To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ELIZABETH HAUSE, WATERFRONT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
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ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2609-079 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING PURSUANT TO THE SURPLUS LAND ACT THAT CITY OWNED PROPERTY AT 179 N. HARBOR DRIVE IS EXEMPT SURPLUS LAND AND NOT NECESSARY FOR THE CITY’S USE
THE PROPERTY INCLUDES PORTIONS OF APN #S 7503-33-903, 7503-33-905, AND ADJACENT PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY - R-10 SOCIAL HOUSE AND RELATED
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The State of California Surplus Land Act (SLA) requires all local agencies to prioritize affordable housing, parks, and open space when disposing of surplus land. Unfortunately, the SLA does not differentiate between public lands, and applies to sites like those in the Waterfront and Harbor area where land may become available due to lease expirations or other factors. The SLA requires that, before a local agency take any action to dispose of land, including the lease of land for development, the land must be declared as surplus land, or exempt surplus land, and the declaration must be supported by written findings. The proposed Resolution which would declare the subject site as exempt surplus land based on a statutory exemption for small parcels of one-half acre or less.
BACKGROUND
The R-10 Social House, located at 179 N. Harbor Drive, is currently operating on a month-to-month rental basis. Other uses located in the building structure are the Redondo Beach Marina Offices and operations yard, and some space used by the Paddle House. Given the opportunity to explore the development or upgrade the property through the solicitation of proposals, City staff have been looking at what area may be available to enhance the potential of the property and achieve the Strategic Plan and Waterfront Amenities Plan goals for the area. As such, staff has identified a larger footprint than the existing leasehold which includes adjacent vacant land, passageways, and a storage building and trash enclosure on the Captain Kidd’s leasehold, that could possibly be incorporated into the site offered. The exploration of incorporating elements of the Captain Kidd’s leasehold would require agreement of that lessee through a lease amendment.
Prior to preparing the proposed map, staff examined a number of potential configurations of the possible lease site. Staff determined that limiting the area of the site to one-half acre or less, thereby qualifying for the small parcel exemption under the SLA, would provide the City with greater control over use and disposition of the site. The actual footprint of the site, as shown in the map attached to the Resolution, could be adjusted downward, as needed or desired, from that currently identified.
The land is proposed to be declared as exempt from the SLA as provided by section 103(c)(3)(a) of the SLA Guidelines, small surplus land parcels category, in which the land is less than the 21,780 square feet in area (half an acre), and is not contiguous to land owned by a local agency that is used for open-space or low- and moderate-income housing purposes.
Last month, the City received preliminary State Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) approval of the exemption for the site as shown. Council approval of the proposed Resolution declaring the site as exempt surplus land is necessary to obtain the exemption. The Resolution also specifies that the City provide notification of the availability of the site for open space purposes to certain designated parks and open-space agencies, consistent with State law, which will occur soon after approval of the Resolution.
COORDINATION
The recommended action was developed by the Waterfront and Economic Development Department in coordination with the City Attorney’s Office and outside counsel, and the Community Development Department.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with approval of the proposed Resolution. Staff time and attorney costs associated with the development of the recommendation are included in the Adopted FY 2026-27 Budget for the Waterfront Department. The development of the site, in whatever final configuration, is expected to result in increased revenues to the City.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Reso - No. CC-2609-079 Declaring Pursuant to the Surplus Land Act that City Owned Property at 179 N. Harbor Drive is Exempt Surplus Land and Not Necessary for the City’s Uses