Lawndale Tightens Condo, Apartment Development Rules
Lawndale’s effort to prohibit construction of cramped apartment and condominium complexes pushed ahead Thursday as the City Council approved tougher development standards under a moratorium that was extended to July 27, 1992.
In a 5-0 vote, the council stiffened density restrictions for new apartments and condominiums in two multiunit zones (R-3 and R-4) to 33 units per acre. Under the original 45-day moratorium approved Aug. 1, the maximum number of apartments or condominiums that could be built was 41 units per acre.
The interim measure also requires that new apartment projects undergo design review by the Planning Commission and meet the more restrictive open space, parking and setback requirements of condominiums.
The city’s current development standards for condominiums require 200 square feet of open space per unit. Apartments had required a minimum of 120 square feet for each unit, 40% less than the condominium standard.
The temporary standards were enacted to give the city time to consider permanent regulations for apartment and condominium construction. A similar moratorium was adopted in December, 1989, but expired a year later.
Community Development Director Gary Chicots said a proposed zoning amendment being prepared by his staff will mirror standards adopted in the moratorium but added that the amendment could be changed substantially before the City Council approves it. He said the draft amendment will probably be submitted to the Planning Commission in 30 to 45 days, with hearings to follow.
Before the moratorium was enacted in August, city statutes allowed 59 units per acre in R3 and R4 zones. City officials agree that projects built under those limits led to traffic and parking problems.
The Planning Commission has recommended that the maximum number of units be trimmed by 50%, to 29 units per acre. According to a city land-use survey, that compares to the average standards of neighboring communities.
The survey found that Lawndale has the least restrictive density standards among Carson, Gardena, El Segundo, Hawthorne, Redondo Beach and Torrance.
“Even with the council’s action (Thursday night), all we’re doing is catching up with everybody else,” Chicots said. “We’re still a bargain (for developers) compared to other cities.”
Councilwoman Carol Norman said she supports the Planning Commission recommendation, saying it will discourage developers whose only aim is to “make the most money and put the least into the units.” But Norman said she wants to consider alternatives before making a final judgment.
Some residents argued that the 29-unit-per-acre proposal would fail to resolve overcrowding, traffic and parking problems in Lawndale.
“This is still too dense,” Lawndale resident Herman Weinstein said at Thursday’s public hearing. “Our average streets will not accommodate this density.”
Resident Steve Mino agreed with Weinstein and urged the council to consider increased setbacks for apartments and condominiums. “Let’s get some air and open space in this city,” he said.
