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AGENDA ITEM NO. 12.
CITY OF HAWTHORNE City Council AGENDA BILL For the meeting of 05/26/2026 Originating Department: Planning |
City Manager:
Department Head:
SUBJECT:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HAWTHORNE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE CITY ZONING MAP TO ADD 4457 W. 120TH ST. (APNs: 4044-018-040 AND -041) TO THE HOUSING OVERLAY AND MAKING A FINDING OF EXEMPTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
1. Open public hearing
2. Take public testimony
3. Close public hearing
4. Introduce Ord. No. 2262
2. Take public testimony
3. Close public hearing
4. Introduce Ord. No. 2262
DISCUSSION:
The City of Hawthorne adopted its most recent Housing Element in 2023. This update included a Housing Overlay (HO), which was created to enable the City to meet state and regional requirements to create more opportunities for housing, such as the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). Ordinances 2240 and 2241 were adopted in 2023 by the City Council to add Hawthorne Municipal Code Chapter 17.85, Housing Overlay into the Zoning Code and to update the Zoning Map to include the HO (Attachment 1). The HO includes 31 sites across the City. These sites were selected based upon several criteria, including: vacant lots, declining use, severe blight conditions, and multiple lots under single ownership. As sites within the HO are developed, new sites may be added to the HO to meet RHNA and other state and regional housing requirements.
The property that is being proposed for inclusion into the HO is located along W. 120th St., west of Hawthorne Blvd. (see Attachment 2). It had previously been developed with six multifamily units, but has been vacant for several years. Due to its long-term vacant status, the property deteriorated and is subject to frequent break-ins and acts of vandalism.
The property that is being proposed for inclusion into the HO is located along W. 120th St., west of Hawthorne Blvd. (see Attachment 2). It had previously been developed with six multifamily units, but has been vacant for several years. Due to its long-term vacant status, the property deteriorated and is subject to frequent break-ins and acts of vandalism.
The site is within the Downtown Hawthorne Specific Plan and is designated as Mixed Commercial. This is reflected in the property’s zoning, which is also Mixed Commercial. This zoning permits a mixed-use development, but does not permit a purely residential use. As such, it limits the ability of the property to be developed in a manner consistent with its previous use in a location where commercial uses would be essentially nonviable if not consolidated with adjoining properties.
The site meets the same criteria as the original properties designated as part of the HO. The properties are vacant and is severely blighted and is under a single owner. If the property is added to the HO, any development for a residential use will have to comply with HMC Chapter 17.100, Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards. There is a proposal to demolish the existing structures and to develop seven new units, which is in alignment with the permitted density of the HO.
This change of zone is statutorily exempt from CEQA per Section 21080.085 of the Public Resources Code. This statutory exemption applies to “a rezoning that implements the schedule of actions contained in an approved housing element…” There are exceptions to this statutory exemption for projects involving oil and gas infrastructure or rezoning involving natural and protected lands, neither of which apply to this site. Maintaining the appropriate supply of properties in the HO is a required step in the implementation of the Housing Element; therefore, no further CEQA analysis is required.
The site meets the same criteria as the original properties designated as part of the HO. The properties are vacant and is severely blighted and is under a single owner. If the property is added to the HO, any development for a residential use will have to comply with HMC Chapter 17.100, Multifamily and Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards. There is a proposal to demolish the existing structures and to develop seven new units, which is in alignment with the permitted density of the HO.
This change of zone is statutorily exempt from CEQA per Section 21080.085 of the Public Resources Code. This statutory exemption applies to “a rezoning that implements the schedule of actions contained in an approved housing element…” There are exceptions to this statutory exemption for projects involving oil and gas infrastructure or rezoning involving natural and protected lands, neither of which apply to this site. Maintaining the appropriate supply of properties in the HO is a required step in the implementation of the Housing Element; therefore, no further CEQA analysis is required.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal 4: Update Zoning Code for the 21st century.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No immediate impact. Additional property tax will be generated once the properties are developed and reaccessed.
NOTICING PROCEDURE:
The public hearing notice for this ordinance was published in the April 30, 2026, edition of the Hawthorne Press Tribune. 72 hours posted notice pusraunt to the Ralph M. Brown Act is also provided.