By Emily Koncki
Staff Writer
In January 2015, the Manhattan Beach community started working to construct a Specific Plan, which consists of ideas for what they want their downtown area to look like in the next 10-20 years.
Many ideas were added to the Specific Plan by both council and community members. According to the city of Manhattan Beach, all of the ideas include changes to Downtown Manhattan Beach, some subtle and others more obvious.
“The most important aspect of our Specific Plan is zoning changes that have retail and restaurant uses on the first floor with offices on the second floor,” Manhattan Beach mayor Mark Burton said.
Within the next six to ten months, Manhattan Beach city council members will begin to analyze the plan.
“Council along with careful collaboration with stakeholders and groups like the Downtown Business & Partners Association and other major stakeholders, will begin to examine and choose which elements of the plan to explore,” Stroman said. “Obviously, any major capital improvements will cost a lot of money and that will have to be planned for and properly executed.”
In the next six to eight months there will be multiple meetings help to choose which things are priorities for a better downtown area and to finalize the plan.
“The Specific Plan is scheduled to be developed in the next 6 months with several community meetings, Planning Commission meetings and City Council meetings with the CC adopting the Specific Plan,” Burton said.
According to Stroman, a priority for the City Council is maintaining their downtown’s hometown feel, regardless of improvements to the area. Their ultimate goal is to make Downtown a more functional place and still be able to keep the classic charm that it has today, twenty years from now.
“The Specific Plan guarantees implantation so we can protect the character and quality of our Downtown MB while enchaining its appearance and streetscape.” Burton said.
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