Developer: Knob Hill Project Going Slower Than Expected

Building a senior living facility at the site of the former Knob Hill Community Center may take longer than previously thought, according to a letter from Fountain Square Development West, which is leasing the site from the Redondo Beach Unified School District.

Because of this, the RBUSD Board of Education unanimously voted Tuesday night to modify FSDW's lease at the developer's request. The amendment to the lease includes an extension of the time FSDW has to obtain necessary financing, entitlements and construction permits from two years to 30 months and a reduction of quarterly lease deposits from $24,000 to $12,500.

"It is in the district's best interest to make sure this deal comes through," school board president Laura Emdee told Patch, explaining that there was no discussion about the amendment among the board members.

In its letter to the school district, FSDW representative Daniel B. Gorham indicated that the developer is unsure whether it can complete the necessary steps to place a rezoning initiative for the site on the November 2014 ballot. Due to a charter amendment enacted by the passage of Measure DD in November 2008, voters must decide whether to convert public land to private use, such as in the case of the property at 302 Knob Hill Avenue.

Gorham wrote that FSDW submitted its preliminary application in February so the city could begin its review process. Formal and revised applications were submitted in June and August, respectively. Two firms responded to the city's request for proposal on the project; however, the project has not appeared on the agenda for the Redondo Beach City Council.

"Once approved, the environmental will take up to (12) months to complete," Gorham wrote. "We have numerous other examples of the slow progress by the planning staff apparently as a result of their heavy work load and low staff levels."

So far, FSDW has invested about $310,000 in the project.