Poll: Should Hermosa Grow Community Garden?

The Hermosa Beach City Council has unanimously agreed to take one more look at the proposal to grow a community garden in before it takes a vote on allowing permanent space for the project.

Councilman Michael DiVirgilio suggested to move the council's decision to its next meeting in January, when city staffers could present a financial plan and detailed description of why South Park was selected as the garden site location.

The garden would be placed in the northeast corner of the park.

"I don’t think it’ll hurt to postpone it for a month or whenever staff gets back," said Councilman Peter Tucker on Tuesday. "We need to be very clear with where this is going to be and how it’s going to work."

The council two years ago approved a renovation plan for South Park, and then in August agreed to use the park's vacant roller hockey rink as the site until construction in the park began.

The garden now has served as a demonstration until the council decides whether to allow space in the park for a permanent garden (see accompanying city staff report under photos.)

Dr. Lisa Santora, chief medical officer of the Beach Cities Health District, pointed out at the council meeting that the community garden "is fully aligned with Vitality City," and said the district supports the project.

Hermosa Beach resident Ray Waters also spoke in support of the garden, and said it inspired him at home.

Many other residents said that the garden serves as a healthy communal gathering place. "A community garden adds tremendous social value," said garden manager Kari Walker.

All council members said they support the idea of healthy living seen in the garden project. But Councilman Kit Bobko said he could not support the community garden proposal, because it would give public land to a select group of people.

"That is not right. You can’t take from all and give to a few because it matches something you think is important," Bobko said during the council meeting. "All of the taxpayers paid for that property."

Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Duclos, who has shown public support for the community garden project, argued "this garden is being developed at no cost to the city.

"It’s in a portion of the park that is not being used for anything," he said, adding that the public has the opportunity to participate in the garden. "It's an additional use of public space. It’s not a privatization."

Despite arguments for and against giving park space to the garden, DiVirgilio said there were still some unclear factors, including: "What is the city going to get out of this property?"