(January 14, 2003) -- LB City Hall wants to use part of the Veterans Stadium Parking Lot (on Clark Ave. north of Conant St.) to accommodate daily parking from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. for airport and/or airline employees, airport car rental storage and valet parking, saying it "is not intended for parking use by the general public."

The proposal (through the Dept. of Planning & Building) seeks roughly 500 parking spaces for what a city staff report calls "short term" use...although a city staff memo accompanying the request for a Conditional Use Permit (allowing the use subject to certain conditions) doesn't specify a fixed end date.

The city staff memo, which LBReport.com posts on a link below along with the proposed use conditions, says that "with five car rental agencies operating at the airport, additional vehicle storage area is necessary at this time. This need may be mitigated or even eliminated with the future completion of an anticipated 4-5 story parking structure." Conditional use permits expire on their own in a year but could be renewed.

The issue is scheduled to be heard by LB's Planning Commission (non-elected, Council approved) on January 16 at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall. Individuals who choose to be heard -- either in person at the hearing or by submitting written testimony in advance of the hearing (fax is accepted) -- have the right to appeal the Planning Commission's decision to the elected City Council. Those who don't take part in the Planning Commission proceedings in person or in writing can't file an appeal and can't be heard later unless someone else who was heard in person or in writing appeals to the City Council.

The city staff memo states in pertinent part:

The city staff memo indicates 175 Notices of Public Hearing were mailed on Dec. 30, 2002 to property owners within 300 feet and the local neighborhood watch group "and the elected representative of the 5th Council District [Councilwoman Jackie Kell] was notified."

Support or opposition to the proposal can be voiced in person or in writing...including by fax. The Planning Commission's fax number is (562) 570-6068. Planning Commission staff asked that testimony in support or opposition be faxed as soon as possible before the hearing...and in no event after the hearing. The hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at LB City Hall (in the Council Chamber), 333 W. Ocean Blvd.

In the public interest, LBReport.com posts the following documents in pdf form below: