FAR Facts

Why the FAR for BCHD and Public Institutional land should not be increased

At the last meetings on PI FAR, BCHD demanded a high 1.25 FAR for BCHD and ALL public land, as stated in their lawyer's letter and mass email messages to the public. This request is excessive, self-serving, and ignores the established character of Redondo Beach.

Some facts:

The average existing Public Institutional land in the City has a FAR of 0.26. See table of existing FAR for public land parcels here.

After careful consideration, the Planning Commission recommended 0.50 FAR for PI Land, which is 2X the existing FAR as built of PI sites, on average.

A 0.75 FAR was studied by the GPAC in the updated General Plan. That allows for 3X the size of what currently exists for most public properties.

But BCHD is pushing for a 1.25 FAR, 5X greater than most PI land, and nearly DOUBLE the density and intensity of their existing buildings.

BCHD's CEO argues that they should have the same FAR as Redondo Beach City Hall and Annex. However, the City provides essential infrastructure, public safety and emergency services to all Redondo Beach residents. BCHD offers optional, non-essential services.

At 1.25 FAR, BCHD's Public Institutional land would have a HIGHER density/intensity than both Commercial and Industrial zones within Redondo Beach.

The failure of BCHD’s $30M Bond Measure BC shows a clear mandate: the residents do not support BCHD's bid for expansion, or desire for a higher FAR.

Any increase in BCHD's FAR would be grossly out of character for the City and surrounding neighborhoods.

The City's General Plan policy provides a clear path should a project be put forward in the future.

None of BCHD's services require an increase in FAR.

BCHD’s push for a 1.25 FAR would allow for unprecedented density at the site and the privatization of public land.

See MAJOR CHANGES in Allowable Land Use Proposed in General Plan

Click here to residents' responses to the City Council about BCHD's damaging campaign for a higher FAR.