current code has been restrictive in that regard, with only 35 out of 2,537 R-1 lots qualifying for ADUs. The new state law approves ADUs on any R-1 lot if within the space of an existing structure, with a maximum size of 1,200 square feet or 49 percent of the house. It also entails that local agencies (i.e. cities) can no longer enforce parking requirements. However, the legislation does allow cities to maintain local control over some aspects. The matter came before the El Segundo City Council on Tuesday night after four prior Planning Commission public hearings. Citizens Local Communities Called to Change with the Climate By Rob McCarthy More hot days, longer droughts and a rising ocean level are the long-range forecast for the South Bay. That’s the conclusion of climate and oceanic researchers who’ve documented changes on land and offshore over the last century. So, why all the debate? Americans overwhelmingly believe in climate change. Nearly 70 percent did in a poll before last week’s action on the Paris Agreement by the Trump White House. People say, too, they are increasingly concerned about what’s happening. The data is mounting from the melting polar ice caps to the most recent drought emergency in California, this one lasting from 2014 to 2017. Not everyone agrees on why, though. Skeptics argue that climate change is a hoax, created by scientists who have their own agenda. The doubters are suspicious of the data and the United Nations’ Paris Agreement. They call it an attack on corporations and global commerce by the environmental lobby. The climate skeptics frame the issue as being about politics and power rather than environmental protection and stewardship of the planet. Whether a person believes in climate change depends on their political beliefs. Democrats and those who identify themselves as liberal believe in the science that says Earth’s surface temperature is rising and altering weather and precipitation. See Climate, page 3 who spoke at those meetings expressed overwhelming support for permitting ADUs in town with the least restrictions possible. While following the minimum mandatory state guidelines for existing structures, the Planning Commission recommended prohibiting garage conversions (though an ADU can be attached to or on top of a garage), but to allow ADUs of up to 800 square feet to be connected to detached garages. The group also agreed R-1 owners ought to either live in the main house or ADU and that small R-2 lots should also be able to have ADUs. The Planning Commission additionally recommended preserving existing rights on the original 35 lots and releasing covenants on existing structures. The Council ultimately directed staff to return in two weeks with an amended ordinance that includes all the Planning Commission recommendations but also permits stand-alone ADU structures on a property and allows the full 1,200 square feet across the board. Regardless, structures on properties must still fall within the City’s maximum floor to area ratio (FAR) of 0.60 for residential lots. Mayor Suzanne Fuentes was opposed to the 1,200 square foot allowance, feeling it too large. “This will change El Segundo… I see it becoming a different city,” she said, concerned that the R-1 zone will turn into R-2. She also confirmed that despite the public support on record, she had heard from several people opposed to the changes. Though expressing sympathy for those who wish to have family members live on the properties, she thought the ADUs could potentially hurt neighboring property values while also adversely impacting City services and parking because of more people living on the block. Mayor Pro Tem Drew Boyles opined that the move will increase R-1 property values, help address El Segundo’s housing shortage and bolster local sales taxes. He felt that the Friday See City Council, page 15 Sunny 67˚/60˚ Saturday Mostly Cloudy 67˚/59˚ Sunday Partly Cloudy 67˚/58˚
Herald_060817_FNL_lorez
To see the actual publication please follow the link above