City Planners Advise Tougher Land-Use Rules for San Pedro

After eight months of study, Los Angeles city planners have recommended zone changes and other land-use restrictions for San Pedro that would require new development be consistent with existing residential and commercial areas.

The recommendations, unveiled last week, closely parallel those made last year by a San Pedro citizens committee that spent 18 months examining ways of curbing high-density development.

That development, which boomed during the late 1980s, led two years ago to tough, temporary restrictions on apartment and condominium construction. The restrictions have significantly slowed the pace of such development in the community.

But in looking for long-term restrictions, the 23-member Community Plan Citizens Advisory Committee and now city planners have proposed that new zoning be adopted by city lawmakers to ensure that San Pedro maintains its small-town character.

In agreeing with virtually all of the committee’s recommendations, city planners have proposed that every residential and commercial area of San Pedro be subject to zoning that is at least as restrictive as the zoning in place three years ago.

With San Pedro’s population hovering at about 80,000, the proposed zoning would effectively limit San Pedro’s development to accommodate no more than 90,000 residents, according to Mario Juravich, San Pedro deputy to Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores, who represents the harbor area. Before the temporary restrictions were enacted, he said, up to 110,000 residents would have been possible.

In addition to zone changes, planners have also recommended tougher height limits in many residential neighborhoods, mixed commercial and residential development downtown, and additional off-street parking for new apartment buildings and condominium projects.

A workshop explaining the changes will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. July 2 at the Harbor Department’s headquarters. On July 11, at the same location and time, city planners will hold a public hearing on the proposals.

Copies of the recommendations are available at the San Pedro Municipal Library and San Pedro Municipal Building.