Development & Land Use

Amy T. Howorth supported maintaining momentum for the Downtown Specific Plan implementation in 2015, acknowledging concerns about funding and the ULI report [4]. In 2015, she advocated for community engagement in planning code amendments, emphasizing the need for a public workshop to clarify terms like 'open space' [8]. In 2016, she supported the Planning Commission's recommendations for live-work land use and retail regulations in the Downtown Specific Plan [15]. In 2018, she expressed concerns about the visual impact of taller buildings on Sepulveda Boulevard and advocated for tailored policies for the commercial corridor [22]. In 2023, she supported a consultant for downtown planning but stressed the need for an explicit residential impact analysis [32].

Over time: From 2015 to 2018, Howorth shifted from advocating for general community engagement in planning processes to expressing specific concerns about the visual impact of development on Sepulveda Boulevard [8][22]. By 2023, she continued to support downtown planning but emphasized the need for explicit residential impact analysis, indicating a more detailed focus on development consequences [32].

In 2015, David Lesser opposed a specific plan process due to concerns about problem definition and staff resource allocation [1], and later supported a joint Planning Commission and Council meeting process to define mandates and avoid conflicts [5]. In 2016, he opposed the Downtown Specific Plan Finalization, directing staff to address concerns about conditional use findings [7]. In 2018, he opposed senior housing on Sepulveda, citing risks of creating dead zones [20], but supported height increases for hotel developments to accommodate LAX expansion and economic needs [21]. In 2025, he initially opposed property acquisition at 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard due to budget concerns but later supported it to preserve downtown character [36].

Over time: David Lesser shifted from opposing the Downtown Specific Plan Finalization in 2016 [7] to later supporting property acquisition at 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard in 2025 [36].

Mark Burton supported specific plans for guaranteed implementation in downtown development [15], and later strongly advocated for preserving downtown's residential character and opposing second-floor dining [22]. He opposed the Manhattan Village Mall Phase One approval without guarantees for future phases [12], but later supported the mall renovation for its community benefits and transparency [21]. Burton also opposed the Pulver Bridge Widening Project due to traffic safety concerns and Caltrans responsibility [24].

Over time: Burton shifted from opposing the Manhattan Village Mall Phase One approval without guarantees [12] to supporting the mall renovation for its community benefits [21].

In 2021, they expressed concerns about traffic impacts and the need for community engagement regarding the Airfield and Terminal Modernization Project [8]. They also urged collaboration with neighboring cities to address regional issues stemming from LAX expansion, such as traffic, noise, and pollution [7].