VOTE TONIGHT: Proposed BCHD Pool needs your voice
REDONDO BEACH CITY COUNCIL IS VOTING TONIGHT ON SOMETHING THAT WILL AFFECT IF THE PROPOSED BCHD POOL WILL MOVE FORWARD. Please support by emailing Redondo Mayor and City Council members. Instructions below.
HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING: Through Hermosa Pool Initiative's conversations with the Beach Cities Health District, the proposed Sunrise Senior Living Center has agreed to make their originally planned seniors-only pool into a much larger, much more community accessible swimming pool on the BCHD campus. BCHD CEO Tom Bakalay has alerted HPI that they need community support on a vote being taken tonight to move the project forward, and therefore, more forward the plans for a swimming pool in the South Bay — a pool accessible to residents in all three of the Beach Cities who already pay an annual tax to support BCHD.
Getting this pool is important to the three cities because there is the land available and Sunrise will pay to build it. It is a pool that appears to be built at no additional cost to us, and therefore, it's essential that we support it. If you live in Redondo, please submit an E-COMMENT SHOWING YOU SUPPORT IT AND WHY. The detractors are very vocal.
Below is the message from BCHD explaining the vote tonight as well as addressing other concerns:
"We need your support as the Redondo Beach City Council considers the City’s proposed General Plan Update, a critical document that governs how development is managed throughout the city, including standards that apply to public institutions like Beach Cities Health District (BCHD).
BCHD’s current zoning does not include a defined FAR cap, and the proposed General Plan would introduce one for the first time.
An important element of the General Plan is a proposed Floor Area Ratio (FAR) cap for Public/Institutional properties, including BCHD. FAR governs how much density can be built on a given site. In January, following months of public input, the City Council voted unanimously to adopt a 1.25 FAR for the BCHD Campus.
Tomorrow night, at its July 7 meeting, the City Council is expected to discuss the adoption of the Land Use Element and other proposed zoning ordinances, which include the FAR for Public/Institutional properties. A final vote is expected in late July or early August.
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
Please contact the City Council to have them maintain the 1.25 FAR for BCHD’s campus that was approved in January. A 1.25 FAR will provide important flexibility for our campus and our partners to meet the health needs of our community into the future.
After Council approval, FAR changes in the General Plan will need to be approved by voters in November. The Council will discuss election details at the July meetings, including whether to have all FAR changes in the General Plan in one ballot measure or whether to separate issues into multiple ballot questions. BCHD believes that including all FAR updates in one ballot question will ensure the community can consider the full set of proposed changes together rather than in separate, potentially complex measures."
Three Ways to Make Your Voice Heard for the July 7 Council Meeting
Click here to view the Redondo Beach City Council Agenda for July 7.
· Submit an eComment : “SUPPORT” item N2 and submit an eComment through this link.
· Attend the City Council Meeting TONIGHT, July 7 6:00 p.m.
· Location: Council Chambers at 415 Diamond Street, Redondo Beach
· Email the City Council Directly telling them you support a 1.25 FAR for the BCHD Campus and keeping all FAR updates as part of one ballot measure this November. And tell them this is because of the need for a swimming pool:)
· Mayor Jim Light: james.light@redondo.org
· District 1: Council Member Brad Waller: brad.waller@redondo.org
· District 2: Council Member Chadwick Castle: chadwick.castle@redondo.org
· District 3: Council Member Paige Kaluderovic: paige.kaluderovic@redondo.org
· District 4: Council Member Zein Obagi, Jr.: zein.obagi@redondo.org
· District 5: Council Member Scott Behrendt: scott.behrendt@redondo.org
· City Clerk Eleanor Manzano: eleanor.manzano@redondo.org or CityClerk@redondo.org
Setting the Record Straight
We have heard from residents who are linking the Silverado lease situation to the FAR vote. We want to address that directly. BCHD’s decision to move forward with Sunrise Senior Living for the campus redevelopment is a separate issue from the General Plan or the FAR discussion.
BCHD’s selection of Sunrise followed a competitive public process that launched in June 2025. The Sunrise proposal delivered several community amenities, including a pool, a wellness path, and intergenerational indoor and outdoor community commons spaces. It also delivers stronger financial terms to support BCHD’s free community health programs and services.
Silverado was aware of this potential scenario well in advance. Under the existing lease, Silverado received one year’s notice and will vacate by May 29, 2027, and will pay no rent during that period. The Sunrise agreement reflects our campus redevelopment plan. The FAR vote is a city planning and land use matter.