TITLE
Recommendation to refer to City Planning Commission for recommendation of a zone change for Atlantic Avenue between 56th Street and South Street, and Long Beach Boulevard between 53rd Street and 55th Street to Neighborhood Pedestrian District (CNP) zones.
DISCUSSION
As North Long Beach is undergoing a revitalization, the Redevelopment Agency is focusing in the North Project Area on establishing two pedestrian-oriented village center nodes to develop economically vital retail centers that serve local residents and workers, as well as contributing to a community sense of identity.
These two nodes, known as the North Village Center around the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and South Street, and Virginia Village around the intersection of Long Beach Boulevard and Market Street, are receiving substantial public investment to improve the appearance and uses along these vital corridors.
Rezoning these commercial corridor nodes to Neighborhood Pedestrian Districts (CNP), from the current zoning of Neighborhood Automobile-Oriented (CNA) and Community Automobile-Oriented (CCA) will make the zoning consistent with the identified uses that are currently being developed.
While the Long Beach 2030 process has recently commenced to update the General Plan for the entire city, that process is expected to take approximately two years to complete. These two nodes have already received significant public input and participation as to the desired land use through the development and implementation of the North Long Beach Strategic Guide for Redevelopment.
Initiating the rezoning process for these two nodes at this time is important to further the progress of these pedestrian-oriented retail centers and build upon the investments and strategic planning that have taken place to create these neighborhood economic nodes.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
COUNCILMEMBER RAE GABELICH, EIGHTH DISTRICT