Zone in

Dear ER:

I once asked a Beach Cities Health District representative why not build the proposed Healthy Living Campus in an area zoned for it. He said, “Well, we own this property.” I got the feeling he didn’t know that where they want to build is on eleven acres zoned for public community facilities. It’s one of just a handful like it in Redondo Beach and allows only two things without special consideration from the city — recreational facilities and open space. Even the conditional allowances are community-oriented, such as libraries, government offices, or arts centers. Great options fitting with the zoning could be a community garden, a dedicated amphitheater for outdoor plays or concerts (which could be a great money generator), or a public pool. This area is on a bluff, and could provide open, sweeping views usable by all in our open space-deprived city. Our city’s founders took the time to carefully zone our city. They recognized the need for a variety of zones. Though Residential Care Facility is one of the conditional uses on this zone, the Healthy Living Campus would be for the monied, not the general public. The property is in Redondo, but borders Torrance, so their planning and council people should be aware of it, too. Redondo city reps will be required to weigh in on this plan, and they need to hear from us why they must not approve it.

Lara Duke

Redondo Beach

Mission assaulted

Dear ER:

The fact that Beach Cities Health District will be in the red is not a reason for them to assault the local neighborhoods with 10 to 15 years of construction for their Healthy Living Campus. Nearby property values will fall, homes will become harder to sell, and commute times will rise. Asthma, heart disease and stroke will all increase from the construction particulates. The constant noise, heavy truck traffic, sirens, and vibration will cause chronic stress, which Bluezones.com calls the “silent killer,” shortening the lives all around BCHD, including an entire generation of school children. If BCHD is so ready to sacrifice the local neighborhoods, then they need to reconsider their mission.

Mark Nelson

Redondo Beach

Taxes for BCHD

Beach Reporter 2/22/20

We pay $3.8 million in annual property taxes to BCHD, while BCHD takes another $8.7 million annually from the “trust fund” we gave them in the form of the South Bay Hospital District’s assets of the campus, the hospital building and business, and bond proceeds. BCHD also charges $2.8 million a year for programs (like gym memberships). All together, that means for every $1 in property taxes that we give BCHD, they add $2.29 in “trust fund” proceeds and charge 74 cents for programs. BCHD has a total of $4.03 to spend per dollar of property taxes we pay. BCHD has a propaganda line that goes, "… for every $1 in property tax we take from you, we give you back $3.48 in services." OK, but you take $4.03 in revenue per $1 in property tax. Where’s the other 55 cents? Data shows that BCHD pays 47 cents per $1 of property taxes they collect from us to [its] top ten paid employees, according to Transparent California. That goes a long way to closing the gap of what happens to our property taxes paid to BCHD. We cannot let BCHD build a 430-unit senior apartment complex that’s sized for 80% tenants from outside the three beach cities. We cannot suffer the environmental injustice of 15 years of construction chronic stress (Bluezones.com’s silent killer) and 50+ years of operation. Should we take away their trust fund and stop property taxes until they listen? —Mark Nelson, Redondo Beach