Developer of proposed ‘sustainable commercial center’ seeks changes to La Mirada’s zoning ordinance; public hearing planned Thursday

The La Mirada Planning Commission will host a public hearing Thursday to discuss zoning ordinance changes that have been requested by the developer behind a proposed 12,000-square-foot, sustainability-focused mixed-use commercial center.

YF Synergy, which is working to build The Grand at La Mirada project at 13525 S. Beach Blvd., has asked the city to make several amendments to Title 21 of the city’s zoning ordinance.

Billed as the city’s “most sustainable commercial project to date,’ the two-story commercial center would include restaurants, retail shops, an express vehicle washing facility, office space, eight electric vehicle charging stations and ample bicycle parking, according to a statement from the developer.

“Consistent with California’s energy goals, fifty percent of The Grand at La Mirada’s energy needs will be met by renewable energy sources, such as its seven thousand solar panels,” the statement said. “It will also recycle at least 50% of the water associated with the vehicle washing facility.”

The proposed zoning ordinance changes include recognizing the category of “sustainable commercial center,” or SCC, as a principally permitted use under La Mirada’s General Zoning District, according to city documents.

Site plan for 'The Grand at La Mirada'

The requested changes would also allow “automated vehicle washing facilities” within SCCs to avoid obtaining conditional use permits and be exempted from existing “drive-through facility standards.”

Restaurants within SCCs would be permitted to provide parking at the ratio normally required for retail use, rather than the usual restaurant under the proposed amendments.

YF Synergy representatives said the zoning changes would not only benefit The Grand at La Mirada project, but also encourage the development of additional “sustainable commercial centers” throughout the city.

Under the proposal, projects would only be categorized as SCCs if they meet “the highest levels of sustainability,” according to a YF Synergy statement.

The criteria would include “net zero greenhouse gas emissions;” at least 50% of energy generated by “alternative energy equipment and devices – such as solar panels;” at least one electric vehicle charging station for every 2,000 square feet of gross building floor area; and others, the statement added.

City officials and the developer have both asked for public input on the proposed zoning ordinance changes during Thursday’s Planning Commission meeting, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at La Mirada City Hall Council Chambers, 13700 La Mirada Blvd. The agenda can be accessed online at cityoflamirada.org/home/showpublisheddocument/16292/638040103225130000.

11/20/22 UPDATE: An overflow crowd attended the La Mirada Planning Commission meeting this past Thursday. After hearing all comments during the public hearing, the commission voted unanimously to reject any ordinance change to accommodate this project, thus it seems, squashing it. The La Mirada City Council will make the final decision and the item is expected to be on the agenda at their next regularly scheduled meeting December 13th.