Hermosa Beach : Condo Freeze to Be Reinstated

The City Council voted 4 to 1 Tuesday to reinstate a 45-day emergency building moratorium on condominiums in single-family residential zones in Hermosa Beach.

The council directed City Atty. James Lough to draft a moratorium ordinance, which could be approved at the next meeting Nov. 12 and could take effect immediately after the vote.

Mayor Jack Wood opposed the moratorium, saying he does not believe the situation warrants emergency action.

An emergency moratorium on condominium construction was first adopted by the council in August after a developer surprised the city with plans for a nine-unit project at 534 20th Street. It was the first time condominiums had been proposed in a single-family residential zone. The original moratorium expired Oct. 11.

In August, the city Planning Commission was directed to study building codes to determine if ambiguities might, in fact, allow condominiums in single-family residential areas. That review is expected to be completed in December.

Building Director William Grove said the city has received no new building requests for condominiums in single-family zones since the original moratorium expired.