After a strong negative reaction from both residents and some city representatives regarding the proposed Land Use Element, the Long Beach Development Services Department updated the maps based on the feedback. But the revised maps are still eliciting mixed reactions, with some arguing that increasing development will overcrowd the city.

 

“I’m in opposition to the 4th District map,” Councilmember Daryl Supernaw, who represents that district, said. “Some of the land use heights were removed from the eastern side of the district, east of Clark Avenue. But much of the density remains on the west side of the district.”

 

The Land Use Element is a city’s blueprint for its goals and policies regarding land use and future development. Based on state projections, the proposal must account for the construction of 7,048 residential units by 2021 to accommodate an estimated population growth of 18,230 in Long Beach by 2040.

 

Third District Councilmember Suzie Price said she noticed changes made in her district that aligned with recommendations she had made to city staff. She “fully expects” to propose more revisions after examining a few areas more closely.

 

“Staff was recommending increases for the pier [area] that were about two stories higher than what we currently have,” Price said. “We already have some large apartment buildings there, so I asked them [city staff] to break down specifically what the height limits are right now for each parcel so I can decide what height makes sense. They just weren’t able to get that done before the maps were released.”

 

Price is conducting a walking tour with her constituents to address concerns. She would like to remind residents that updating the Land Use Element is an ongoing process and nothing is final at this point.

 

“If there’s something you’d like to change, give me an opportunity to drive it, walk it, go there with you,” she said.

 

Real estate broker Robert Fox, who represents the Council of Neighborhood Organizations (CONO), expressed strong opposition to the revised maps. CONO is a community group intended to provide a forum for the presidents of the city’s neighborhood associations.

 

“People told them [city representatives] specifically, ‘We don’t want five-story buildings on the corridors of Long Beach,’” Fox said.

 

On October 26, Mayor Robert Garcia met with CONO and other community representatives to discuss the proposed Land Use Element. Fox claimed the mayor told them he would like to see development concentrated in the downtown area.

 

Price reminded city residents to maintain a realistic perspective regarding population growth and the necessary accommodations. “We’re looking at a population growth in L.A. County of one million people by 2045,” she said. “We’re going to have to plan for that; we can’t pretend it’s not happening.”

 

Price also wanted to clarify some misconceptions regarding parking.

 

“People will say, over and over again, ‘We have a parking problem, the Land Use Element doesn’t address parking.’ That’s factually true, but disingenuous,” she said. “We have development laws already in place that require any additional units or uses to come with parking. You cannot add another unit or use without parking [accommodations].”

 

Fifth District Councilmember Stacy Mungo could not be reached for comment after numerous attempts by the Business Journal. The mayor did not wish to comment.