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Lawndale Tribune
AND lAwNDAle News
The Weekly Newspaper of Lawndale
Herald Publications - Inglewood, Hawthorne, Lawndale, El Segundo, Torrance & Manhattan Beach Community Newspapers Since 1911 - Circulation 30,000 - Readership 60,000 (310) 322-1830 - August 24, 2017
Rare Solar Eclipse Captures
the Fancies of Photographers
Though it didn’t fully darken the South Bay skies, Monday’s solar eclipse was still a sight to behold—provided you had safe viewing equipment. This photo of the event was taken by Herald Publications’
own Gregg McMullin.
Council Keeps City Codes Static
on Parking and Smoking
By Haleemon Anderson
Parking pads and hookah bars were on the
agenda at Monday’s Lawndale City Council
meeting, but support for either of the items
was minimal at best.
Parking, a perennial issue in Lawndale,
was on the docket--this time for consideration
of parking pads and attendant landscaping
on residential properties. The Council and
residents had plenty to say.
Mayor Pro Tem Daniel Reid noted there
are cases when a parking pad makes sense,
notably where handicapped citizens reside. In
those cases, said Reid, “I would support a drop
to 40 percent landscaping, but no further.”
Resident Pam London expressed disdain
for parking pads, saying they are unsightly.
“The Council should never consider reducing
the 50 percent landscaping requirement--we
have enough [pads],” she said, noting the
concrete slabbing is grandfathered in for
residents prior to 2009.
One resident displayed a sense of neighborly
payback. “They didn’t want my artificial turf;
I don’t want their concrete,” she said.
Resident Stephen Koontz agreed the pads
need to be restricted. He also questioned
landscaping codes. “What’s allowed in that
50 percent?” he asked.
Johnny London provided an insight. To
discover code violations since 2009, he said,
“Use Google Earth.” The online mapping
app will reveal residences where concrete
slabs have been installed since the practice
was banned.
The Council agreed the accommodation
for handicaps was warranted. Mayor Robert
Pullen-Miles said, “If the handicap triggers a
variance, then yes. But otherwise, let’s keep
it status quo.”
Sean Moore, Director of Community
Development, reported on agenda item 11—
hookah bars and smoking lounges. He noted
city codes prohibiting such businesses have not
been revisited in several years. He pointed to
the example of Lomita, and potential revenue
from the social gathering places.
Councilmember Jim Osborne noted
the City’s commitment to “smoke-free”
environments. Both Councilmember Pat
Kearney and Reid echoed that concern.
Residents spoke in favor of the lounges,
with one man noting that nightlife in Lawndale
is minimal. “Libraries and parks are closed,
and the lounges provide a social element,”
he said, asking the Council to “take a look
at it again.”
Johnny London, who is also a homeowner,
noted other forms of pollution in the city. “Why
should we condemn them?” he asked. Also,
regarding the dearth of nightlife in Lawndale,
London added,” Let them have something.”
Pullen-Miles weighed in, cautioning against
the dangers of second-hand smoke. “I’m not
inclined to encourage smoking,” he said. The
Council took no action on the issue, simply
filing the staff report.
The Council approved a change to the term of
office for advisory boards, aligning those with
the newly-established elections schedule. The
Council will continue to make appointments
shortly after the elections in November, with
two-year terms to start February 28 of the
following year.
In the public safety report, Captain April
Tardy gave an overview of school safety tips
and introduced two new officers recently added
to the local Sheriffs detail. Tardy reported
Deputies Paz and Shintaku have worked in the
South Bay, most recently as partners covering
El Camino Village.
In public comments, several residents
thanked the City for swift action in removing
a sidewalk obstruction at 169 Street, reported
at last meeting. Pam London noted RVs are
taking up already limited parking throughout
town. “They have to do like other cities and
park on their property or in storage facilities,”
she said.
Barbara Lettre reported flowering trees on
Manhattan Beach Boulevard, and showed the
Council a green 12-inch frond resembling a
short spear. She said people have been hit by
foliage falling from the trees. Lettre described
these sprouts as “miserable,” saying they also
create a mess. Kearney suggested the hazard
be referred to Frank [Senteno, Director, Public
Works]. “He’s our tree expert,” said Kearney.
Library Manager Jose Parra reported several
new programs for the fall, including STEM
programming every Saturday, beginning next
month. STEM initiatives expose school-aged
kids to career paths in science, technology,
engineering and math. The library will host
a meeting of the teen group on September 2
from noon to 1, and a homework open house
on September 12 at 4 pm.
Kearney reported on a new Jamba Juice and
ice cream shop opening. Council members
Inside
This Issue
Certified & Licensed
Professionals.......................5
Classifieds............................3
Community Briefs...............2
Finance..................................3
Food.......................................5
Hawthorne Happenings....3
Legals................................ 6-7
Pets........................................4
Police Reports.....................8
Seniors..................................2
Sports....................................8
Weekend
Forecast
Friday
Partly
Cloudy
76˚/67˚
Saturday
Sunny
79˚/68˚
Sunday
Sunny
81˚/69˚
See City Council page 8