The Weekly Newspaper of Inglewood Daily News on a Weekly Basis - Herald Publications - Inglewood, Hawthorne, Lawndale, El Segundo, Torrance & Manhattan Beach Community Newspapers Since 1911 - Circulation 30,000 - Readership 60,000 (310) 322-1830 - March 23, 2017 National University, Salvation Army Hold Launch Event in Inglewood The private, nonprofit National University and the Salvation Army held a launch event March 16 at the Inglewood Salvation Army community center. The collaboration allows for the University to expand its Nurse-Managed Clinic services at the Salvation Army’s community centers in Inglewood and Compton through in-person and innovative telehealth services. From left to right: Envoy Roy Snapp-Kolas, Salvation Army Inglewood Corps Officer; Dr. Gloria McNeal, Dean of the National University School of Health and Human Services; and Col. Kyle Smith, Commander with The Salvation Army Southern California Division. (Photo Provided by National University) Planning Commission’s Denial for Special Use Permit Upheld By Cristian Vasquez A unanimous vote on Tuesday by Mayor James T. Butts and members of the Inglewood City Council confirmed the denial of Special Use Permit (SUP) No. 2016-013, abiding by the municipal code barring beauty salons to open within 300 feet of similar businesses. The Inglewood Planning Commission hosted a public hearing in consideration of a request to approve a special use permit to allow for the operation of a beauty salon on February 1 of this year. However, based on Inglewood Municipal Code Chapter 12, Articles 7.1 and 25 requiring that a special permit must be approved for a beauty salon to operate within 300 feet of an existing salon, the Commission denied the request. “Our rule in place for prohibiting an additional existing use is there for a reason,” said District No. 3 Councilman Eloy Morales, Jr. “Of course we want all of the businesses to prosper--but when it was put in place, there were probably continuous applications for similar uses. We still have that [rule] and we need to honor it to the degree that makes sense.” The 1,200-square foot location is part of a shopping center attached to an AM/PM gas station and convenience store, and is within 250 feet of a similar-use business located at 10800 S. Prairie Avenue. Upon denial of the SUP, the City’s Planning Division received a letter of appeal along with the associated fee to obtain a public hearing before the City Council. Applicant Miguel Tellez proposed that his business was not of similar use given its focus was to provide haircuts to kids two to 12 years old in a atmosphere that would include toys and entertainment to make children comfortable within the setting of a barbershop. “One of the things that was said was that this is a specialty salon for children--that is great and I think that is a great idea, but the fact that it exists and specializes doesn’t mean that it prohibits adult hair from being cut no more than an adult barber shop or beauty salon prohibits children,” Morales said. “That being said, I don’t see reason to overturn the decision made by the Planning Commission.” Despite the barbershop’s design including a customer reception area, five hairstyling stations and two restrooms, the business is located on the second floor--making it a cause for concern for District No. 4 Councilman Ralph L. Franklin. The Councilman visited the business and identified it as having a balcony facing Prairie Avenue and 108th Street with a guardrail 40 to 42 inches in height. He also expressed concern about the entryway to the business. “One must physically go through a stairwell, zig-zag to get up and at the top of it is the patio,” Franklin said. “The patio is the area where there is plenty of free time to play and if you know anything about our children, if you’re not watching them, all it takes is a matter of a second for them to fall off the balcony and get hurt.” Sitting atop of the convenience store the proposed barbershop also provided access through the AM/PM, which the Councilman thought would add to safety hazards of the location. Despite a handful of residents speaking on behalf of Tellez to overturn the denial, there were no indications that the Council would consider contradicting the Planning Commission’s findings, including that allowing a barbershop would create an environment of oversaturation of beauty salons, nail salons and similar businesses; that there are existing businesses providing the proposed services; and that the proposed barbershop location is unsafe for patrons due to the stairs, balcony and lack of American with Disabilities Act facilities. “I listened to the residents that are here and the owner of the business and you take all of these things into consideration, and I do want you to know how much I appreciate the fact that you came all the way down here to do your presentation,” District No. 2 Councilman Alex Padilla said. “At the end of the day, I have to look at what is the best interest of the city overall and take that into consideration.” Franklin added, “I want to thank the owner of the property for thinking outside the box in wanting to have a new business operation. I have a great concern for our youth being exposed to such safety issues, but I understand the logic.” • Inside This Issue Certified & Licensed Professionals.......................2 Calendar...............................3 Classifieds............................2 Community Briefs...............3 Food.......................................5 Hawthorne Happenings....3 Legals................................ 6-7 Police Reports.....................2 Sports....................................4 Weekend Forecast Friday Sunny 63˚/54˚ Saturday Rainy 74˚/59˚ Sunday Sunny 64˚/52˚ “Our rule in place for prohibiting an additional existing use is there for a reason.”
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