Building a Better Redondo About Us - Grass Roots Redondo Residents

About Us

Building a Better Redondo is a Political Action Committee formed to support the "Initiative Charter Amendment To Require Voter Approval of Major Changes in Allowable Land Use" in the City of Redondo Beach, California.

We are a grass-roots organization made up of Redondo residents who are concerned with rampant over-development and the loss of business in Redondo. We care about Redondo and want to preserve the quality of life now and for future generations. We are happy to tell you more about us and the initiative, so please email at: info@buildingabetterredondo.org

History - In the Beginning

After the Heart of the City development was stopped by residents, discussions naturally led many of us to explore ideas about how to stop the rampant overdevelopment happening in Redondo.

Downzoning, caps, and infrastructure adequacy were discussed as methods of controlling overdevelopment but voting seemed to have the most positive outcome for today and into the future - and it resonated with Redondo residents.

In 2006, after the City reversed the Planning Commission’s recommendation and increased the housing density for a part of the old Heart of the City area east of Catalina Avenue, the Building a Better Redondo PAC was formed.

At this point the City’s overdevelopment tactics became clear – make major land use changes small enough so that it will not cause residents to submit another city-wide referendum. These small dense developments equal one thing: overdevelopment.

Timeline of the Initiative History 2002-2008 here

Leadership

We asked longtime community leader and Redondo resident Jim Light to take the lead of these efforts and he accepted, becoming the Chairman of Building a Better Redondo.
(Right - Jim Light pictured with family)

Soon after Don Vangeloff joined us as treasurer.
Gale Hazeltine is our BBR Volunteer Coordinator.
John Jenkins is BBR's Signature Coordinator.
Rob and Linda Moffat head up our BBR Support Team.
Jim Tortorelli heads up our BBR Organizing Committee.
Jillaine and Charley Force are our Families for BBR lead.
Mimi and Andrew Andersen are Graphics and Web support.

You can reach Jim, Don, Mimi and Andrew or any of the BBR volunteers at - info@buildingabetterredondo.org

Most importantly have been our Redondo volunteers who heard about our efforts and showed up to spend their free time and countless hours getting signatures - without them we would not have Measure DD.

We will surely forget to name some people but want to especially mention:
- Brigitte Brand
- Flo Smith
- James Okimura
- Jess Money
- Flo Swiger
- Henry Ikeda
- Mike Patino
- Bill Busch
- Rob Chapman

Our group consists of over 600 residents of Redondo Beach with several members from outside the City. Many of us are long-time residents while some are newbies here less than a few years. Here are just a few of our supporters.

We love Redondo and care about it's future. Please help us in our efforts and November 2008 VOTE YES on Measure DD.

Learn more about land use changes and how it directly affects you in Why Measure DD

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History - continued Since 2006 ...

As BBR began to craft the Initiative, the City was busy attempting to develop over 200 condos in the historic business area of Torrance Blvd. near the pier.

During this time, BBR helped local residents fight off the Torrance Blvd. condos by doing a traffic mitigation study - which clearly showed the detrimental affect to the surrounding neighborhoods and local intersections.

We argued that if the City would upgrade this critical commercial corridor to the Pier instead of promising residential zoning to property owners - the area would see improvement rather than sit in blight "waiting" for the next big zoning change.