Land Use, Open Space, Recreation & Conservation

Issues and Goals of the Cities in the

Dominguez Watershed

August 14, 2002DWAC Monthly Meeting

Carson• Land use

– Allow each land use sufficient area to develop to fullest extent indicated by the economy and general welfare

– Separate non-conforming uses

• Open Space/Recreation– Protect open areas– No links exist between open space areas– Clean up vacant land and blighted areas– Promote landscaping along Dominguez Channel– Provide additional parks especially in areas with greatest

need.

• Conservation– Regulate development to control loads on treatment

facilities

El Segundo• Land use

– 103 acres of vacant land in non-residential areas– Encourage shift from manufacturing and heavy industry to

commercial.

• Open Space/Recreation– Mostly commercial and industrial area in watershed.– Increase quantity of plant material to increase water

percolation– Private owned recreational facilities in commercial areas

• Conservation– Protect groundwater from contamination– Minimize surface run-off and allow replenishment of soil

moisture

Gardena• Land use

– Mixed land uses and minimal buffer areas– No community identity– Promote a pedestrian oriented environment and balanced

development

• Open Space/Recreation– Minimal landscaping and parkway trees– Reestablish and preserve City’s agrarian history– Gardena Willows– Establish small community centers and large parks– Acquire land for parks and recreational open space.

• Conservation– Maintain an independent source of water

Hawthorne• Land use

– Stimulate, attract and enhance commercial development– Conserve water and utilize reclaimed water where feasible– Promote conservation, recycling and public education.

• Open Space/Recreation– Undeveloped land in the southwest corner of the city which

is currently owned by Caltrans and Southern California Edison.

– Develop and maintain recreational parks and open spaces– Provide recreational variety

• Conservation– Potential to recharge Gage Aquifer in West Basin– Use reclaimed water where feasible.

Harbor Gateway (LA)• Land use

– Designated as a center for commerce and industry.– Cumulative effects of development exceed infrastructure

capacities.– Lack of transitions in landuse

• Open Space/Recreation– Lack open space and recreational areas– Propose bikeways along power line, flood control and

vacated railroad rights of way– Utilize deeded lots, fragments of public land and unneeded

street areas for use as open space

Inglewood• Land use

– All city parks utilize recycled water– Potential for additional oil extraction sites– No distinct physical or social make-up.

• Open Space/Recreation– Potential for open space where faults traverse unbuilt land– Deficient of open space and recreational areas– Constructing additional parks will entail removing residences

or other developed land

• Conservation– Reduce water demand and utilize reclaimed water– Promote conservation, protection and effective use of natural

resources through local and cooperative efforts.

Lawndale• Land use

– “a city of renters”– Abandoned but not depleted oil field– Develop a system to utilize storm water for landscaping

needs

• Open Space/Recreation– 9.1 acres of vacant, privately owned land– Pursue and acquire additional parkland.– Pursue discussions with railroad companies to acquire right

of way for linear parks– Develop a trail plan

• Conservation– Protect limited groundwater supply– Conserve domestic water

Lomita• Land use

– Promote more efficient use of underutilized properties

• Open Space/Recreation– Expand recreational open space.– Sensitive habitat located near City Hall (spadefoot toad) – Palos Verdes blue butterfly located at US Navy fuel depot– Improve and increase size, acreage and accessibility of

local parks

• Conservation– 1360 ft unused groundwater allotment awaiting treatment

facility– Preserve resources and amenities that enhance City’s

living and working environment– Conservation of natural resources

Los Angeles• Land use

– Reduction and loss of fisheries due to human activities and contamination

– Reduce the amount of waste released to water– Damage to the ecology of bays has a direct effort on the

environment and economy of the city– DDT deposits in Consolidated Slip– Encourage cleanup and development of brown fields

• Open Space/Recreation– Endangered California least tern nests in Harbor area.– Protect and promote restoration of native species and

habitats– Protect and restore Ocean fisheries– Link existing parklands

Manhattan Beach• Land use

– Residents do not want an increase in density.– Area in watershed contains a mall, hotels, office space,

aerospace industry and residential

• Open Space/Recreation– Required landscaping and setbacks– Maintain open space for flood control.– Provide parks at 5 acres / 1000 residents

• Conservation– Promote water conservation using drought resistant/native

plants and recycled water

Palos Verdes Estates• Land use

– Low density land use– Emphasize natural beauty of hills and canyons and

diminish impact of man-made things

• Open Space/Recreation– Reserve undeveloped parklands for passive recreation

• Conservation– Participate in water management programs for water

conservation and flood control– Required sewers– Encourage proper planting of parkland areas to improve

habitation for wildlife.– Conserve the natural canyons and hillsides for drainage

control.

Rancho Palos Verdes• Land use

– Low density land use and large open space areas– Unusual topography, high landslide potential

• Open Space/Recreation– Any re-development requires planting native vegetation– Preserve natural drainage courses– Existing and adopted bike plan has not been implemented– Equestrian

• Conservation– Encourage use of alternate water sources– Cooperate regionally in water management– Encourage investigation of controlling pollution in runoff

Redondo Beach• Land use– Long standing “nuisance” water from domestic uses along

streets in certain areas.– High permeability of soil– Provide land uses that attract are regionally attractive and

contribute revenue to the City.

• Open Space/Recreation– Insufficient space for bike trails– Decreasing areas of private open space– Hopkins Wilderness Park located in watershed

• Conservation– West Coast salt water intrusion barrier– Encourage water conservation practices– Examine feasibility of utilizing alternative means of water

resources and production for use (de-sal)

Rolling Hills• Land use

– Minimal land available for development– Rural residential character– Accommodate development that is sensitive to the natural

environment– Potential leaking septic systems during rain– No flooding concerns

• Open Space/Recreation– Residences landscaped with non-native vegetation– Preserve open space and native character– Maintain and improve hiking and riding trails.

• Conservation– Conserve and enhance natural resources.– Low permeability soils

Rolling Hills Estates• Land use

– City is almost completely developed– Low density residential character– Potential for re-development of Chandler Quarry, Northop

and former landfills– 15% of city on septic tanks

• Open Space/Recreation– Open spaces consist of steep slopes and serve as natural

drainage courses and plant/animal habitats– Privately owned and undeveloped open space– Abundance of parks and open space

• Conservation– Conserve natural resources and maintain balanced ecology

San Pedro (LA)• Land use

– Maintain low density character of single family areas– Two current community redevelopment agencies

• Open Space/Recreation– Lack of usable open space in multiple family residential

projects– More public recreational water access is needed, e.g. a

second boat launch– Provide recreational facilities along public right of way, I.e.

flood control facilities and utility easements.

• Conservation– Protect, enhance and restore the overall quality of the

Coastal Zone environment and its natural and man-made resources.

Torrance• Land use

– “Balanced city”– Preserve areas of historic and cultural significance.

• Open Space/Recreation– Preserve wildlife habitat areas.– Tree coverage throughout city.– Preserve open space and provide adequate space for

recreation.– Acquire lands for parks– Acquire Railroad ROW for trails

• Conservation– Encourage use of alternate water sources and water

conservation– Water desalinization plant treating brackish groundwater

Wilmington (LA)• Land use

– Preserve and enhance the varied and distinct uses (residential, commercial, industrial)

– Long-standing desire to have a marine-oriented commercial area develop at the foot of Avalon Blvd (near Bannings Landing)

– Lack of transition areas between landuses.

• Open Space/Recreation– Open space and recreational amenities of the community

are concentrated in Harbor Park and Banning Park. – Need for more neighborhood parks– Preserve unique wildlife habitats and ecologically important

areas within parks and recreation areas in a natural state, for the protection of plant and animal species, and for public enjoyment, health and safety.