City of Gardena
GENERAL PLAN 2020
DRAFT Technical Background Report
Prepared for
City of Gardena
Prepared by
USC Center for Economic Development
School of Policy, Planning, and Development
University of Southern California
City of Gardena General Plan
City Council
• Terrence " Terry" S. Terauchi, Mayor
• Steven C. Bradford, Mayor Pro Tem
• Ronald Ikejiri, Councilman
• Grant J. Nakaoka, Councilman
• Paul K. Tanaka, Councilman
City Planning Commission
• George Inouye, Chairman
• Bertrum M. CeDillos, Vice Chairman
• Paulette C. Francis, Commissioner
• Alan Mimaki, Commissioner
• Robert Spates, Commissioner
City Staff
Mitchell G. Lansdell, City Manager
Kathy Ikari, Community Development Director
Jack Messerlian, Planning Administrator
Dennis Banks, Planning Assistant
Other City Staff:
D. Christine Hach, Administrator of Services Director/ Asst. City Manager
Bernie Paine, Public Works Director
Yvonne Mallory, Economic Development Manager
Michael Skogh, Chief of Police
Tom Monson, Captain Police Department
John Alkema, Asst Fire Chief
Kelly Fujio, Recreation Services Manager/ Human Services Manager
Whitman Ballenger, Transportation Director
1
Table of Contents
Gardena General Plan Technical Background Report
Land Use Element Page 2
Circulation and Infrastructure Element Page 24
Safety Element Page 46
Open Space and Conservation Element Page 53
Economic Development Element Page 72
Appendices Page 86
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 2
SCHOOL OF POLICY, PLANNING, AND DEVELOPMENT
City of Gardena
LAND USE
Technical Background Report
Technical Background Report
Land Use
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1 Introduction
The Land Use portion of the Technical Background Report provides a thorough explanation of
existing characteristics and conditions in the City of Gardena as they pertain to Land Use. The
background information included in this report is the basis or for the Land Use Element of the
General Plan.
The Land Use Element of the General Plan will designate the “ proposed general distribution and
general location and extent of the uses of the land” for all categories of public and private uses of
land in the City of Gardena, as mandated by Section 65302( a) of the Government Code. In
conformance with the Government Code Section 65302( a), the General Plan Land Use
designations also include standards of population density and building intensity recommended
for the various districts and other territory covered by the plan.
The purpose of the Land Use Element, consistent with state law and guidelines, is to improve the
use of the land and the relationships between uses in the best interest of the health, safety,
welfare and convenience of the general public. The Land Use Element fulfills a central,
coordinating role in the General Plan as it correlates all land use issues into a coherent set of
development policies. It is, therefore, the foundation of the General Plan.
2 Setting and Existing Conditions
To understand existing Land Use in the City, the demographic, socioeconomic, and housing
characteristics need to be identified and analyzed.
Demographic attributes determine the market demand for each type of land use, including single
and multi- family residential, retail, office, industrial, entertainment and recreational uses. For
example, changing demographic characteristics of a city influence the demand for quantity, type,
size and affordability levels of housing. Demographic components such as population trends,
age, sex, race, income, employment, and household factors illustrate the differing needs of
Gardena City residents. This section provides data and analysis of current demographic
conditions in the City, offering insight to the evolving needs of the Gardena Community.
2.1 Population Trends
It should be noted that unfortunately this does not reflected changes in the current demographic
attributes that are the result of the 211 market rate housing units that became occupied after the
2000 census. The City of Gardena has a population of 57,746 living within 5.95 square miles.
Gardena has experienced moderate, steady population growth over the past 30 years. In both the
1970s and 1980s the total population increased 10% per decade, while a 16% rate of population
increase was experienced in the 1990s. The population has increased a total of 41% since 1970,
above Los Angeles County’s growth of 35%. A portion of Gardena’s population increase is a
result of its changing boundaries. The physical boundaries of the City of Gardena have
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expanded since 1975 as a result of annexations of the Rosecrans Corridor and West Gardena.
These two annexations added approximately 4,000 residents to the City. Even when discounting
the population effects of these two physical land additions, the City has still increased by over
12,000 residents ( 20%) since 1970.
In comparison, Gardena’s population is smaller than that of neighbors Torrance ( 137,946),
Carson ( 89,730), and Hawthorne ( 84,112) ( Figure LU- 1). However, its growth rate has exceeded
that of Carson and Torrance while lagging behind the population surge of Hawthorne ( Table LU-
1).
Figure LU- 1: Population Change ( 1970- 2000)
Sources: 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 Census
2.2 Age
Age is directly related to the specific types of land uses demanded by citizens. For instance, age
groups more likely to have children require housing with more rooms than do the elderly.
Gardena’s population has slowly been aging, reflected by the City’s median age, which has
increased from 31 in 1980, to 33 in 1990, to 34 in 2000. The percentage of persons over the age
Table LU- 1: Population Trends, 1970- 2000
Population Percent Change
Jurisdiction 1970 1980 1990 2000 1970- 2000 1980- 1990 1990- 2000
Gardena 41,090 45,165 49,847 57,746 40.5 10.4 15.8
Carson 71,626 81,221 83,995 89,730 25.3 3.4 6.8
Hawthorne 53,221 56,447 71,349 84,112 58.0 26.4 17.9
Torrance 134,507 129,881 133,107 137,946 2.6 2.5 3.6
LA County 7,036,463 7,477,503 8,863,164 9,519,338 35.3 18.5 7.4
Sources: 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 Census
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of 64 is 12.4 in 2000, up from 9.4 in 1980. The population 15 to 24 years of age has declined by
more than 5% over the same time period.
Figure LU- 2: Age Distribution ( 1980- 2000)
Sources: 1980, 1990, 2000 Census
2.3 Race and Ethnic Composition
Gardena’s diversity distinguishes it from other Southern California cities. In 2000, Latino’s
made up the largest share of the population ( 33%), followed by Asian and Pacific Islanders
( 28%), Non- Hispanic African- American ( 26%), and Non- Hispanic Whites ( 13%). Gardena’s
racial composition has been remarkably stable over time, while many cities have transitioned
from a majority of one racial group to another. In 2000, Gardena is one of only 9 cities with a
four- way ethnic split ( each of the 4 ethnic groups over 10% of the population). The other cities
in the five- county Southern California area where each of the four major racial and ethnic groups
( Non- Hispanic White, Non- Hispanic Black, Asian and Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic) comprise
at least 10% of its total population are Bellflower, Carson, Culver City, Gardena, Lawndale,
Long Beach, Los Angeles, Pasadena, and Signal Hill. Of those nine cities, along with nearby
neighbor Carson, Gardena is the only to have maintained this balance since 1980. Although, each
group has maintained at least 10% of the populace from 1980 to 2000, the one major
demographic shift has been from Non- Hispanic White to Latino. The Non- Hispanic White share
has dropped from 31% to 13%, while the Latino share has increased from 17% to 32% of the
population. This last trend may have implications for housing and land- use within the City of
Gardena. This is because the average household size for Whites is lower than that of Latinos.
1990 Census numbers from Gardena show that White households are nearly one- half ( 1.97
persons per owner occupied unit, and 1.95 per renter occupied unit) the size of Hispanic
households ( 3.64 and 3.87, respectively). Latino’s may need more rooms per unit to avoid
overcrowding conditions.
0 %
2 0%
4 0%
6 0%
8 0%
1 0 0 %
1 9 8 0 1 9 9 0 2 0 0 0
6 5 +
4 5 to 6 4
2 5 to 4 4
2 0 to 2 4
1 5 to 1 9
5 to 1 4
U n d e r 5
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Source: Racially Balanced Cities in Southern California, 1980- 2000, Myers & Park
Paralleling the change in ethnic composition is the increase in the percentage of the population
that is foreign born. In 1970, 12% of Gardena’s population was born outside of the US,
compared to 29% in 1990. While 2000 data are not yet available, based upon the continued
increase in Latino residents, the current percentage that are foreign born could be even higher.
2.4 Employment
Between 1980 and 1990, the employment rate within the City of Gardena increased from 4.2% to
5.9%. The increased unemployment rate is closely related to the increase in population in that the
employment rate increases steadily as the City’s population increases. According to the
Southern California Association of Governments ( SCAG) estimates for 1990, there were
approximately 32,000 jobs within the City of Gardena. The majority of the Gardena population is
employed in managerial/ professional jobs. In 1980, 19.0% of the City’s population held
positions within this employment sector. The percentage increased between 1980 and 1990 with
22.2% of the total population earning a living within a managerial/ professional job. The increase
in population in addition to the increase in the number of residents possessing higher degrees
may have impacted the number of residents with managerial/ professional jobs.
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
1980 1990 2000
H ispanic
Asian P I
NH B lack
NH W hite
Figure LU- 3: Ethnic and Racial Composition ( 1980- 2000)
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Table LU- 2: Occupation of Residents, 1980 and 1990
Occupation Employed1 980% of Total Employed1 990% of Total
Managerial/ Professional 4,587 19.0% 5,694 22.2%
Sales, Tech, Admin Support 8,493 35.3% 9,599 37.5%
Service Occupations 3,024 12.6% 3,024 11.8%
Farming, Forestry, Fishing 341 1.4% 281 1.1%
Precision Production/ Craft/ Repair 3,205 13.3% 3,234 12.6%
Operators/ Fabricators/ Laborers 4,435 18.4% 3,777 14.7%
Total 24,085 100.0% 25,609 100.0%
Sources: U. S. Census Bureau 1980 and 1990
Gardena’s major employers in 1990 were retail businesses 56%, manufacturing 20%, service
10%, wholesale 9%, transportation and construction related businesses 5%.
Figure LU- 4: Major City Employers
2.5 Educational Attainment
In 1990, high school graduates comprised the largest portion of the population. This is also true
of the educational attainment rates for 1980. In 1980 10,162 persons were high school graduates.
6,024 had some college education or earned their associate degree, 3,760 individuals were
College graduates or recipients of advanced degrees.
20%
10%
9% 5%
56%
Retail Businesses
Manufacturing
Service
Wholesale
Transportation and
Construction Related
Businesses
Source: U. S. Census Bureau, 1990
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In 1990, 9,039 Gardena residents were high school graduates, 6,960 had some college education
but no degree and 3017 received an associate degree, 4,271 received their college degrees and
1233 received a graduate or professional degree.
Overall the numbers for each educational category increased between 1980 and 1990, as shown
in Table LU- 3. The population growth within the City may have had an impact upon the increase
in educational attainment rates.
Table LU- 3: Educational Attainment, Persons 25 and Older
1980 1990
No. Percent of Total No. Percent of Total
Less than 9th Grade 3,975 14.2% 3,385 10.1%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma 3,995 14.3% 5,519 16.5%
High School Graduate 10,162 36.4% 9,039 27.0%
Some College/ Associate Degree 6,024 21.6% 9,977 29.8%
College or Advanced Degree 3,760 13.5% 5,504 16.5%
Total 27,916 100.0% 33,424 100.0%
Source: U. S. Census Bureau 1980 and 1990
2.6 Household Characteristics
According to the U. S. Census statistics, a household is defined as all persons including single
persons, families, or unrelated persons sharing living quarters occupying a housing unit.
Household characteristics in the community need to be identified, in order to understand the
housing trends and future needs and trends in the City of Gardena. Household characteristics
that impact the type of housing needed in the community are household type, tenure, size, and
income levels.
Nearly 70 percent of the 20,324 households in Gardena are family households, whereas single
person households comprise 26 percent of the total households in the City. The figure below
identifies families as being the largest household occupant type in Gardena. The percentage of
family households in the City has been increasing over time, which demonstrates the need for the
availability of family housing in Gardena. The total of family households in 1980 was 11,492,
which increased to 14,031 in 2000.
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Figure LU- 5: Household Composition ( 2000)
Source: U. S. Census Bureau, 2000
2.7 Household Size
According to the 2000 U. S. Census data, the average household size in Gardena is 2.8 persons
per household. Since 1980, the City’s average household size has increased from 2.65 persons
per household and 2.7 persons per household in 1990. In comparison to surrounding
jurisdictions, the City of Gardena has a smaller household ratio than Carson and Hawthorne, as
illustrated in Table LU- 5.
Table LU- 4: Average Household Size 2000
Gardena 2.80
Carson 3.59
Hawthorne 2.93
Torrance 2.51
Los Angeles County 2.98
Source: U. S. Bureau of Census, 2000
The household size in the City differs slightly between owners and renters. The 2000 Census
data reports 2.85 persons per household in owned dwellings, while there are 2.76 persons per
household in rented dwellings.
Table LU- 5: Household Size by Tenure
Owner 2.85
Renter 2.76
Source: U. S. Bureau of Census, 2000.
Households that are rented tend to have fewer persons per household than owned housing.
According to Census 2000, the total number of owner occupied housing units in the City is 47.3
percent compared to renter occupied housing units at 52.7 percent. In addition, the homeowner
vacancy rate in the City is 1.2%, whereas the renter vacancy rate is 3.3%.
Family
Households
68%
Single
Person
26%
Other
6%
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2.8 Household Income
The 1990 Census data is used for this particular section, because the 2000 Census data for
household income in Gardena is not currently accessible. Figure LU- 6 shows the comparison of
median household income in Gardena and median household income in surrounding
jurisdictions.
Figure LU- 6: Median Household Income
Source: U. S. Bureau of Census, 1990
The Southern California Association of Governments ( SCAG) created five income categories by
grouping households based on the Median Family Income ( MFI), to provide for the analysis of
income data. The five income categories are as follows:
• Extremely Low: 30% or less of MFI
• Very Low: 30 – 50% of MFI
• Low: 50 – 80% of MFI
• Moderate: 80 – 95% of MFI
• Above Moderate: more than 95% of MFI
1990 Census data revealed that 45 percent of Gardena households fell below 80 percent of the
County median and were therefore identified as low- income. This percentage indicates a need
for the continuation of affordable housing programs in the City.
It is apparent that the household income varies by household type. The 1990 Census reports that
the Median Family Income in Gardena is $ 37,000, which is higher than the Median Household
Income of $ 33,000. Senior households earn less than $ 25,000, categorizing them as low to very
low- income households.
47,204 43,882
30,967
33,063
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
Gardena Hawthorne Torrance Carson
Jurisdiction
Median Income ($)
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2.9 Housing Vacancy
Within the City of Gardena, the vacancy rates in 1980 and 1990 increased by 52%. The vacancy
rates between 1990 and 2000 decreased by 21%. The decrease in vacancy rates may be
attributable to the population influx between 1990 and 2000.
Due to the recession in the early 1990’ s, the City’s vacancy rates increased from 596 to 911, an
overall percentage increase of 52%. The recent market recovery is relative to the lowered
vacancy rates seen between the years 1990- 2000 where the vacancy rate was 911 in 1990 and
717 in 2000. This reflects an overall decrease by 21%.
Table LU- 6: Housing Vacancy Rates by Tenure, 2000
City Owner Renter
Gardena 1.2 3.3
Carson 1.1 2.6
Hawthorne 1.4 3.3
Torrance 1 2.4
Los Angeles County 1.6 3.3
Source: U. S. Bureau of Census, 2000
2.1 Building Permits
Table LU- 8 shows the number of building permits ( for residential, commercial and industrial
construction projects only) issued between January 1980 and May 2001. According to the table,
the overall number of permits issued between the period of 1990 and 1999 was less than half the
amount of permits issued between the period of 1980 and 1989. This lowered amount may be
attributable to the shortage of vacant land available within the city of Gardena. It may also be
correlated to the economic recession that occurred during the early 1990’ s where the demand for
new structures was low.
Table LU- 7: Building Permits
Year( s) No. of Permits Issued
January 1980- December 1989 580
January 1990- December 1999 201
January 2000- May 2001 29
Source: Gardena City Planning Department
3 Existing Land Uses
A Land Use survey was complete and described the section 3.2.1 by the School of Policy,
Planning and Development. At the completion of the survey, complete graphic and text
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description of current land allocation in the City of Gardena will be included in the Technical
Background Report.
3.1 Description of City Boundaries
The City of Gardena encompasses approximately 5.95 square miles ( 3,808 acres) and is bounded
by El Segundo Boulevard on the north and Vermont Avenue to the east. Portions of Crenshaw
Boulevard, Gramercy Place, and Western Avenue form the western boundary, and portions of
182nd Street, Artesia Boulevard, and Redondo Beach Boulevard form the southern boundary of
the City ( please refer to Figure LU- 7).
The City’s current physical size includes three of the four proposed annexation areas set forth in
the City’s 1975 General Plan: the Rosecrans Corridor, the primarily residential area south of
Rosecrans and east of Crenshaw, the corner of Redondo Beach Boulevard and Crenshaw, and a
portion of the Norman Precinct at the corner of Vermont and 182nd Street. These areas of
previously unincorporated Los Angeles County land represent a total of 441 acres. The
remaining portion of the 1975 Plan’s fourth proposed annexation area still remains under the
purview of the Los Angeles City. Figure LU- 7 represents the current physical boundaries of the
City and the areas of land annexed since the l975 City of Gardena General Plan.
The last time the City of Gardena undertook a survey of vacant land was in 1995⎯ see Table
LU- 9 for a summary of that survey.
Source: City of Gardena
Table LU- 8: Overview of Vacant Lots ( 1995)
Address Area ( Acres) Zoning/ General Plan
2010 El Segundo Blvd. 0.63 C- 2/ Highway Commercial
1157 Gardena Blvd. 0.15 C- R/ Commercial Residential
14000 Halldale 1.38 M- 1/ Light Industrial
2101 Rosecrans 4.07 M- 2/ Heavy Industrial
16532 Normandie 0.21 M- 1/ Highway Commercial
15625 Vermont Ave. 0.74 C- P/ Highway Commercial
17923 Vermont Ave. 0.50 C- 3/ Highway Commercial
14800 Western Ave. 1.11 C- 3/ Highway Commercial
15727 Western Ave. 0.22 C- 3/ Highway Commercial
15930 Western Ave. 0.23 C- 3/ Highway Commercial
16710 Western Ave. 0.30 M- 1/ Light Industrial
1435 W. 139th St. 3.51 M- 1/ Light Industrial
Total 12.05
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Figure LU- 7: Existing Land Use Map
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Table LU- 9: Summary of Existing Land Uses
Land Use Category Acres Percent of City Land
Low Residential Density 1109.2 29.1%
Medium Residential Density 499.8 13.1%
High Residential Density 41.0 1.1%
Commercial- Residential 55.0 1.4%
Residential Sub- total 1705.0 44.8%
Neighborhood Commercial 31.8 0.8%
Community Commercial 178.7 4.7%
Highway Commercial 156.0 4.1%
Light Industrial 119.0 3.1%
General Industrial 463.8 12.2%
Residential Business 0.0 0.0%
Public Facilities 193.6 5.1%
( Vacant Lot) ( 71.3) ( 1.9%)
( Roads) ( 888.7) ( 23.3%)
TOTAL 3,808 100.0%
Source: USC Land Use Survey ( 2001)
3.2 Inventory of Land Uses
3.2.1 Land Use Designations
There are currently eleven General Plan land use classifications in the City of Gardena. Table
LU- 10 describes the City’s land use categories. As shown in Table LU- 10, over 40 percent of the
total acreage in Gardena is designated for residential use.
Table LU- 10: Proposed Land Use ( adopted Land Use Policy Map)
Land Use Category Acres Percent of City Land
Low Residential Density 980.3 25.7%
Medium Residential Density 523.2 13.7%
High Residential Density 74.0 1.9%
Commercial- Residential 41.9 1.1%
Residential Sub- total 1,619.4 42.5%
Neighborhood Commercial 0.0 0.0%
Community Commercial 104.7 2.7%
Highway Commercial 264.2 6.9%
Light Industrial 195.7 5.1%
General Industrial 524.9 13.8%
Residential Business 0.0 0.0%
Public Facilities 210.4 5.5%
( Vacant Lot) ( 0.0) ( 0.0%)
( Roads) ( 888.7) ( 23.3%)
Total 3,808 100.0%
Source: City of Gardena
Definitions of the various land use categories are as follows:
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– Low Residential Density: Single- family residences with a density between 4 to 7.8 dwelling
units per acre.
– Medium Residential Density: Single homes, duplexes, and multiple- family residences with a
density between 9 to 27.2 dwelling units per net acre.
– High Residential Density: Primarily multi- family developments with 31 dwelling units or
more net per acre.
– Commercial- Residential: An area of mixed single- family residential and business and
industrial uses of limited size and intensity.
– Neighborhood Commercial: An area where retail and convenience commercial uses are
grouped together and generally serve adjacent and nearby residential neighborhoods.
– Community Commercial: An area where retail uses such as supermarkets and junior
department stores, and administrative and professional offices and convenience commercial
uses are grouped together.
– Highway Commercial: A grouping together of retail and general commercial uses oriented
to the automobile and the traveling public.
– Light Industrial: Light manufacturing, storage warehousing and manufacturing uses that are
relatively quiet and free of dust and odor. Excludes heavy, hazardous and obnoxious
industrial activities.
– General Industrial: Consists of medium to heavy industrial uses, except those uses which are
dangerous and hazardous and cause excessive environmental pollution.
– Residential Business: An area of mixed single- family residential and business and industrial
uses of limited size and intensity.
– Public Facilities: Indicates an area occupied by a variety of public facilities, including
schools, libraries, police and fire stations, hospitals, clinics, and public parks.
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3.3 Zoning Standards, Building Intensity and Population Density
The following section summarizes the zoning categories contained in the Zoning Ordinance of
the City of Gardena. Figure LU- 2 is the current Gardena Zoning Map. A summary is given of
the permitted uses, building intensity and population densities allowable under each zoning
category, where relevant.
3.3.1 Purpose of the Zoning Ordinance
The type, location, density and scale of developments in a city are regulated primarily through a
city’s Zoning Ordinances. Zoning ordinances are designed to protect and promote the health,
safety and welfare of local residents. The Zoning Ordinance of the City of Gardena has the
following specific objectives, as per Section 18.02.020 of the Municipal Code:
– To encourage, classify, designate, regulate, restrict and segregate the highest and best
location and use of buildings and structures for residence, commerce, trade, industry, water
conservation or other purposes in appropriate places;
– To regulate and limit the height, number of stories and size of buildings and other structures;
– To regulate and determine the size of yards and other open spaces;
– To regulate and limit the density of population;
– To provide for adequate off- street parking and loading spaces;
– To encourage the most appropriate use of land;
– To conserve and stabilize the value of property;
– To provide adequate open spaces for light and air;
– To prevent and fight fires;
– To prevent undue concentration of population;
– To lessen congestion on streets;
– To facilitate adequate provisions for community utilities, such as transportation, water,
sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements;
– To promote the public health, safety and general welfare.
Single- Family Residential ( R- 1)
– Purpose and Intent: The R- 1 Single- Family Residential Zone is intended as a low- density
residential district of single- family homes with one dwelling per lot and customary accessory
buildings considered harmonious with low- density residential development.
– Uses Permitted: Besides single- family dwellings, other uses permitted under R- 1 are home
occupations covered by Section 18.56 of the Municipal Code; parks, playgrounds and public
buildings; family day care homes, subject to a permit as per Section 18.56 of the Municipal
Code; and certified mobile homes. Further uses permitted, subject to a conditional use
permit, include public and private schools; churches and related facilities; utility sub- stations;
and one granny unit per primary unit, according to Section 18.04.210 of the Municipal Code.
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Figure LU- 8: Gardena Zoning Map
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– Property Development Standards: The minimum lot size is 5,000 square feet. Density is
limited to one dwelling unit per lot, or 8.7 units per acre. There are no floor to area ratio
prescriptions; however there is a maximum of 50% lot coverage by structures. Maximum
building height is 25 feet.
Low- Density Multiple Family Residential ( R- 2):
– Purpose and Intent: The R- 2 Low- Density Multiple Family Residential zone is intended as a
low- density residential district of single- family detached dwellings, duplexes and triplexes.
– Uses Permitted: All uses permitted in the R- 1 zone are also permitted in the R- 2 zone. In
addition, multiple family units and condominiums and stock cooperative apartments are
allowed. Uses permitted subject to a conditional use permit include all those covered in the
R- 1 zone, except granny units; off- street parking lots, subject to certain provisions contained
in Section 18.14.030 of the Municipal Code; and boarding houses and lodging houses.
– Property Development Standards: The minimum lot size is 5,000 square feet. Density is
limited to one dwelling unit per 2,500 square feet of lot area, or 17.4 units per acre, with a
maximum of three dwelling units per structure. The maximum floor to area ratio is 0.65.
Maximum building height is 30 feet.
Medium- Density/ High- Density Multiple Family Residential ( R- 3/ R- 4):
– Purpose and Intent: The R- 3 and R- 4 Medium and High- Density Multiple Family
Residential zones are intended as medium to high- density residential districts of multiple
family dwellings, such as apartments and condominiums.
– Uses Permitted: Uses permitted include all those covered in the R- 1 and R- 2 zones as well as
community care facilities. Uses permitted subject to a conditional use permit include all those
covered in the R- 1 and R- 2 zones, except granny units, in addition to day care facilities;
group care facilities; and mobile home parks as subject to provisions contained in Section
18.46.030 of the Municipal Code.
– Property Development Standards: The minimum lot size is 5,000 square feet. Density is
limited to one dwelling unit per 1,600 square feet of lot area, or 27.2 units per acre. The
maximum floor to area ratio is 0.65. Maximum building height is 35 feet.
Commercial- Residential ( C- R):
– Purpose and Intent: The C- R zone is intended as a mixed- use zone to permit residential uses
of limited size and intensity to be located on lots occupied by commercial and office
structures. The commercial character of the C- R zones must be maintained by restricting
residential dwelling units above or to the rear of commercial structures.
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– Uses Permitted: C- R zones can accommodate the following uses: offices of a business,
professional and administrative nature; art galleries and studios; limited retail stores and
shops; medical and dental clinics and labs; markets and delicatessens; restaurants and coffee
shops; home appliance sales and repair shops; and academies for music, vocal instruction and
dance. Uses requiring a conditional use permit include single- family dwellings; multiple-family
dwellings; certified mobile home parks; combinations of commercial and residential
uses; amusement arcades; lodges and meeting halls; vocational and trade schools; and
churches. For a more complete list of permitted uses under the C- R zone, consult Section
18.20.020 of the Municipal Code.
– Property Development Standards: The minimum permitted lot size is 7,500 square feet. The
maximum permitted density is 27.2 units per acre. Maximum building height is 45 feet.
Home Business ( H- B):
– Purpose and Intent: The H- B zone is a mixed- use zone intended to permit business and
industrial uses of limited size and intensity to be located on lots occupied by single- family
residential structures. Where there are existing residential structures on a lot, the character of
the Home Business zone must be maintained by restricting non- residential uses to a separate
building or area located to the rear of such structures.
– Uses Permitted: Permitted uses in the H- B zones include single- family dwellings; home
occupations subject to the provisions of Section 18.56 of the Municipal Code; certified
mobile homes occupied for residential purposes only; and family day care homes, subject to
a permit as per Section 18.56 of the Municipal Code. Additional uses subject to a conditional
use permit include plant nurseries; appliance and small equipment repairs, but excluding the
retail sales of repaired storage; building contractor’s offices and related storage yards;
machine shops; retail sales of products produced on the premises; printing, photocopying and
film processing; data processing and research and development laboratories; light
manufacturing, processing or assembly of goods; one granny unit per primary unit, according
to Section 18.04.210 of the Municipal Code; and dog kennels. Dog kennels are restricted to
the area bounded by 178th Street to the north, 182nd street to the south, Denker Avenue to the
east, and the alley between La Salle Avenue and Harvard Boulevard to the west. The
Commission and Council may approve other uses subject to a conditional use permit. For a
more detailed list of permitted uses, consult Section 18.28.030 of the Municipal Code.
– Property Development Standards: The minimum lot size is 5,000 square feet. Density is
limited to one dwelling unit per lot. There are no floor to area ratio prescriptions. Maximum
building height is 35 feet.
Business and Professional Office ( C- P)
– Purpose and Intent: The C- P zone is intended to accommodate integrated office and
professional uses, with limited retail.
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– Uses Permitted: Permitted uses comprise offices of a business, professional and
administrative character; community care facilities; educational facilities; art galleries;
medical and dental clinics and labs; markets and delicatessens; restaurants and coffee shops.
Retail commercial uses are limited to barber and beauty shops; confectionery stores; florists
and gift shops. With a conditional use permit, additional uses are amusement arcades; office
supply stores; public parking lots; lodges and meeting halls; museums; day care facilities;
group care facilities; urgent care centers; health facilities and hospitals; churches and related
facilities; and certified mobile home parks according to Section 18.46.030 of the Municipal
Code. For a more detailed list of permitted uses, consult Section 18.26.020 of the Municipal
Code.
– Property Development Standards: The minimum lot size is 5,000 square feet. The maximum
permissible floor to area ratio is 7: 1. Maximum building height is 35 feet. Building height is
restricted to 35 feet within 100 feet of a R- 1/ R- 2 zone or 45 feet within 100 feet of a R- 3/ R- 4
zone.
Commercial ( C- 2)
– Purpose and Intent: The C- 2 zone is intended for retail commercial uses, community
commercial uses and supporting services.
– Uses Permitted: Permissible uses comprise offices of a business and professional nature;
banks and savings and loans institutions; department stores; retail stores for new merchandise
only; retail confectioners, bakeries and delicatessens; retail services such as shoe repair,
watch repair, tailors and dry- cleaners; markets; adult businesses and massage establishments;
and theaters. For a more detailed list of permitted uses, consult Section 18.30.020 of the
Municipal Code. Uses permitted subject to a conditional use permit are the same as under
the C- P zone.
– Property Development Standards: The minimum lot size is 7,500 square feet. The maximum
permissible floor to area ratio is 7: 1. Maximum building height is 35 feet. Building height is
restricted to 35 feet within 100 feet of a R- 1/ R- 2 zone or 45 feet within 100 feet of a R- 3/ R- 4
zone.
General Commercial ( C- 3)
– Purpose and Intent: The C- 3 General Commercial zone is intended for general retail and
commercial uses.
– Uses Permitted: Permissible uses include all those covered in the C- 2 zone, in addition to
such uses as automobile repair and body shops; automobile sales; bowling alleys;
gymnasiums; legal card clubs; mortuaries; music and vocal instruction; services stations; and
union and labor halls. With a conditional use permit, the same activities as under the C- 2
zone are permitted, in addition to such activities as car washes; hotels and motels; RV storage
facilities; urgent care centers; group care facilities; health facilities; and vocational colleges.
For a more detailed list of permitted uses, consult Section 18.32.020 of the Municipal Code.
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– Property Development Standards: The minimum lot size is 7,500 square feet. The maximum
permissible floor to area ratio is 7: 1. Maximum building height is 35 feet. Building height is
restricted to 35 feet within 100 feet of a R- 1/ R- 2 zone or 45 feet within 100 feet of a R- 3/ R- 4
zone.
Heavy Commercial ( C- 4)
– Purpose and Intent: The C- 4 Heavy Commercial zone is intended for highway- related uses.
– Uses Permitted: Any uses permitted under zones C- 2 and C- 3 are permitted under C- 4, in
addition to such uses as boat, trailer and motorcycle sales; drive- in theaters; golf driving
ranges and gold courses; off- street parking lots; skating rinks; and vocational and trade
schools. Uses permitted subject to a conditional use permit are the same as those under the
C- 3 zone. For a more detailed list of permitted uses, consult Section 18.34.020 of the
Municipal Code.
– Property Development Standards: The minimum lot size is 7,500 square feet. The maximum
permissible floor to area ratio is 7: 1. Maximum building height is 35 feet. Building height is
restricted to 35 feet within 100 feet of a R- 1/ R- 2 zone or 45 feet within 100 feet of a R- 3/ R- 4
zone.
Light Industrial and General Industrial ( M- 1/ M- 2)
– Purpose and Intent: The M- 1 and M- 2 zones accommodate light and general industrial
activities.
– Uses Permitted: The M- 1 and M- 2 industrial zones have identical permissible uses. These
include administrative and commercial uses related to the services or operation of the
permitted industrial uses; research and development; manufacturing and assembly; wholesale
processing and distribution; storage and warehousing; printing and photocopying services;
restaurants; maintenance services; machine shops; adult businesses; equipment rentals;
building materials yards; and automobile repair, body shops and services. Uses permitted
with a conditional use permit include automobile dismantling and wrecking; foundries; hotels
and motels; mobile home parks; recreational vehicle storage facilities; vehicle storage yards
and other outside operations; vehicle dispatching services; ambulance services; and towing
and impound yards. For a more detailed list of permitted uses, consult Section 18.36.020 of
the Municipal Code.
– Property Development Standards: The maximum permissible floor to area ratio is 7: 1.
Maximum building height is 165 feet. Building height is restricted to 35 feet within 100 feet
of a R- 1/ R- 2 zone or 45 feet within 100 feet of a R- 3/ R- 4 zone.
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3.4 Public Services and Community Facilities
Land devoted to public facilities in the City of Gardena, includes the following uses:
Schools
Los Angeles Unified School District’s ( LAUSD) Local District K currently enrolls roughly
12,500 students in the City of Gardena. There are a total of 11 public schools in the L. A. U. S. D.
system in Gardena, occupying a total of 127.85 acres. Private schools in the City of Gardena
include Calvary Baptist, Gardena Valley Christian, Inklings, Junipero Serra High School, Maria
Regina, Montessori Children’s World, St. Anthony of Padua, and St. Anthony’s Day Nursery.
Libraries
The City of Gardena is served by two public libraries, the Masao W. Satow Library and Gardena
Mayme Dear Library. Both facilities are part of the Los Angeles County Public Library system.
The Masao W. Satow Library is located at 14433 South Crenshaw Boulevard. The library was
dedicated in 1977 after the West Gardena Library was destroyed by fire in 1969. The facilities
include a 7,000 square foot library and meeting room complex that holds 47,639 books, 133
periodicals, 5,037 audio- visual resources, and special collections. The Gardena Mayme Dear
Library is located at 1731 West Gardena Boulevard. The 16,429 square foot facility was
dedicated 1964.
Fire and Medical Facilities
The County of Los Angeles has been contracted to provide fire protection services in the City of
Gardena. The Gardena Fire Station is located at 1650 West 162nd Street.
Emergency medical response is coordinated between paramedic units, Gardena Memorial
Hospital and Harbor- UCLA Medical Center. The emergency base station is located at Harbor-
UCLA and operates 24 hours a day. The South Bay Regional Public Communication Authority,
the organization that supplies dispatch services, is a Joint Powers Authority serving the cities of
El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, and Manhattan Beach as a multi- jurisdictional emergency
system.
Police
The Gardena Police Department serves the City of Gardena. The Department is organized into
four divisions: transit security, parking compliance, operations and support. The Gardena Police
Department currently has 109 full- time and 19 part- time employees, 87 of which are sworn
officers. The Gardena Police Department is located at 1718 West 162nd Street.
Parks and Recreational Facilities
Over 16 acres of land in the City of Gardena is devoted to parks and recreational spaces. The
location and size of these facilities is provided in Table LU- 11.
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Table LU- 11: Parks and Recreational Spaces
Site Location Size ( Acres)
Bell Park 14708 S. Halldale Ave. 1.9
Freeman Park 2100 W. 154th Place 3.0
Nakaoka Center 1670 W. 162nd St. n/ a
Primm Pool 1650 W. 160th St. n/ a
Mas Fukai Park 15800 S. Brighton Ave. 4.9
Rowley Park 13220 S. Van Ness Ave. 18.7
Rush Gymnasium 1651 W. 162nd St. n/ a
South Gardena Park 1200 W. 170th St. 6.8
Thornburg Park 2320 W. 149th St. 2.5
Harvard Parkette 160th and Harvard Blvd. 0.15
Total Acreage 37.95
n/ a = not applicable. These are facilities.
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City of Gardena
CIRCULATION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
Technical Background Report
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1 Introduction
The intention of an infrastructure and utilities capacity evaluation is to describe the City’s
infrastructure systems, including public and private utilities, drawing on existing data sources
such as master facility plans, capital improvement plans or program documents, utility company
plans, and other documents on the City’s infrastructure.
2 Setting and Existing Conditions
2.1 Roadways
Gardena is strategically located near regional highways, and has a fully developed system of
local roads. The circulation system consists of the following:
Freeways: Although no freeways are within the City, the City is served by the following:
• I- 110 ( Harbor Freeway): The Harbor Freeway provides north- south regional access,
running from the I- 10 ( San Bernardino Freeway) in Downtown Los Angeles south to San
Pedro and continues as SR- 110 on Gaffey St. in San Pedro. I- 110 is the same route as
SR- 110, which terminates in the north in Pasadena.
• I- 405 ( San Diego Freeway): Interstate 405 is the backbone of the region's transportation
system, it provides north- south access and runs from the I- 5 ( Golden State Freeway) in
Sylmar and then reconnects with I- 5 ( San Diego Freeway) at the “ El Toro Y” in Irvine.
This freeway provides a bypass of Downtown Los Angeles.
• I- 105 ( Century/ Glen Anderson Freeway): This interstate provides east- west access from
Los Angeles International Airport ( the western terminus of the route) to the City of
Norwalk to the east. The LAMTA operates the Green Line, a light- rail system, in the
median of the freeway.
• SR- 91 ( Artesia Freeway): This state route provides east- west regional access from the
SR- 60/ SR- 91/ I- 215 interchange in Riverside in the east to Vermont Ave.
In addition, the City is served by the following major arterials:
• El Segundo Blvd.: provides east- west access from the City of Lynwood in the east to the
LAX area. LAMTA Metro line 124 operates on El Segundo Blvd. through the City of
Gardena. Torrance Transit also runs the T- 2 line along El Segundo Blvd within the City.
• Rosecrans Blvd.: provides east- west access from the City of Fullerton in the east to the
City of Manhattan Beach, it is an integral part of the MTA Rosecrans Transit Center
which located blocks east of the City of Gardena. LAMTA Metro line 125, as well as
other local transit lines, operates on Rosecrans Blvd. within the City.
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• Redondo Beach Blvd.: provides east- west access from the City of Compton in the east to
the City of Redondo Beach, the road runs in a north- east to south- west direction within
the City of Gardena. Gardena Municipal Bus Lines number GA- 3 operates on Redondo
Beach Blvd. within the City.
• Artesia Blvd.: provides east- west access from the terminus of SR- 91 ( Artesia Freeway) in
the east to the Pacific Coast Highway ( SR- 1) in Hermosa Beach, it is an integral part of
the MTA Artesia Transit Center which is located in the south- east corner of the City of
Gardena. LAMTA Metro lines 130, 210, 310 and 444 and Gardena Municipal Bus Lines
number GA- 2 as well as Torrance Transit line T- 2, operate on Artesia Blvd. within the
City.
• Vermont Ave.: provides north- south access roughly paralleling the I- 110 ( Harbor
Freeway) from the Harbor City district of the City of Los Angeles in the south to the Los
Feliz district of the City of Los Angeles. Gardena Municipal Bus Lines numbers GA- 1,
GA- 2 and GA- 3 as well as Torrance Transit line T- 1 operate on Vermont Ave within the
City.
• Western Ave.: provides north- south access from the San Pedro district of the City of Los
Angeles in the south to the Los Feliz district of the City of Los Angeles. Gardena
Municipal Bus Lines numbers GA- 1 and GA- 2 operate on Western Ave. within the City.
• Crenshaw Blvd.: provides north- south access from the City of Rancho Palos Verdes in
the south to the Hancock Park district of the City of Los Angeles. LAMTA Metro lines
210 and 310 as well as Torrance Transit lines T- 1 and T- 5 operate on Crenshaw Blvd.
within the City.
• Normandie Ave.: provides north- south access from the Harbor City district of the City of
Los Angeles in the south to the Los Feliz district of the City of Los Angeles. LAMTA
Metro line 209, as well as Gardena Municipal Bus Lines numbers GA- 2 and GA- 4,
operates on Normandie Ave. within the City.
• Others: Manhattan Beach Blvd. and 161st St. also provide major arterial functions for
City of Gardena.
Other roadways serving the City include the following:
• 135th St.: connects major north- south arterials, it provides east- west access from the City
of Compton in the east to the City of Hawthorne. LAMTA Metro line 209 operates on
135th St. within the City.
• Marine Ave.: connects major north- south arterials, it provides east- west access from
Vermont Ave. in the east to Manhattan State Beach. Gardena Municipal Bus Lines
number GA- 1 operates on Marine Ave. within the City.
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• Gardena Blvd.: connects major north- south arterials, it provides east- west access from the
City of Compton in the east to S. Normandie Ave. in the City of Gardena. Gardena
Municipal Bus Lines number GA- 1 operates on Gardena Blvd. within the City.
• 182nd St.: connects major north- south arterials, it provides east- west access from Figueroa
Street near the SR- 91 ( Artesia Freeway) and I- 110 ( Harbor Freeway) interchange in the
City of Los Angeles in the east to the City of Hermosa Beach.
• Van Ness Ave.: provides north- south access from the City of Torrance in the south to the
Hollywood district of the City of Los Angeles. LAMTA Metro line 209, and Gardena
Municipal Bus Lines number GA- 4 as well as Torrance Transit line T- 5, operates on Van
Ness Ave. within the City.
• Others: 158th St., and 162nd St., also provide major connection functions for the City of
Gardena.
The location of these principal roadways is shown in Figure CI- 1.
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Figure CI- 1: Street System
Arterial
Collector
Local
City Boundaries
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2.2 Public Transit
A comprehensive system for the movement of persons within the city and throughout the region
is a necessary component of any community. Viable alternatives to personal vehicles should
provide citizens with opportunities for travel to various points within the Los Angeles region.
The City of Gardena is served by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority
( MTA), Gardena Municipal Bus Lines ( GMBL), and by Torrance Transit. Table CI- 1 and
Figure CI- 2 summarize the bus routes that provide service to the City.
Table CI- 1: Public Transit Routes Serving Gardena
Service Provider Route General Characteristic
MTA 124 El Segundo Blvd./ Santa Fe Ave./ Imperial/ Wilmington/ Rosa
Parks Metro Rail Station
125 Rosecrans Ave.
126 Yukon Ave./ Manhattan Beach Blvd
130 Artesia Blvd.
209 Van Ness Ave./ Arlington Ave.
210 Vine St./ Crenshaw Blvd./ South Bay Galleria Transit Center
310 Vine St./ Wilshire Blvd./ Western Metro Rail Station/ Crenshaw
Blvd./ South Bay Galleria Transit Center Limited
444 Rancho Palos Verdes/ Rolling Hills Estates/ Torrance/ Patsaouras
Transit Plaza/ Union Station Express
Gardena Municipal Bus
Line ( GMBL)
1 Gardena to Los Angeles
2 Western Local/ North on Vermont Ave./ South on Western Ave.
3 Compton/ Gardena/ South Bay Galleria Transit Center
4 El Camino College/ Gardena
Torrance Transit 1 Los Angeles via Gardena
2 Los Angeles via South Bay Galleria Transit Center
5 Los Angeles via South Bay Galleria Transit Center
Source: http:// www. mta. net)
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Figure CI- 2: Transit Routes
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2.2.1 Gardena Municipal Bus Lines ( GMBL)
In addition to operating primarily as an intra- city transit system, Gardena Municipal Bus Lines
provides service to downtown Los Angeles and to areas surrounding Gardena. To serve the over
400 stops in Gardena, ( GMBL) provides the following bus lines: GA1, GA 2, GA 3, and GA 4.
The Gardena Municipal Bus Lines manages 49 full- size diesel buses and 10 demand response
vehicles, which act as a bus service for the disabled and for senior citizens. Utilizing 39 peak
hour buses, the GMBL is an integral part of the Los Angeles regional transit system. GMBL
provides low- cost, easily accessible public transportation for 18,000 riders on an average
weekday.
2.2.2 Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority ( LAMTA)
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority ( MTA) provides regional transportation services for
the greater Los Angeles region. Over 1.1 million passengers are served daily on approximately
2,000 buses to 18,500 stops throughout Los Angeles County. For those residing in Gardena, the
MTA offers connections to all points beyond the City. MTA routes serving the City are as
follows: MTA 124, MTA 125, MTA 126, MTA 130, MTA 209, MTA 210, MTA 310, and MTA
444.
2.2.3 Torrance Transit
Torrance Transit operates much in the same capacity as the Gardena Municipal Bus Lines, and
does offer limited service within Gardena. The lines are as follows: T1, T2, and T5.
2.2.4 Other Regional Transit
• Metro Blue Line: LAMTA operates a light- rail line which is located approximately three
miles east of the City of Gardena; the line runs from Downtown Los Angeles to the City of
Long Beach.
• Metro Green Line: LAMTA operates another light- rail line, which is located just north of the
City of Gardena; the line runs from LAX to Norwalk. Both lines operate trains at 15- minute
intervals and both are only a short distance from the City limits.
• Union Pacific Rail Line: Union Pacific Railroad operates a freight rail line through the City
of Gardena that runs from the Watts- El Segundo line north of the City, south to the City of
Torrance. The line includes a spur line that runs into the center of the City.
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2.3 Airports
Although no airport is located within Gardena’s boundaries, several local and regional airports
serve the City:
• Los Angeles International: Los Angeles International Airport ( LAX) is ranked third in the
world for number of passengers handled, and its usage shows no sign of decreasing. It is
located just northwest of the City of Gardena, 10 minutes driving time on either the I- 405
( San Diego Freeway) or I- 105 ( Century/ Glen Anderson Freeway). LAX handles 75
percent of the passengers, 78 percent of the air cargo and virtually 100 percent of the
international passengers and cargo traffic in the five- county Southern California region.
Approximately 328,000 jobs in Los Angeles County link directly to LAX. Los Angeles
County benefits from about $ 49 billion in economic output resulting from the airport. In
the next two decades, the demand for commercial aviation will rise sharply in the five
counties served by LAX – to 180% of the current level. To meet the projected needs of
travelers and cargo shippers, the region must find capacity for an additional 77 million
passengers per year. If those needs are not met, Los Angeles County could miss out on as
many as 80,000 new jobs and $ 30 billion in economic activity.
• Long Beach Municipal: Long Beach Airport ( LGB) is a hub of corporate activity as well
as one of the world’s busiest general aviation airports. It is located southeast of the City
of Gardena in the City of Long Beach. The airport is well situated halfway between the
major business and tourism areas of Orange and Los Angeles Counties.
• Compton Airport: Compton Airport ( CPM) is a general aviation airport, which is located
east of the City of Gardena in the City of Compton. The airport provides flying lessons,
aircraft rentals and aviation products and services.
• Torrance Airport: Torrance Airport ( TOA) is a general aviation airport, which is located
southwest of the City of Gardena in the City of Torrance. The airport provides flying
lessons, aircraft rentals and aviation products and services.
• Hawthorne Municipal Airport: Hawthorne Airport ( HHR) is a general aviation airport,
which is located northwest of the City of Gardena in the City of Hawthorne. The airport
provides flying clubs, aircraft rentals, a museum of flight, and aviation products and
services.
• Santa Monica Municipal Airport: Santa Monica Airport ( SMO) is a general aviation
airport, which is located northwest of the City of Gardena in the City of Santa Monica.
The airport provides flying clubs and lessons, aircraft rentals, the Museum of Flying, and
aviation products and services.
The location of these principal airports is shown in Figure CI- 3.
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Figure CI- 3: Surrounding Area Major Transportation Facilities
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2.4 Utilities
Any increase in population strains existing infrastructure and facilities; without proper
maintenance and regular investments through improvements and upkeep, the needs of residents
and community visitors cannot be adequately addressed.
This portion of the Circulation and Infrastructure Element focuses on maintenance of the existing
infrastructure and utilities and the establishment of new projects and programs designed to
extend better services to the community. The nature of future infrastructure requirement is
related to future developments. The Infrastructure and Utilities element provides policies, which
emphasize the need for maintenance of the existing infrastructure to meet the existing as well as
the future requirements of the City of Gardena.
2.4.1 Water Supply
The purpose of a water supply system is to provide water for urban, agricultural and industrial
uses. Through its subsidiary, Southern California Water Company's ( SCWC) the American
States Water Company provides water delivery, wastewater treatment, customer billing, 24- hour
customer support, and meter reading services to the City of Gardena. Southern California Water
Company supplies approximately 165 million gallons of water daily to customers throughout
California. Gardena falls in the region II – Southwest District Customer Service Area of the
company ( source: www. aswater. com).
Water delivered to customers in the Southwest system, of which Gardena is a part, is a blend of
groundwater pumped from the West Coast Groundwater Basin, and imported water from the
Colorado River Aqueduct and the State Water Project in Northern California. The West Coast
Groundwater Basin stretches southwest from the Newport- Inglewood Fault Zone between the
Baldwin Hills and Orange County to the Pacific Ocean.
Water Quality
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small
amounts of some contaminants. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the
layers in the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive
material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animal or human activity.
The presence of contaminants does not necessarily mean water may be a health risk. The water
delivered to Gardena meets the standard required by Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA),
the State Department of Health Services ( DHS) and the California Public Utilities Commission
( CPUC). In some cases, SCWC goes beyond what is required to monitor for constituents, which
have known health risks. The Company uses only independent, state- certified water quality
laboratories for testing ( source: Southern California Water Company 1999 Water Quality Report
for the Southwest System.
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2.4.2 Storm Drains
The purpose of a storm drain system is to prevent environmental damage from flooding, stream
erosion, and water pollution. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works - Flood
Control District, maintains storm drains in the City of Gardena. The storm drain system is a part
of the 2,500 miles of underground storm drains network of the County of Los Angeles. In
addition as part of the flood control function, the County operates and maintains 15 major dams,
about 450 miles of open channel, 70,000 street drains, about 280 sediment entrapment basins and
218 concrete stream bed stabilization structures, 33 pumping plants, as well as numerous support
facilities throughout the County ( source: www. co. la. ca. us ). There are more than 50 miles of
storm drain in the City of Gardena.
Construction and maintenance of the storm drain system is financed through the General Funds
of participating cities, Benefit Assessment taxes, and other developer/ tax revenues.
2.4.3 Sewers and Solid Waste
The purpose of a sewerage facility is to collect wastewater from residential, commercial, and
industrial establishments and transport it to a treatment plant, where the harmful constituents of
wastewater are removed before discharging it into a watercourse. In Gardena, sanitary sewers
were first installed in the 1920’ s and the system has been expanding ever since. Today, there are
over 70 miles of sanitary sewer owned and operated by the City of Gardena.
The Department of Public Works, City of Gardena conducted a study in 1975 to analyze the
sanitary sewer system in the City. The flow coefficients, that is, the volume of sewage per unit
area, which could be expected for different land uses, were determined to be as follows:
Table CI- 2: Sewage Flow Coefficients for the City of Gardena
Land Use Sewage Flow
Low and Medium Density Residential ( R- 1 & 2) 0.008 c. f. s./ acre Peak
High Density Residential ( R- 3 & 4) 0.012 c. f. s./ acre Peak
Commercial 0.016 c. f. s./ acre Peak
Manufacturing 0.020 c. f. s./ acre Peak
Source: City of Gardena Sanitary Sewer System Study, Department of Public Works- Engineering Division, July
1975
The City also maintains detail maps of the drainage area, which shows the section of the cities of
Los Angeles, Torrance and Hawthorne as well as unincorporated Los Angeles County from
which their sewage drains through the City of Gardena. This sewage drainage is almost entirely
carried by the Los Angeles County Sanitation District trunk sanitary sewers. In all, the City
maintains the following drawings:
• Sewage Flow Area, Gardena and Vicinity
• Sanitary Sewer System, Flow Analysis
• Sanitary Sewer System, Flow Analysis and Capacity Deficiencies
• Trunk Sewer System, Proposed Projects
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Circulation and Infrastructure
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 36
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Source: www. co. la. ca. us
Gardena is within LA County’s Sanitation District # 5. The County Sanitation Districts are a
confederation of independent special districts serving the wastewater and solid waste
management needs of about 5.3 million people in Los Angeles County.
The Sanitation Districts constructs,
operates, and maintain facilities to collect,
treat, and dispose of sewage and industrial
wastes and provides for disposal and
management of solid wastes, including
refuse transfer and resource recovery.
Maintenance of the local sewers and
laterals that connect to the Districts' trunk
sewer lines are the responsibility of the
City of Gardena.
The Districts also operate a comprehensive
solid waste management system serving
the needs of a large portion of Los
Angeles County. This system includes
three active sanitary landfills, two recycle
centers, a materials recovery facility
( MRF), a transfer station, and three gas- to- energy facilities ( source: co. la. ca. us). In addition, the
Districts maintain three former sanitary landfill sites.
Figure CI- 4: Solid Waste Facilities in Los
Angeles County
Technical Background Report
Circulation and Infrastructure
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 37
SCHOOL OF POLICY, PLANNING, AND DEVELOPMENT
2.4.4 Electricity and Natural Gas
Southern California Edison ( SCE) supplies electricity to the City under its baseline region 10
( source: www. sce. com). At present, SCE provides electric service to more than 4.2 million
business and residential customers over a 50,000 square mile service area in coastal, central, and
southern California. However, the current power crisis has not excluded Gardena and it falls in
various rotating outage groups of SCE.
The Southern California Gas Company provides natural gas to the City of Gardena. Gardena
falls under their Climate Zone 1. The Gas Company divides their service into two main
categories, Business and Residential.
Figure CI- 5: Southern California Gas Company– Service Territory
Source: www. socalgas. com
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Circulation and Infrastructure
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 38
SCHOOL OF POLICY, PLANNING, AND DEVELOPMENT
Southern California Gas Company has about 45,000 miles of transmission and distribution
pipelines providing natural gas service to 5 million meters and benefiting a population of about
18 million, most of whom rely on natural gas for heating, cooking, water heating and many other
household uses.
Figure CI- 6: Southern California Gas Company– Major Pipeline Facilities
Source: www. socalgas. com
Technical Background Report
Circulation and Infrastructure
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 39
SCHOOL OF POLICY, PLANNING, AND DEVELOPMENT
Telecommunications
Cable TV, Video, and Fiber Optic
The AOL Time Warner Corporation under their company’s South Bay Region district serves the
City of Gardena. AOL Time Warner provides digital, analog, pay- per- view, TV programming,
and fiber optic services.
Digital cable from AOL Time Warner delivers up to 200 channels, including 40 commercial- free
music channels, 39 screens of Digital Home Theater and up to 25 premium networks ( source:
access. warner. com).
AOL Time Warner also provides fiber optic service throughout the City of Gardena.
AOL Time Warner also provides “ Cable In The Classroom” service, which provides the areas
schools with over 500 hours of free educational programming every month. The service
includes:
• Basic cable service and more than 500 hours of commercial- free educational television
programming every month.
• Cable in the Classroom magazine and a local monthly newsletter to schools in its service
area.
• Copyright free programs relevant to school curriculum.
• Support materials such as outlines, workbooks and study guides are some of the resources
available ( source: access. warner. com).
In addition to AOL Time Warner, RCN Corporation was granted, in June 2000, the first
regulatory approval to provide bundled phone, cable and Internet service to the City of Gardena.
Internet Service
AOL Time Warner provides Internet Service to the City of Gardena. The service, Road
RunnerTM High Speed Online, is a cable Internet connection. The service uses the same fiber
optic cable lines that bring cable channels and enables the user to access the Internet at higher
speeds.
RCN also provides a super- fast cable modem connection utilizing RCN's MegabandTM network
as well as a high- speed 56K dial- up service. With either service, customers have access to email,
news, chat and other services.
Technical Background Report
Circulation and Infrastructure
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 40
SCHOOL OF POLICY, PLANNING, AND DEVELOPMENT
Figure CI- 7: Time Warner Fiber Optic and Internet Service in the South Bay Region
Source: www. accesstimewarner. com
Technical Background Report
Circulation and Infrastructure
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 41
SCHOOL OF POLICY, PLANNING, AND DEVELOPMENT
2.4.5 Revenue and Expenditure on Infrastructure and Utilities
The City’s adopted Fiscal year 2001- 2002 Budget projects the City’s Utility User Tax will be
9.07% of the City’s total revenue and the Sewer Use Fee will be 2.31% of total revenue.
Transfers from other funds are estimated to be 12.96%, which are also a revenue source for
infrastructure and utilities. Other revenue sources include State Gas Tax Fund, Consolidated
Lighting Fund, and Capital Improvement Fund.
Figure CI- 8: Distribution of General Fund Revenues
0 5 10 15 20 25
Sales and Use Tax
Transfers from Other Funds
Card Club Gross Revenue Fees
Property Taxes
Utility User Tax
Motor Vehicle In- Lieu Taxes
Business Licence Taxes
Franchise Taxes
Current Service Charges
Sewer Use Fees
Other Government Agencies
All Other
Source: City of Gardena, Fiscal year 2001- 2002 Budget
The Utility User Tax is one of the top five general fund sources for the City. With significant
growth in the City, due to the increase in housing and a number of economic developments
currently underway, utility user tax revenue is expected to increase ( source: City of Gardena
Fiscal Year 2000- 2001 Budget). The City’s Utility User Tax of 4 percent is assessed upon
electricity, gas, water, and telephone services.
The City plans an expenditure of 13.32% of the 2001- 2002 expenditure budget on Public Works
projects related to infrastructure and utilities. The City has invested in technology via
implementation of a citywide computer network system.
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Circulation and Infrastructure
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 42
SCHOOL OF POLICY, PLANNING, AND DEVELOPMENT
Figure CI- 9: Distribution of General Fund Expenditures
0 10 20 30 40
Police
Non- Departmental
Public Works
Recreation and Human Sevices
Administrative Services/ Cable TV
City Managers Office
Fire
City Clerk/ Treasurer/ Attorney
Community Development
City Council/ Community Promo/ Sanitation
Source: City of Gardena, Fiscal year 2001- 2002 Budget
2.5 Public Services and Community Facilities
The Gardena Public Works Department is responsible for all maintenance functions of the City
including public parks; streets and City owned property and facilities. Services to businesses
include permits, graffiti removal, street tree trimming and maintenance, and infrastructure
management ( source: www. ci. gardena. ca. us).
2.5.1 Schools
Los Angeles Unified School District’s ( LAUSD) Local District K currently enrolls roughly 12,
500 students. Based on increasing student enrollment trends, LAUSD is anticipating significant
increases in enrollment over the next several years ( Figure CI- 10). As such, the District is
considering numerous options for accommodating future student enrollment. Table CI- 3
provides a list of public schools in the area, their location, acreage, and enrollment figures for the
2000- 2001 school year. Private schools in the City of Gardena include: Bible Baptist School,
Calvary Christian Academy, Gardena Valley Christian School, Gardena Christian Academy,
Junipero Serra High School, Maria Regina Elementary School, Montessori Children’s World, St.
Anthony of Padua Elementary School, and St. Anthony’s Day Nursery.
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Circulation and Infrastructure
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 43
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Figure CI- 10: LAUSD Enrollment Trends
695,885
710,007
647,612 667,305
680,430
500,000
550,000
600,000
650,000
700,000
750,000
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Year
Total Enrollment
Source: California Department of Education, 1995- 1999.
The City of Gardena also has two public libraries, the Masao W. Satow Library and Gardena
Mayme Dear Library. Both facilities are part of the Los Angeles County Public Library system.
In 1996- 1997, the County of Los Angeles had a total circulation of 14,913,713 volumes and per
capita circulation of 4.42 ( source: California State Library, Los Angeles County Public Library
System, Public Library Statistics, Fiscal Year 1996- 1997).
The Masao W. Satow Library is located at 14433 South Crenshaw Boulevard just outside of the
City boundaries. The library was dedicated in 1977 after the West Gardena Library was
destroyed by fire in 1969. The facilities include a 7,000 square foot library and meeting room
complex that holds 47,639 books, 133 periodicals, 5,037 audio- visual resources, and special
collections.
The Gardena Mayme Dear Library is located at 1731 West Gardena Boulevard. The 16,429
square foot facility was dedicated 1964. Its current collection holds 100,000 volumes including
3,000 audio recordings, 2,000 videocassettes, 195 periodicals and newspapers and a unique
microfilm collection with information on the Japanese- American internment during World War
II. Facilities also include an enclosed Japanese Garden with a 150- year- old lantern donated by
Gardena’s sister city, Ichikawa, Japan.
Libraries
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Circulation and Infrastructure
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 44
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Table CI- 3: Public Schools in the City of Gardena
Name of School Acreage 2000- 2001 Average
Student Enrollment
Amestoy Elementary 4.77 Acres 1,008
1048 W. 149th St.
Chapman Elementary 3.71 Acres 500
1947 Marine Ave.
Denker Avenue Elementary 7.20 Acres 1,055
1620 W. 162nd St.
Gardena Elementary 4.50 Acres 800
647 W. Gardena Blvd. .
Gardena Senior High 57.5 Acres 3,080
1301 W. 182nd St.
One- Hundred Eighty- Sixth St. Elementary 8.33 Acres 980
1581 W. 186th St.
One- Hundred Fifty- Sixth St. Elementary 5.43 Acres 400
2100 W. 156th St.
One- Hundred Fifty- Third St. Elementary 6.00 Acres 752
1605 W. 153rd St.
One- Hundred Thirty- Fifth St. Elementary 5.99 Acres 1,044
801 W. 135th St.
Peary ( Robert E.) Junior High 17.51 Acres 2,187
1415 W. Gardena Blvd.
Purche Avenue Elementary 6.91 Acres 710
13210 Purche Ave.
TOTAL 127.85 Acres 12,516
Sources: Los Angeles Unified School District, Real Estate Office, 2001.
Self- Reported Data from Schools names above, 2001.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 45
SCHOOL OF POLICY, PLANNING, AND DEVELOPMENT
City of Gardena
SAFETY
Technical Background Report
Technical Background Report
Safety
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 46
SCHOOL OF POLICY, PLANNING, AND DEVELOPMENT
1 Introduction
Since the city adopted the General Plan in 1975, the city’s population has increased from
46,000 to 58,000 residents; businesses in the city have increased from 4,200 to roughly
6,500 employers. The growth in the city illustrates the need for the city to plan for
ensuring the safety of life and property in the city as well as for an adequate supply of
infrastructure and utilities to the residents.
1.1 Purpose
A review of the public services and community facilities in the city of Gardena is intended
to summarize conditions, identify and define programs to protect the community from fire
and geologic dangers, and provide for the protection of human life and property. The
background report focuses on features necessary for community safety such as water
supply requirements, clearance around structures. In addition, it provides a review of
recreation and open space including parks and other facilities including community
centers, administrative offices, cultural facilities, government offices, and school.
The effectiveness of the general plan depends upon the understanding of the mutual inter-relationship
among the elements of the general plan. A particularly strong inter-relationship
exists between the Safety Element and the Land Use, Economic
Development, and Conservation elements. Likewise, an evaluation of existing
recreational facilities is necessary for the completion of the Conservation and Open Space
elements.
Land use planning exercises a direct influence on safety and is an extremely effective tool
for the regulation of land uses in potentially hazardous areas. It can also aid in the
achievement of the objectives of the Safety Element. Through restrictions on the density
and replacement or rejuvenation of older structures, the Land Use Element supplements
the programs and policies of the Safety Element.
The Open Space and Conservation Element of this Technical Background Report
describes the lack of natural landscapes within the city. Therefore, it concentrates on the
dynamic physical uses of urban lands and services required by the city. Its major concern
is the protection and preservation of life and property and the prevention of economic loss.
Therefore, the goals and policies of the two elements ( Open Space Conservation Element
Conservation and Safety Element) are interrelated.
1.2 Relevant Issues
To equip the city with the capacity to meet service demands, the following issues should
be addressed:
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Safety
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• Assess the adequacy and availability of existing community water, sewer, and
drainage facilities and the need for expansion and improvements.
• Assess existing and projected capacity of treatment plants and trunk lines.
• Examine trends in peak and average daily flows.
• Inventory and location of existing and proposed power plants, oil and natural gas
pipelines, and major electric transmission lines and corridors.
• Assess current power plant development and potential future development.
Consider such factors as the demand for transmission facilities, the transport and storage
of hazardous materials, and local transportation impacts of current and future power plant
developments ( source: Antero Rivasplata and Gregg McKenzie, State of California
General Plan Guidelines, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, November 1998,
page 43).
2 Setting and Existing Conditions
The city is land locked, resting on a flood plain, and surrounded by other communities in
various stages of development. Mean elevation is 50 feet. The climate is moderate and
rainfall averages are slightly higher than the city of Los Angeles. As part of the Los
Angeles basin air quality district Gardena shares similar problems of air pollution with the
surrounding area.
Gardena’s geographic location near the interchange of the San Diego and Harbor
Freeways makes commuter, access from the Los Angeles metropolitan area easy; it is in
this way that Gardena developed into a commuter- oriented community. A relatively
significant industrial base was encouraged due to freeway access, as well as proximity of
Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles Harbor, and various railroad spur lines.
Police and Crime
The Gardena Police Department serves the City of Gardena. The Department is currently
organized into four divisions:
• Transit Security: This division is responsible for law enforcement services on
Gardena municipal buses within and outside the city limits.
• Parking Compliance: This division is responsible for monitoring an assuring
compliance with the state vehicle code and laws of the city regarding the stopping,
standing, or parking of vehicles.
• Operations: This division is responsible for the deployment and management of
resources in the field to improve the quality of life and safety in the community.
Operations personnel include uniformed patrol, traffic, and canine officers. Duties
include solving community issues related to the quality of life and other
community- oriented policing functions.
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Safety
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• Support: This division is responsible for providing support services to the
department with an emphasis upon the Community Oriented Policing philosophy.
Support personnel include police specialist and civilian members. Support
specialist functions of this division include recruitment, in- service and civilian
training, communications, safety equipment maintenance, fleet readiness, youth
education programs, grant management, emergency preparedness, and volunteer
resources.
The police department, under the direction of the police chief, emphasizes Community
Oriented Policing and aims to maintain the quality of life and safety of the community.
Table S- 1 provides statistical information on violent crime in cities with populations
similar to Gardena. Figure S- 1 provides a graphical depiction of these numbers. Property
crime rates are also relatively higher in the city of Gardena, although some cities with
similar population sizes have comparable property crime numbers. Table S- 2 provides
information on property crime in Gardena and Figure S- 2 provides an illustration of these
numbers. Overall, violent crime in Gardena has consistently decreased since 1994 while
property crimes initially decreased and stabilized. Figures S- 2 and S- 3 illustrate these
trends.
Table S- 1: Violent Crimes, 2000
2000 Population Willful
Homicide
Forcible
Rape Robbery Aggravated
Assault
Total
Violent
Crimes
Lawndale 31,711 2 10 118 185 315
Gardena 57,746 3 14 376 268 661
Hawthorne 84,112 8 22 346 896 1272
Carson 89,730 17 22 179 616 834
Inglewood 112,580 23 52 575 726 1376
Torrance 137,946 2 14 175 274 465
Source: U. S. Bureau of Census, 2000
California Crime Index
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Safety
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 49
SCHOOL OF POLICY, PLANNING, AND DEVELOPMENT
Figure S- 1 Violent Crimes by City, 2000
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600
Lawndale
Paramount
Gardena
Hawthorne
Carson
Inglewood
Torrance
Source: U. S. Bureau of Census, 2000
California Crime Index
Table S- 2: Property Crimes, 2000
2000 Population Burglary
Motor
Vehicle
Theft
Total Property Crimes
Lawndale 31,711 213 152 365
Gardena 57,746 541 484 1025
Hawthorne 84,112 596 599 1195
Carson 89,730 552 627 1179
Inglewood 112,580 803 913 1716
Torrance 137,946 686 676 1362
Source: U. S. Bureau of Census, 2000
California Crime Index
Figure S- 2: Property Crimes by City, 2000
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
Lawndale
Paramount
Gardena
Hawthorne
Carson
Inglewood
Torrance
Source: U. S. Bureau of Census, 2000
California Crime Index
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Figure S- 3: Total Violent Crimes in Gardena by Year
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Source: U. S. Bureau of Census, 2000
California Crime Index
Figure S- 4: Total Property Crimes in Gardena by Year
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Source: U. S. Bureau of Census, 2000
California Crime Index
The Gardena Police Department currently has 109 full- time and 19 part- time employees,
87 of which are sworn officers. Seven of the sworn officer positions were made possible
by a grant from the Federal COPS Program. These positions will be funded for three
years. The city also obtained a waiver for $ 800,000 of the fund matching requirements.
Additionally, seized asset funds will be used to replace seven detective vehicles and two
motorcycles. Efforts are being made to identify additional state and federal grant sources
to assist the city in the replacement of equipment and the employment of additional
personnel. The Gardena Police Department is located at 1718 West 162nd Street.
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Fire Protection Services
The County of Los Angeles has been contracted to provide fire protection services in the
city of Gardena. The September 2000 consolidation was the result of Measure A, a March
1999 ballot measure that merged the Gardena Fire Department with the Consolidated Fire
Protection District of Los Angeles County. The city budget indicates that funding needs
for fire protection services has been cut by 82.8% ( from $ 4,532,652 in the 1999- 2000
fiscal year to $ 778,007 in the 2000- 2001 fiscal year) by the contractual agreement with the
County.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department serves 57 district cities and provides services to
all of the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. The department answers roughly
234,000 emergency calls each year. In October 2001, Gardena’s City Council is expected
to undertake a review of fire fighting and emergency medical services since consolidation.
With 157 fire stations, 163 Engine Companies, 31 Truck Companies, and 79 paramedic
units, the Los Angeles County Fire Department provides protection to 1.1 million housing
units located throughout the department’s 2,278 square mile coverage area. The Gardena
Fire Station is located at 1650 West 162nd Street.
Fire protection services in the city of Gardena are divided into three areas:
• Fire suppression: Responsible for response to all reported fires within the City
limits; for performance of fire prevention activities which include the checking of
plans for all construction ( except single family homes); routine inspection of
businesses to insure compliance with minimum fire and safety standards;
investigation for cause and origin of fires; and public education programs.
• Paramedic/ rescue: Responsible for emergency medical response in conjunction
with Memorial Hospital of Gardena and Harbor- UCLA Medical Center; response
to emergency medical aid calls within minutes to anywhere within the city of
Gardena; and response with fire suppression units to fire incidents within the city.
• Dispatch: Police, Fire, and Paramedic dispatch services for emergency and non-emergency
incidents are supplied to city of Gardena residents and businesses by
the South Bay Regional Public Communications Authority.
Emergency medical response is coordinated between paramedic units, Gardena Memorial
Hospital and Harbor- UCLA Medical Center. The emergency base station is located at
Harbor- UCLA and is operation 24 hours a day. The South Bay Regional Public
Communication Authority – the organization that supplies dispatch services – is a Joint
Powers Authority serving the cities of El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, and Manhattan
Beach as a multi- jurisdictional emergency system.
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City of Gardena
OPEN SPACE AND
CONSERVATION
Technical Background Report
Technical Background Report
Open Space and Conservation
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 53
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1. Introduction
For all intents and purposes, the City of Gardena is a totally developed community. At
the time that the previous Conservation Element was adopted in 1973, the City had
approximately 6% or 209 acres of vacant land. By 1995, this figure was reduced
substantially to 12.05 acres. The Technical Background Report shows that Gardena does
not have an abundance of open space or natural resources, therefore the Open Space and
Conservation Element focuses on conserving the City’s existing open space and its
cultural and historical resources. In accordance with the State’s General Plan Guidelines,
this Element will also focus on important environmental considerations such as “ flood
control, land reclamation, prevention and control of pollution of water resources, and
prevention and control of erosion of soils.” ( Source: State General Plan Guidelines,
1998).
Government Code Section 65302( e) states the general plan shall include an open space
element. State planning law requires the preparation of a local open space plan for the
comprehensive and long- range preservation and conservation of open space land within
its jurisdiction along with a program for its implementation. Open space for Gardena
exists only for recreational purposes, therefore recreation is included as a co- element of
Open Space for the City of Gardena. The legislative intent of the law is to ensure that
cities and counties recognize that open space land is a valuable limited resource that must
be protected wherever possible.
2. Setting and Existing Conditions
The City of Gardena is one small part of the South Bay. It is impossible to establish the
direction for Gardena’s future without examining the larger area of which it is a part.
Gardena benefits from regional assets such as, recreational amenities, access to freeways,
and proximity to the ocean and the Port of Los Angeles.
2.1 Regional Recreation and Park Facilities
There are several parks and recreation facilities in close proximity to the City of Gardena:
• To the east is the Rosecrans Recreation Center in Los Angeles at S. Vermont and
W. 149th St. Is 10.54 acres and contains 3 baseball diamonds, 1 soccer field, 2
basketball courts, 1 volleyball court, 1 paddle tennis court, ½ mile jogging trail, and
scattered playground areas and a recreation center with a gymnasium and auditorium,
classrooms and conference room.
• To the northeast is Helen Keller Park in Los Angeles at W. 125th Street and S.
Vermont Avenue. It contains outdoor basketball courts, a football/ soccer field, picnic
and barbecue areas, play equipment, a swimming pool, and a community building.
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Open Space and Conservation
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 54
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• To the west is Alondra Park and Golf Course in Torrance at 16400 S. Prairie Avenue
Its facilities include a regulation 18 hole golf course and a par 3, 18 hole golf course
as well as ball diamonds, lake fishing, football/ soccer facilities, picnic and barbecue
area, play equipment, swimming pool and a community building.
• To the north is Chester L. Washington Golf Course at 1930 W. 120th St in
Hawthorne. It is a regulation 18- hole golf course. Also at this location is Holly Park
at 120th and Van Ness. It contains outdoor basketball courts and two baseball
diamonds.
In addition to these nearby parks, a Regional Bicycle Master Plan was completed by the
MTA for the South Bay area in 1995. According to the plan the existing bicycle network
in the South Bay region is “ incomplete and discontinuous” ( source: LAMTA South Bay
Area Bicycle Master Plan, 1995). The bicycle routes that have been developed do not
form a continuous system that can be used to reach regional activity centers such as
employment or transportation centers. The South Bay Area currently has 65 miles of
Class I bike trails and 67 miles of Class II bike routes.
The purpose of the Bicycle Plan is to add to the already existing system to make it more
contiguous which would provide bicycle access to the identified regionally significant
activity centers such as retail centers, employment centers, universities, high schools,
major health care facilities, transit centers and major parks and recreation centers. Figure
OSC- 1 shows the existing bikeways and illustrates how the new plan will connect the
already existing pathways. The proposed system provides for a connected north/ south
and east/ west network that would serve major activity centers. The regional system
would provide an additional 24 miles of Class I bike paths and 171 miles of Class II bike
lanes.
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Open Space and Conservation
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 55
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Figure OSC- 1: Master Plan of Regionally Significant Bikeways
Source: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, South Bay Area Regional Bicycle
Master Plan Report, June 1995.
2.2 Water Resources
2.21 Harbors
Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors together form the second busiest port in the world,
with only Hong Kong moving greater tonnage in imports and exports. In addition to
these major commercial ports, King Harbor in Redondo Beach with over 1,450 slips and
Marina Del Rey on Santa Monica Bay, one of the largest man made harbors in the world,
are home to most of the regions small craft. In addition, the two harbors on Catalina
Island are a major tourist draw.
2.22 Rivers
The region contains many different waterways from the channeled Los Angeles River
and Dominguez Channel to Compton Creek, the Palos Verdes Reservoir, Harbor Lake
( Machado Lake) and other perennial and intermittent blue line streams.
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Open Space and Conservation
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2.23 Beaches
The City of Gardena itself is landlocked, but it is within five miles of several beaches on
the Pacific Ocean including El Segundo, Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach, these
add an important recreational amenity to the City.
2.3 Environmental Issues
2.3.1 Willows Wetland
The wetland is located in the far southeast portion of the city, north of Artesia Boulevard
and west of the Harbor Freeway. This site is the last approximately 8 acres left of a
larger lake which once occupied the area. The area is vegetated with a number of
different species some native and others that are considered “ escaped exotics and garden
waifs” ( source: Willows Wetland Jurisdictional Delineation, Envicom Corporation,
1994. Area vegetation includes willows, elms, peach, avocado, Brazilian- pepper tree and
palms. The under- canopy consists of water primrose, cypreus, spikerush, willow weed,
mugwort and other species. The full list of plant species is included as an appendix.
Wildlife in the area is aided in diversity by the quality of the habitat and its relative
isolation. The area is especially attractive to insects, rodents, some amphibians, birds and
some domesticated or feral animals, such as domestic rabbit and cat, which visit or
inhabit the wetlands. The isolation of the wetlands from other similar areas and the level
of pollution make the habitat undesirable for certain amphibians and mammals.
However, the habitat is good for breeding or transitory habitat for other species.
The Willows Wetland area has implications not just for the City of Gardena, but also for
the South Bay region, as it is one of four natural wetlands that remain after the draining
of the lake that was formed by the Laguna Dominguez Slough. It is home to many
different species of animal including two sensitive species, the red- shouldered hawk and
the yellow warbler. In addition to the natural resources preserved here, this is an
important link to the history of Gardena and, additionally, provides precious open space
in this urbanized community.
The most significant risks to the wetland come from manmade hazards such as pollution
through runoff and dumping and encroachment of the built environment. There is a
strong connection between the wetlands and surrounding areas and it is necessary to
protect this relationship.
2.3.2 Regional Water Quality Management
The quantity and quality of water available will always be a regional issue. No one city
can pollute, deplete, or for that matter, conserve and protect water resources by
concentrating within its own municipal boundaries. For this reason, water quality is a
regional issue handled and adjudicated by regional bodies. Reliable water sources cannot
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be maintained or achieved by depending on natural replenishment or state water projects.
Conservation over the region is a requirement for the entire Los Angeles Basin.
Pollution is a major detriment to available water in the region. Groundwater resources
are at risk from encroachment of seawater and contaminates, entering the water supply
from storm drains.
2.3.3 Regional Air Quality Management
Similar to water quality management, air quality is by nature a regional issue. The Los
Angeles area has improved the quality of air by reducing the number of toxic air
pollutants through proactive steps to reduce emissions, and reduce the number of
polluting automobiles and industries. Because of these measures, Los Angeles is no
longer the smoggiest city in the nation ( source: Southern California. Association of
Governments, “ State of the Region, 2001).
Pollution is still an issue in the region. In general, the shape of the Los Angeles Basin
and prevailing winds coming from the ocean, and mountains blocking the eastern
boundary set up conditions conducive to smog collecting in the basin. The pollution
levels naturally increase during the warmer months with winter and spring being the most
pollution free.
2.4 Regional Flood Control
The creation of concrete channels for the Dominguez Slough and Los Angeles River are
two of the most important flood control measures in the region. There is an extensive
system of storm drains in various states of repair most of which drain directly to the
ocean.
Because rainfall in the area varies according to local topography, the region can expect
anywhere from seven to fourteen inches of rain a year with the amount of rain varying
form place to place and year to year.
3 Existing Conditions
3.1 Open Space
Open space land in Gardena is divided into six categories: local parks and recreation
facilities, school outdoor areas, municipally serviced areas, flood control channels and
storm drains, railroad right of ways, and utility easements. There is a total of 149.57 acres
of open space within the City.
Table OSC- 1 indicates the amount and percentage of open space in each category. Of the
approximately 150 acres of open space in the City, almost half of the open space in the
City is comprised of parks, recreation facilities and school playgrounds. These facilities
are meant for both structured and unstructured sports and recreation activities, as well as
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family events such as picnics. Just less than one- third of the open space land is in the
form of flood control channels and storm drains. While these may not be available for
active recreational uses, they could be created into pathways for use by cyclists or
pedestrians. Finally, the City maintains approximately 10 percent in median strips and
landscaping and the remainder is comprised of a utility corridor. Figure OSC- 2 and
OSC- 3 display the geographic locations within the City to illustrate just how these
categories are distributed throughout the City.
Table OSC– 1: Existing Open Space
Category Acres Percentage of Total
Open Space
Parks and Recreation Facilities 35.95 25.76
School Outdoor Areas 23.10 16.55
Municipally Serviced Areas 16.02 11.48
Flood Control Channels and Storm Drains 46.50 33.32
Utility Easement 18.00 12.89
Totals 139.57 100
Source: 1973 Open Space and Recreation Element and City of Gardena Public Works Department
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Figure OSC- 2: Existing Open Space
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Figure OSC– 3: Local Parks and Recreation Facilities
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The 1973 Open Space and Recreation Element indicated there was 29.5 acres of park
land, 54.1 acres of school playgrounds owned and operated by the Los Angeles Unified
School District, and 53.2 acres of other open space including median strips, flood
channels, greenbelts, railroad right of ways and utility easements. ( Private school
playgrounds were not included due to complicated usage agreements. This does not
preclude the use of these private playgrounds in the future.) Table OSC– 2 highlights the
change in open space from 1973 to today. In the 28 years since its last General Plan
update, Gardena has gained an additional 16.45 acres of park space primarily due to the
addition of South Gardena Park and the inclusion of the Willows Wetland into the City’s
park inventory. In addition, the City has also experienced a net gain in other open space
that appears to be due to an increase in landscaping along the City’s main thoroughfares.
On the other hand, the City has lost 31 acres of school outdoor areas primarily due to the
addition of new classrooms and other facilities onto its schools and the exclusion of
Gardena High School from the inventory because it is not actually within Gardena’s City
limits.
Table OSC– 2: Change in Open Space ( 1973- 2001)
Open Space Type 1973 2001 Net Change
( in acres)
%
Change
Local Parks 29.50 35.95 + 6.45 + 55.8
School Outdoor Areas 54.10 23.10 - 1.00 - 57.3
Other 73.20 80.52 + .32 + 10.0
Total 156.80 149.57 - 7.23 - 4.61
Source: 1973 Open Space and Recreation Element and City of Gardena Public Works Department
The open space within the City’s jurisdiction has seen an overall net increase. To
maintain this positive direction, it is important that the City continue to implement
policies that will aid in conserving the existing open space as well as add to the open
space system in the future.
3.2 Local Parks and Development Standards
As previously mentioned, the City has 45.95 acres of parks and 23.1 acres of school
playgrounds. Figure OSC- 3 shows that the parks and school facilities are distributed
fairly evenly throughout the City, with the exception of the northeast part. While the
majority of that part of the City is zoned as industrial land, there are multi- family and
single- family residential homes in that area, whose residents need a local park. In fact,
the City as a whole lacks the local parks and recreation facilities needed for a city of its
size.
A Citywide analysis from the 1973 Open Space and Recreation Element indicated that
the city would need an additional 445 acres of open space in the form of parkland to meet
the National Recreation and Parks Association standard of 10 acres per 1,000 population.
This standard included 6 acres for regional parks, 2.5 acres for school playgrounds and
1.5 acres for local parks and playgrounds. Using the prevailing, and lower, standard set
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by the State of California of 3 acres per 1,000 for local parks and playgrounds, and the
city’s population of 57,746, the City would need approximately 173 acres of park land to
meet this standard. This calculation indicates the City is still very deficient in park space
and would need an additional 127 acres of parkland. Including the school playgrounds,
the City would still be deficient by 104 acres.
This shortage in parkland is for both local and regional park facilities. Most parks in
Gardena are relatively small with the average size at 5.75 acres. They range in size from
the largest ( Rowley) at 18.7 acres and the smallest ( Harvard) at 0.15 acres. The city is
in need of some larger parks greater than 20 acres in size as well as more local parks in
the residential neighborhoods.
The presence of plentiful and well- designed parks and recreation facilities contributes to
the quality of life in a community. The need for more parks and open space in Gardena is
evident in that it is not able to satisfy even today’s low standard of 3 acres per 1,000
population. While some of this deficiency can be off- set by the use of school yards after
school hours, or through the close proximity to Gardena of regional and local parks in
other jurisdictional boundaries such as Rosecrans Park, Alondra Park, Helen Keller Park,
and Chester L. Washington Golf Course, the City needs to find ways to secure additional
parks and open space.
At present, the only way to add to the existing inventory appears to be through demolition
and redevelopment, imposing more stringent development standards regarding setbacks
and open space requirements, such as the application of a park fee for all new
development projects, irrespective of type. This new fee would require developers to
provide open space or cash in lieu for their projects that would allow the City to acquire
additional land or create a fund to purchase available land to develop new parks.
3.3 Recreation Facilities and Opportunities
Currently Gardena has 6 parks with community buildings, 1 large two- story community
center, 1 municipal pool, 1 parkette and 2 gymnasiums. As displayed in Table OSC- 3
there are different amenities and recreation facilities at each location allowing for
different programming opportunities at each location.
• South Park – pistol range, recreation building and classroom, multi- purpose field, 2
basketball courts, 4 tennis courts, picnic shelter, playground area, handball court.
• Bell Park – recreation building and classroom, ball diamond, basketball court,
handball court, 2 picnic shelters, 2 playground equipment areas, multi- purpose field.
• Rowley Park – auditorium, weight room, 2 classrooms, ( inoperable) kitchen, handball
court, gymnasium, 4 ball diamonds, 2 basketball courts, 4 tennis courts, 2 picnic
shelters, 2 playground equipment areas, ( inoperable) wading pool.
• Thornburg Park – recreation building, classroom, ball diamond, multi- purpose field, 2
basketball courts, handball court, 2 picnic shelters, playground area, horseshoe pitch,
tumbling room.
• Freeman Park – 2 classrooms, ball diamond, basketball court, picnic shelter, playing
field, playground equipment, multi- purpose field, tennis court.
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• Fukai Park – 3 classrooms, 2 ball diamonds, 2 basketball courts, handball court,
picnic shelter, playground equipment.
• Harvard Parkette – playground equipment, picnic area
• Ken Nakaoka Community Center – 6 meeting rooms, auditorium, kitchen, stage
Table OSC- 3: Parks and Recreation Facilities
Park Name
Acres
Playground
Ball
Diamond
Soccer
Tennis
Picnic Area
Baseball
Gym
Pool
Wading Pool
Comm./
Rec Center
Mtg. Room
Basketball
S. Gardena 6.80 1 1 1 4 1 1 2
Bell 1.90 2 1 2 1 1 1
Rowley 18.70 2 4 4 2 4 1 1 2 2
Thornburg 2.50 1 1 2 1 2 2
Freeman 3.00 1 1 1 1 1 2 1
Fukai 4.90 1 2 1 2 3 2
Harvard 0.15 1 1
Willows 8.00
Nakaoka Comm.
Center
1 6
Primm Pool 1
Rush Gym 1 3
Total 45.9 9 10 1 9 10 9 2 1 0 2 17 13
Source: City of Gardena Public Works Department and Recreation Department
The Recreation and Human Services Department of the City of Gardena is responsible
for programming the city’s parks and recreation facilities. Activities are divided into 10
categories: adult sports, aquatics, children’s day care, city- wide special events, contract
classes, developmentally disabled programming, facility reservations, Nakaoka
Community Center programming, park programming and youth sports. These categories
provide well over 400 programs to the community including senior citizen activities such
as exercise classes, Tai Chi, and dancing; youth sports leagues in flag football, basketball,
softball, baseball, and track and field; and adult sports programs such as volleyball,
basketball, and slow pitch softball.
In 1994 the City’s Recreation Department reported 162 youth teams registered in its flag
football, softball, baseball, volleyball and basketball leagues. This was an increase in 52
teams from 1992. In adult leagues, there were 32 men’s basketball teams, while the co-ed
volleyball leagues attracted 36 teams and adult softball leagues had 120 teams in
various skill levels.
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Community- based programs are assisted through reservations for use of 11 park
classrooms, 6 community center classrooms, 2 auditoriums, 10 picnic shelters, 10 ball
diamonds, 9 tennis courts, 13 basketball courts and 1 swimming pool.
3.4 Bicycle Routes
Since the park space in the City is at a premium, the City could increase its resident’s
recreation and commuting options by adding more bicycle routes, especially the Class I
and Class II types that separate the cyclist from motor vehicle traffic. Bicycle routes
within the city are currently all Class III ( on- street) routes with no bicycle lane. The only
exception is a Class I route ( off- street bicycle path) in the northwest that follows the
Dominguez Channel from El Segundo Blvd. to Rosecrans Ave. Figure OSC- 4 shows the
existing and proposed bicycle paths for the City. The MTA’s South Bay Area Regional
Bicycle Master Plan proposes a regional path along Vermont from the southern city
limits to the northern city limits. This path would be most accessible if a bike lane were
added in each direction making it a Class II route. Other proposed paths include a
regional Class I ( off- street) path in the south along the Dominguez Channel from
Gramercy to Vermont. In addition, providing another Class II route along Redondo
Beach Blvd. would feed into the regional system and provide a connected circulation
system for commuter or recreational cycling.
3.5 Flood Control
The City is in a generally flat area trending northeast within the Los Angeles Basin. The
natural contour combined with well draining soils minimizes Gardena’s issues with flood
control. The Dominguez Channel and existing retention basins meet the City’s basic
needs for flood control. However, in 1998 the Federal Emergency management Agency
( FEMA) added an additional flood zone to Los Angeles County ( source:
hud. gov/ local/ los/ losflod. html). This new AR Zone indicates that there are large areas
for which current flood control measures may not be sufficient protection against 100 or
500- year floods. Within the boundaries of Gardena, this new flood zone affects the
southeast portion of the city, surrounding the Willows Wetland and South Gardena Park.
FEMA is establishing new building criteria for the AR Zone but because Gardena is
already built in this area, there is no immediate impact to development in the area. New
development would be required to meet the new zone requirements and flood insurance
may be required within the zone.
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Figure OSC- 4: Bicycle Routes
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3.6 Geologic Conditions
Earthquakes in California are caused by the movement of the Pacific and North American
plates, between which the San Andreas Fault is the boundary. An earthquake happens
when movement of the plates relative to each other causes movement or friction.
Some degree of risk from natural disasters is inevitable and cannot be predicted with
certainty. The knowledge and technology to control risk is constantly evolving. While
the San Andreas Fault system dominates the area, over 200 other faults in Southern
California can produce an earthquake above magnitude 6 ( source: Southern California
Earthquake Center). The City of Gardena is located within a seismically active region.
The dominant seismic feature affecting the planning area is the Newport- Inglewood fault.
Technically, this is part of the San Andreas Fault system but it is less likely then the other
faults in the system to produce an earthquake.
Aside from ground shaking and ground surface rupture, earthquake hazards include the
fissuring or cracking of bedrock, landslides, liquefaction and ground settlement.
Structures most likely to be affected by earthquakes are those that are old or near
earthquake faults in areas that may be prone to liquefaction. ( See Figure OSC- 5.)
The Alquist- Priolo Special Studies Zones Act was signed into law on December 22, 1972
and went into effect on March 7, 1973. Under this act, the State Geologist is required to
delineate “ special studies zones” along known active faults, fault where an earthquake
has occurred within the last 11,000 years. The purpose of this act is to prohibit the
construction of new buildings across the trace of active faults. Cities and counties
affected by the provisions of this act must regulate development within the special studies
zones through zoning controls, geologic studies, or other measures. The Alquist- Priolo
Act and the fault zones delineated by the State Geologist address surface rupture hazards.
Ground shaking and other seismic hazards are not addressed by the creation of these
zones ( source: Alquist- Priolo Special Studies Zone Act).
Earthquakes affect areas several miles away from the epicenter and continue to elude
predication. The only presently known measures to minimize the hazards involve
structural reinforcement, physical separation, and emergency preparedness.
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Figure OSC- 5: Liquefaction Map
LEGEND
Liquifaction Area
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3.6.1 Water
In certain areas, the deposition of sediments has resulted in impervious layers, which
block the downward movement of irrigation and recharge toward the aquifers. This
impervious sedimentary layer has resulted in a perched water condition where irrigation-recharge
water is retained above the water table.
Ground water in Gardena averages between 30- 40 feet and 70- 80 feet above sea level in
the planning area. Perched groundwater is an issue in the southern portion of the
planning area and is more prevalent after heavy rainfall.
The chemical quality of the groundwater within the planning area is generally
satisfactory for domestic use. Although the present quality is satisfactory, there may be a
trend toward poorer groundwater due to urban runoff, declining water tables, and saline
intrusion in the future.
Although there is a desire to recharge and replenish the supply of groundwater, the
continued reliance on groundwater to meet current and increasing demand may lower the
water table continuously. Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has
considered establishing a recharge program in the region.
There are some surface water sources within the area. The Willows Wetland serves as
runoff catchment and provides recreational opportunities to the public. Surface waters in
the planning area serve as biological habitats and recreational resources.
3.6.2 Soils
The soils within the planning area consist of loams, sandy loams, clay loam and clay
adobe. Most of the soil in the area drains well and exhibits good percolation. The soils
within the project area are expansive, but standard City practices are in place to control
expansive soils.
The potential for soil to expand when wet and shrink when dry depends on the type and
amount of clay in the soils. Soils with certain types of clay tend to swell or expand when
its water content is increased. They also shrink disproportionately when dry. Highly
expansive soils can cause structural damage to foundations and roads. Landscape
irrigation could concentrate subsurface water and subsequent soil expansion could cause
land slippage and structural damage. High shrink/ swell potential makes a site less
suitable for building, however special grading and construction techniques can mitigate
the problems with expansive soils.
Ground subsidence is caused by decreasing subsurface pressure and can be traced to
pumping of groundwater, natural gas, or oil. The substantial loss of ground fluid creates
a vacuum that gradually causes the sinking to the ground. Subsidence may adversely
impact development, as well as cause damage to underground utilities.
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The City and the surrounding area is subject to subsidence, a gradual sinking of an area
due to subsurface pressures mainly caused by oil and gas extraction within the planning
area. Subsidence is limited to a few inches over several decades and standard building
practices mitigate the impacts it has on structures.
3.6.3 Minerals
Mineral resources include nonrenewable deposits of ore, stone, and earth materials.
Gold, copper, lead, silver, zinc, and manganese deposits are believed to be scattered
throughout the mountains to the east and north of the project areas. The largest known
resources of titanium in California are found in the western San Gabriel Mountains.
The State Division of Mines and Geology has not designated any lands within the
planning area as state classified mineral resource deposit area. Due to the urbanized
nature of Gardena, it is unlikely that any mineral resources will be discovered or mined
within the planning area.
3.7 Flora and Fauna
Gardena has limited important ecological and riparian areas due to the nature of this
urbanized City. Ruderal communities have taken over some open areas and consist of
non- native grasses and weeds.
Riparian plant communities occur around drainage and low areas. Wildlife in Gardena
includes a variety of native and introduced species. Some amphibian species are
seasonally abundant in willow woodlands. Several sensitive animal species may be
present in the are as indicted by their preferred habitats. Some of these areas serve as a
migration corridor as well as supporting diverse wildlife ( source: Willows Wetland
Jurisdictional Delineation, Envicom Corporation, 1994).
The natural climate of the planning area is temperate, Mediterranean climate with limited
water. Prevalent landscaping styles within the planning area are based on a cooler
climate with abundant rainfall. In order to maintain these green lawns and shrubbery,
irrigation is necessary. Excessive watering may be detrimental to native plants and
increase their scarcity in the planning area. To prevent further decline in the limited biota
within the planning area, natural habitat should be preserved and these native species and
their favorable habitat should be incorporated whenever possible into the developed areas
and built landscapes.
3.8 Cultural and Historical Resources
Gardena has a rich and colorful history within the Los Angeles Basin. There is evidence
of human occupation from prehistoric times and originally recorded in 1939 ( source:
City of Gardena, Draft Environmental Impact Report, Smith’s Food & Drug Center, State
Clearinghouse No. 94071008, August 23, 1994).
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In addition, there is evidence of historic resources within the planning area. The amount
of existing cultural resources directly determines the extent of conservation that can be
realized. Due to the built- out nature of the City, it is impossible to examine fully or
recover these resources.
To prevent further declines in quality or availability of historical resources, the City of
Gardena undertook a historical resources survey that it submitted to the Office of Historic
Preservation in the State of California in April of 1981. The intent of the survey was to
create more public awareness in the community’s significant sites, to encourage a
preservation ordinance to be developed at the local level, to increase the level of
preservation activity within the City and to transmit the history of Gardena to its newer
generation.
The entire City was surveyed block- by- block and each building was researched to see if it
might have any architectural, cultural, or historic significance. For their final list, they
chose 111 sites that would give a balance of the history and culture of the City. These
sites include 20 commercial buildings, 82 residential buildings, 4 churches, 2 schools, a
natural area, federal post office and a social hall. Of these, the following were
recommended to be included for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places:
• Allen B. Hobbs Residence, 14307 South Kingsley Drive
• Samuel K. Woodward House, 15309 South Normandie Avenue
• Willows Wetland, Artesia Boulevard and Vermont Avenue
• William A. and Karen M. Wills House, 15625 South Vermont Avenue
• Charles E. Wallin House, 1726 West 145th Street
• John W. Klasgye House, 835 West 145th Street ( has since been removed from the
list) ( source: City of Gardena, Gardena Historical Resources Survey, Final
Report, April 1981).
Since the publication of the Historical Resources Survey in 1981, a number of buildings
have been removed from the list because they are no longer part of the City of Gardena or
they no longer exist. Appendix A to this Element lists all the buildings listed in the
survey and includes a map of their locations ( Figure OSC- 6).
The final results also contain several recommendations to the City, including the
formation of a Cultural Heritage Board to develop a historic preservation plan and an
ordinance that would provide for the designation, preservation and control of
architectural, historical, or cultural landmarks in the City. These landmarks would not
only be those nominated to the National Register but would also include those buildings
considered to be local landmarks. It was hoped that the information contained in the
report would be used by planning staff for future development decisions. Finally, it was
recommended that a follow- up survey be conducted to reflect the current ethnic diversity
within the city. It was hoped by those that undertook the survey that it would foster pride
in the community resulting in more community involvement and interest in the City’s
heritage.
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City of Gardena
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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I. Introduction
The Economic Development Chapter of the Technical Background Report provides an
explanation of local economic conditions that affect the City of Gardena. Section 65030.2
of California’s Planning and Zoning Law states that “ It is the policy of the State
legislature that land use decisions be made with full knowledge of their economic and
fiscal implications, giving consideration to short- term costs and benefits, and their
relationship to long- term environmental impact as well as long- term costs and benefits.”
2 Setting and Existing Conditions
2.1 Employment and Work Force
Unemployment
The unemployment rate in the City of Gardena as of Janua