Redondo Moves to Sell Off Land Sought by Residents

The Redondo Beach City Council took the first steps Tuesday to divest the city of 66 parcels of land along Freeman Boulevard in North Redondo that have spurred a nasty squabble with neighboring residents who claim a homestead-style stake in the property.

The council voted 3 to 2, with Mayor Brad Parton abstaining from the discussion because of a potential conflict of interest, to declare the land as surplus property, the initial step in making it available for sale. To comply with state law, it will first be offered for purchase to other governmental agencies. If no bids are received, it then will be appraised for possible sale to the public.

The 66 parcels form two 31-foot-wide right-of-way strips running along each side of Freeman Boulevard from Vail Avenue to a cul-de-sac near Dow Avenue, a distance of about 2,000 feet. Both strips abut the rear yards of homeowners on the adjacent Johnston and Pinckard avenues.

Over the past several years, many of these homeowners have treated the city property as their own, fencing it in, tidying it up and even cutting rear-yard driveway access across it. Recently, however, Redondo Beach officials discovered the land actually is owned by the city and immediately began discussing how to curb the newly uncovered liability exposure.

At Tuesday’s public hearing, more than a dozen residents with back yards that adjoin the city-owned strips said the parcels should be sold to them at a discount, arguing that they have maintained the property for years without any aid from the city. They also contend that the narrow bands of surplus land are inappropriate for any city development.

Councilman Ron Cawdrey agreed: “I don’t see any use for this property outside of a real nice liability problem for the city.”

However, Councilwoman Barbara J. Doerr said she would prefer to see the property used as a greenbelt or a pathway for walkers. Councilman Stevan Colin sided with Doerr in urging a public use for the land, even though the Recreation and Parks Commission in February rejected proposals to use the property for a linear park, dog run or bicycle trail.

“We just have to be a little more creative,” Colin said.