Local News in Brief : Residents Want Stores Saved
A group of Manhattan Beach residents who want to preserve their North End neighborhood had a novel request for the City Council this week. They asked the council to impose a temporary moratorium on residential development, which they say threatens to swallow up the small stores in the neighborhood.
“There’s nothing like being able to come home from work and do your shopping on foot,” said 35th Street resident Pat Adamec after the meeting Tuesday.
The area along Highland Avenue between 32nd and 38th streets is zoned commercial but permits both residential and commercial uses.
The council did not agree to the request.
“It’s really kind of an interesting turnaround here,” said Councilman Bob Holmes. “In an area which allows mixed use, we’re hearing you don’t want residential development. . . . I think this is a first for me.”
Mayor Larry Dougharty said the city could attract small shops to the area if it put parking lots in the North End.
Ben Vicini, who lives on Crest Drive, a block from Highland, submitted a petition with 44 signatures asking the council to stop residential growth in the area.
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