Redondo Beach : Harbor Beautification Plan

A land-use district aimed at beautifying the harbor entrance was tentatively approved by the City Council this week for the 600 to 1200 blocks of North Catalina Avenue.

The proposed change would impose strict development controls in the area--roughly between Pacific Coast Highway and Beryl Street--which is now used primarily for industrial purposes. Under the proposed zoning change, all developments would need to obtain a conditional use permit from the council.

The council also made the same area part of a survey to study the advantages of declaring most of the corridor a redevelopment area.

City officials want to make the main harbor entrance more appealing and pedestrian-oriented and hope to attract restaurants, small retail shops, a convention center, art galleries and nightclubs.

Among the development possibilities that are currently allowed on the corridor but would not be considered under the proposed zoning, according to a staff report, are hotels, adult entertainment lounges, auto towing yards, service stations and arcades.