Rolling Hills Estates Briefs
Peninsula News – Thursday, August 16, 2007

Firm to conduct downtown economic analysis

   Though city officials may have nixed plans for a Peninsula Village in Rolling Hills Estates' downtown commercial district, their interest in the often-struggling area's economic health remains keen.

    City Council on Tuesday unanimously voted to pay $44,000 to Economic & Planning Systems Inc., or EPS, for preparation of a financial analysis of the Peninsula Center commercial district located between Hawthorne and Crenshaw boulevards. EPS plans to complete the study in 60 days.

    Staff hopes the analysis will help council determine the amount and type of development appropriate in the district. Previous proposals of 900, 450 and 375 residential dwelling units downtown met with resistance from many in the public and two council members.

    “The South Bay Cities Council of Governments has been working on an analysis of whether smart growth works,” said Mayor Susan Seamans. “You have to have planning and economic development go hand in hand".

    “I have to congratulate us [city officials] ... for seeing that there's a need for a study like this,” she added.

    “I'll look at [the South Bay Cities Council of Governments study] with a great deal of interest” said Councilman Steve Zuckerman. “The results of smart growth have not been as advertised.”