Long Beach : Commercial Building Ban Planned for Belmont Shore

The Long Beach City Council is planning to impose a four-month moratorium on the construction and expansion of bars, restaurants, offices and fast-food establishments in Belmont Shore.

The moratorium will remain in effect while another of Belmont Shore’s many parking squabbles is settled. Under a proposed zoning change already approved by the city but pending before the State Coastal Commission, stricter parking requirements would go into effect for non-retail businesses in the shore, to bring the regulations in line with citywide requirements. Shore businessmen protested the parking changes, and the Coastal Commission has postponed consideration of the matter to encourage a resolution of the controversy.

In the meantime, the moratorium will prevent restaurants and bars from rushing to take advantage of the old, more lenient parking standards before new ones are adopted.

A moratorium ordinance is being prepared for approval by the council.