Long Beach to host community meeting on city’s zoning laws

Long Beach officials want public feedback on revised zoning regulations aimed at developing more housing and “a greater mix of uses” in commercial areas.

A virtual community meeting is scheduled for April 11 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., according to an announcement by the city. The public comment period for the Zone In: City Core project is open through April 22.

Officials said the virtual meeting is a chance for the public to learn about the rezoning proposal and share thoughts, questions and concerns. For more than two years the Community Development Department has developed a set of draft regulations that are now available for public review, along with an online map. 

“The department has created an interactive draft rezoning map that enables users to view the draft zones with a description of each zoning district that will be applied to every property in the project area and look up specific addresses,” department spokesman Richard De La Torre said. “Given the draft zones are now out for public review before the move forward through the adoption process, this is an important step in the process.”

Zone In: City Core was previously known as the Anaheim Corridor Zoning Implementation Plan, Long Beach officials said. The project’s area boundaries are Pacific Coast Highway, 10th Street, Magnolia Avenue and Ximeno Avenue.

Officials expect this zoning update will lead to a more pedestrian-focused community where “residents, businesses, jobs and shopping are located near each other.” The proposed zoning changes could add to the area more than 3,000 market-rate and affordable housing units.

“We hope to hear any additional feedback on the draft zoning regulations, answer questions, hear concerns and ensure people have clarity on how the adoption works after the comment period closes on April 22,” De La Torre said of the upcoming Zoom meeting. “Subsequent to the end of the review period, staff will begin preparing the reports to hold a public hearing at the Planning Commission on the draft zones and rezoning proposal likely in June, followed by an adoption hearing at City Council in the summer or early fall.”

Meeting attendees can join online or by phone, 213-338-8466, with the meeting ID 994 5666 5878. Officials encouraged attendees to RSVP. Interpretation will be available in Spanish and Khmer, and other languages by request using the online RSVP form.

Members of the public can email comments no later than April 22 to Felice.Anaya@longbeach.gov with the subject line “City Core Public Input.”

For information about the project and other rezoning efforts in Long Beach, visit the Zone In webpage.

More from Long Beach