By Patrick Lucas
Staff Writer
Gelson’s grocery stores has drawn plans for a brand new grocery store on Sepulveda Boulevard and 8th street in Manhattan Beach and locals were quick to protest it even though the plan has not passed through city planning yet.
Locals in surrounding areas have put up lawn signs to display their opinions about the new Gelson’s. Currently, there are 2 common types of signs. One sign displays a red stop sign, stating “STOP GELSON’S” and another sign that shows support for the new supermarket saying, “We welcome Gelson’s to the community.”
“The city’s planning officials and traffic engineer are currently reviewing Gelson’s development plans to ensure public safety, compliance with zoning laws and mitigation of any potential adverse impacts to the neighborhood. Until this process is concluded, there is no official position by the city as to approval, modification or denial of the proposed Gelson’s project.” Manhattan Beach councilmember Wayne Powell said.
Some common concerns were increased traffic and excessive sound from moving trucks in the morning. Because this is a particularly quiet neighborhood, this much activity would be a shock to surrounding homes.
“Gelson’s will not be beneficial for the location on Sepulveda because it will create more traffic in an already congested area and it will create the potential for more accidents on a stretch of Sepulveda that has already seen 5 deaths in 5 years between 6th and 8th.” STOP Gelson’s activist Leslie Bell said.
It has been said that if a new market is opened in this neighborhood there will be a significant influx of rats. This will an adjustment for a neighborhood that has had no previous exposure to a food retailer.
“Rats are part of nature; we have rats on our property at times. I don’t think a market will increase the rat population,” Hill section resident Ellen Rosenberg said. “I am frequently around the Vons in downtown Manhattan Beach from very early in the morning, midday and at night and have not once seen a rat.”
In the face of progression, people are faced with significant trade offs. There will be a public hearing to discuss these trade offs with all concerned parties.
“The project is still under revision by staff and there won’t be a position or recommendation until the staff report is completed for the public hearing,” Manhattan Beach Assistant Planner Eric Haaland said. “Any comments on the project issues will occur in that report.”
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