By Samantha Sanchez
Staff Writer
The proposed plan to build a Gelson’s Market on Sepulveda and Eighth Street is stirring up more than just the expected excitement. Neighbors of the lot where the Gelson’s is planned to be built are unreasonably protesting this development.
From 2001 to 2015 a car dealership and collision center operated on Sepulveda and 8th Street, but when Paragon Commercial Group acquired the property in 2014, they began the search for another use.
Some residents were worried that constructing Gelson’s would disrupt public health and safety, and they immediately issued a number of concerns. Paragon is conducting a series of studies to ensure that Gelson’s will be a beneficial contribution to the area. Residents are unnecessarily discouraging what could be a valuable contribution the Manhattan Beach community.
According to Paragon, the current driveway on 6th street will be closed and the primary exit and entrance will be on Sepulveda. The driveway on 8th street will remain open because the traffic signal there will improve traffic flow. A certified traffic engineer is working to make sure that the plans for Gelson’s comply with the city’s traffic codes. Manhattan Beach City Council is unlikely to approve anything that will not benefit the community and Paragon wishes to make the proposed Gelson’s as community friendly as possible, making it a seemingly worthwhile addition.
Paragon has incorporated multiple environmentally friendly technologies in their plan. They plan to utilize LED lighting and a “cool roof” that will allow natural light into the building and to beautify the site with drought resistant vegetation and attractive landscaping. Gelson’s sustainability plan will add charm to the Sepulveda rather than build upon its unattractive qualities.
A Facebook group named “Manhattan Beach Neighbors” was created in opposition to the proposed Gelson’s project. The group repeatedly attacks Paragon’s plans despite their pragmatic solutions to every problem that may arise in the process. The “Neighbors’” arguments include increased traffic congestion, insufficient parking, and environmental harm. For every issue the group comes up with, studies are underway to create a solution that will appease both the commercial company and the residents. Paragon is working hard to please the residents by providing fundamental plans, but residents are acting unfairly and attacking the project even though their worries all have solutions.
According to Manhattan Beach Neighbors, they would love the area to be developed, just not in a way that will be detrimental to the safety and environment of our city and surrounding neighbors. A Gelson’s is to be the least detrimental development because the plan includes using the existing building on the property instead of scheduling a complete demolition that would likely occur for the construction of any other business.
According to President of Manhattan Beach Chambers of Commerce, James O’Callaghan, it is his belief that this project will greatly reduce the current shrinkage experienced by the City of Manhattan Beach in the grocery category. Gelson’s market will be nothing but beneficial to the area as it will encourage sustainability, not increase traffic flow, but rather maintain the prevention of neighborhood traffic. Gelson’s should not be stopped, but welcomed to the neighborhood.
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