INGLEWOOD, Calif. (SBE) – The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) are studying underutilized commercial properties in some South Bay cities to create more housing.
The South Bay COG “is leading a project to identify and reimagine underutilized commercial properties that are strong candidates for new housing to increase housing supply”.
“The study we’re doing is very innovative in terms of the scale,” said Wally Siembab, research director, SBCCOG. “Other cities have conducted studies, but not across an entire subregion. We are looking at many different land-use configurations, sizes and community characteristics. The results will be shared across all South Bay cities, as well as with LA County.”
According to a release posted on its website, the cities participating in the research include Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, El Segundo, Carson, and Hawthorne. Within these cities, two redevelopment priority areas are then identified for study based on sustainable housing criteria. Such criteria ensure that any new housing would be placed in destination- and amenity-rich areas that promote zero-emission travel, such as walking and biking.
The COG was instrumental in helping pass “forever” sales taxes (Measure R) to fund transit programs that some believe both expedite and encourage gentrification. The COG is also responsible for providing oversight on how those funds are spent.
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The COG is also responsible for administering and distributing homeless funding, to its member cities, due to the passage of Measure H in 2017.
Measure H was part of the County’s Homeless Initiative that is expected to rake in $3.5 billion over 10 years, $355 million annually, to address homelessness. The South Bay COG was awarded $1.9 million to split amongst the County and its 16 member cities.
The SBCCOG was founded in 1994 by former Rapid Transit District (RTD) executive Jacki Bacharach, and is a joint powers authority of 16 cities and the County of Los Angeles that share the goal of maximizing the quality of life and productivity of the South Bay region.
The COG’s members are Carson, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lomita, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Torrance, and the Harbor City/San Pedro/Wilmington communities of the City of Los Angeles, along with the unincorporated areas of the County of Los Angeles District 2 and 4.
All of the aforementioned pay annual dues to the COG to seek funding on ways residents can achieve efficiency in home energy programs, business incentives (Cash for Kitchens), and its most lucrative area of expertise is transportation where they spearhead projects to enhance and expand the existing bus and rail lines throughout the region like the Metro Express Lanes conversion of carpool lanes to toll lanes.
To learn more about the South Bay COG’s approach to identifying underutilized commercial property click here.