Planning Commission - Revised - 2026-03-19
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Long Beach Planning Commission approved a major modification to the Mid Block Civic Center project at 321 West Ocean Boulevard, increasing residential units from 580 to 729 while reducing retail from 40,000 to 2,651 square feet. The commission also approved adaptive reuse of the historic First National Bank Building at 115 Pine Avenue into 69 residential units with 20% affordable housing, and a new Verizon wireless facility at 2640 Lakewood Boulevard.
Key Decisions (5)
Mid Block Civic Center Modification at 321 West Ocean Boulevard
Modified previously approved 2020 project from 580 to 729 dwelling units in two 8-story buildings, reduced retail from 40,000 to 2,651 square feet, changed parking from 885 subterranean to 817 at-grade spaces, and converted Cedar Avenue from vehicular to pedestrian paseo. Project includes 73 moderate-income affordable units (10%). Developer: Mill Creek. Applicant requested alternative compliance method for inclusionary housing based on 2016 project agreement predating city's inclusionary ordinance.
Adaptive Reuse at 115 Pine Avenue (First National Bank Building)
Approved conversion of 6-story historic 1906 landmark office building to 69 residential units with 3,345 square foot rooftop community garden. Project includes 11% very low income (8 units) and 9% moderate income (6 units) affordable housing. Existing restaurants La Opera and Alegria remain. Developer: Ultra Unit Architectural Studio, represented by Cameron Crockett.
Verizon Wireless Facility at 2640 Lakewood Boulevard
Approved conditional use permit for new rooftop wireless telecommunications facility on 13-story hotel building (former Holiday Inn, built 1968). Installation includes 20 panel antennas, 12 remote radio units, one 4-foot microwave dish, extending 25 feet above roof height. Equipment to remain unscreened as screening would be more visually intrusive.
Director's Report - Filing
Filed director's report noting microenterprise home kitchen operations (MECO) zoning amendments continued to April 14 city council hearing, and mobile food facilities amendments scheduled for city council next week.
Minutes Approval - March 5, 2026
Approved minutes from planning commission meeting of March 5, 2026.
Development Activity (3)
Mid Block Civic Center (Center Block)
729 dwelling units in two 8-story buildings (364 north, 365 south), 2,651 sq ft ground floor commercial, 817 parking spaces in 3 at-grade levels, 4.59 acres subdivided into 2.04 and 2.55 acre lots. Unit mix: 20 studios, 529 one-bedroom, 130 two-bedroom, 50 three-bedroom. Phased construction with phase 2 intended to start before phase 1 occupancy.
First National Bank Building Adaptive Reuse
69 residential units (13 studios, 35 one-bedroom including manager unit, 21 two-bedroom) in 6-story 61,634 sq ft historic 1906 landmark building. 3,345 sq ft rooftop community garden addition. Zero parking (AB 2987 exempt). 60 bike/scooter spaces in basement. Existing restaurants La Opera and Alegria remain on ground floor.
Verizon Wireless Facility
Rooftop telecommunications facility on 13-story hotel: 20 panel antennas, 12 remote radio units, 1 four-foot microwave dish, equipment extending 25 feet above roof height, unscreened design.
Market Signals (5)
Commercial Demand
Downtown Long Beach retail market remains weak post-COVID, with existing vacancies including a vacant grocery store two blocks from the Civic Center site, leading to 90% reduction in planned retail at Mid Block project.
Housing Demand
Post-pandemic shift toward larger residential units with flexible work-from-home space, driving Mid Block project to reduce studios from 118 to 20 units while increasing 1-3 bedroom units significantly.
Housing Demand
City has entitled only 6.2% of moderate income RHNA allocation with just 0.3% permitted, indicating strong need for moderate-income housing production.
Commercial Demand
Office-to-residential adaptive reuse gaining traction as underperforming office buildings like 115 Pine Avenue convert to housing in transit-rich downtown locations.
Infrastructure
Capital markets constraints limiting construction loan sizes are driving developers to phase large projects into smaller financeable components rather than single-phase construction.