BCHD revenues and services

6/17/21 Daily Breeze

Re: Beach Cities Health District,” The Beach Reporter, 6/10/21

In response to the letter submitted by Beach Cities Health District CEO Tom Bakaly: nonsense. I received his flashy propaganda report in the mail wherein we are supposed to feel good about this district. Tom stated that 33 percent of BCHD funds comes from property taxes [FY 2021-22]. Yet I wonder what percent of services are provided for free to the taxpayers? What is the return on our investment? Seems that my property taxes are subsidizing the expensive Center for Health and Fitness (CHF) and Adventureplex operations which are duplications of the very same services offered throughout the South Bay.

CHF services including the Silver Sneaker program, which is funded through Medicare, are paid for by seniors in addition to property taxes. I guess if you’re not a senior, you can pay $588 per year to use CHF facilities.

Tom goes on to state that during the COVID-19 suspension of operations, many employees were reassigned to provide related services such as vaccines, testing, etc. When I called the BCHD for assistance regarding COVID-related information, the answer I got was they had no clue–call the county. Another duplication of tax-funded non-services. If all I needed to do was call the county, why might I need BCHD?

Redevelop the campus in a way that meets the South Bay’s health needs? Seems to me BCHD has morphed into a private corporation subsided by tax money that provides duplicate, pay-as-you-go services. I wonder if the local health clubs get a 33% property tax subsidy?

A good portion of those reading this may remember how BCHD and South Bay Hospital came about. It seems the South Bay Hospital was declared a hazard and forced to close. That was the excuse at the time, not to mention competition for services from Torrance Medical Center and Little Company of Mary. The hospital was declared unsafe for patients to stay in overnight. However, the building was considered safe for seniors in high-end assisted-living apartments.

Now the private/ public BCHD wants to have property taxes subsidize redevelopment into more apartments that most South Bay seniors cannot afford. So, who will gain the most from this proposed redevelopment? Apparently BCHD employees and the project developers. The community, not so much. Sounds kind of like the bullet train to me. Keep in mind, every time the California Board of Realtors turns over one of our old homes for a shoebox mansion, BCHD will get their cut of the new property tax bill.

—John Evans, Redondo Beach

Unconditional plan

6/10/21 Easy Reader

Dear ER:

Beach Cities Health District CEO Tom Bakaly asserts that the Healthy Living Campus plan does not require a vote of the people. It will need a CUP (conditional use permit) authorized by the Planning Commission and the City Council. So, yes it will get a vote of the people since the commission and council are made up of people acting as the public’s designees in such matters. They will vote yes or no to approve a CUP. In layman’s terms, this means RCFEs (Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly) are not allowed on public zoned land. So, if you want it there, an exception from these two groups must be approved for the project to move forward. Bakaly implies that since Silverado Memory Care received a CUP, then the HLC plan should also. Yet, the plan on the table is no Silverado. It’s a monstrous, for-profit private entity (though claimed to be a “public-private” partnership). It’s presented as necessary in a city with senior housing options in every direction. It’s the antithesis to what should be granted an exception on a publicly-zoned area, in the middle of a quiet residential neighborhood. The Planning Commission and City Council of Redondo Beach need to be reminded that their review is critical to this project and they need to hear from residents. They should recognize that the spirit of this public zone allows for open space and recreational facilities, period. This fact is especially critical since Redondo Beach suffers a density crisis as it is, and faces more with the possibility of state density bills passing in the future. Our city planning commission and city council have the control and should easily see that a privately run, massive and unnecessary structure in a public zone warrants a sound denial for a CUP.

Lara Duke

Redondo Beach

Zoning for BCHD project

T

Beach Reporter - 5-13-21

The Beach Cities Health District wants to build their huge and expensive assisted living plan without allowing the residents of Redondo Beach to vote on the zoning change for its current site. The district went to the City of Redondo Beach and asked to have it changed.

I oppose the proposed inclusion of assisted living [RCFE - Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly], in the definition of a public land use. RCFE, especially those that charge market rents like $12,000+ per month, must be required to obtain Conditional Use Permits. The public has a right to review and protect itself from commercial uses on our scarce public land.

Please reject the consultant or staff changes to the General Plan Advisory Committee recommendations and continue to require any RCFE on public land to have a Conditional Use Permit. The Staff of Redondo Beach has brought this issue to the council for a vote. I think the citizens of Redondo Beach should be able to decide on this change. Do not allow this expensive, unnecessary, overbloated project to proceed. Redondo Beach ultimately will pay the majority of monies for this project that it cannot afford.

I am a senior and want the BCHD to continue with the wonderful programs that allow individuals to stay in their own homes, and health and wellness programs that help all communities in association with Social Security and other federal programs. Please, Redondo Beach City councilmembers, defer to the people.

—Melanie Cohen, Redondo Beach