Know Your Ballot In Redondo Beach: Measure RB

REDONDO BEACH, CA — In just under three weeks, Redondo Beach residents will decide whether to approve an update to the City Charter relating to housing developments.

Here is the official language of Measure RB as it appears on the ballot for the Nov. 5 general election:

Shall the measure be adopted (1) amending the Redondo Beach City Charter sections relating to “ Major Changes in Allowable Land Use” in conformity with a Superior Court ruling that the voter approval requirement of the City Charter shall not apply to an amendment to, or update of, the Housing Element of the City’s General Plan, or the zoning changes contemplated by the Draft Housing Element; and (2) changing the requirement that sample ballot materials be “mailed” to “made available”?

On April 22, a Los Angeles County Superior Court ruled that Senate Bill 9, a state housing law that aimed to increase the housing supply by allowing lot splitting, does not apply to charter cities. The ruling stated that the bill violated the authority of charter cities to manage their own municipal affairs.

Petitioners of the bill also argued that SB9 is neither reasonably related nor narrowly tailored to ensure access to affordable housing, as required by the California Constitution. The court concluded that there was no evidence that SB9 would result in increased access to below market-rate housing.

Following the court's decision, Redondo Beach city leaders were inspired to review the City Charter to update the language to prevent future lawsuits. If approved, Measure RB will amend sections relating to "major changes in allowable land use" in order to maintain current zoning regulations in Redondo Beach.

According to Council member Nils Nehrenheim, Measure RB will protect residents' rights to vote on major zoning changes, prevent exploitation of state law by developers, modernizes communication for future ballot measures and safeguards local control.

"Measure RB will protect Redondo Beach from predatory developments trying to exploit little known State laws that can run rough shot over our local zoning. This is vital that we pass this Charter change," Nehrenheim said.

The changes proposed by the measure will be automatically removed in 2035 to account for any potential changes to State law in the future.

Redondo Beach Election News:

• Redondo Beach Election Guide: What’s On The Ballot, What To Know
• Ballot Boxes Open In Redondo Beach: Find Yours
  
• How To Register To Vote In Redondo Beach