Redondo Beach Measure ART Explained: What's on the Nov. 3, 2026 Ballot

by Kevin Scott

Illustrative stock photo. Photo by Greg Thames on Pexels.

Short answer: Redondo Beach Measure ART is a General Plan and zoning amendment on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. It allows more commercial building on Artesia and Aviation Boulevards, parts of Pacific Coast Highway, and industrial land north of Manhattan Beach Boulevard. It also lowers allowed housing density in some places and raises it in others. A simple majority passes it (City Attorney's impartial analysis).

What is Measure ART?

The official ballot question asks whether to amend the Redondo Beach General Plan and Zoning Ordinance "to support increased commercial activity in key areas of the City," including new floor area ratio (FAR) caps, height limits, and rooftop dining along Artesia and Aviation, industrial properties north of Manhattan Beach Boulevard, and certain commercial properties along PCH, and "to reduce the allowed housing density for some residential and mixed-use properties in the City" (City Clerk).

Why is it on the ballot?

Redondo's Charter Article XXVII requires a public vote on certain major changes in allowable land use. The City Council approved the amendments on Aug. 4 and Aug. 11, 2026, and they now need voter approval (full measure text).

What changes on Artesia, Aviation, PCH and north of MB Blvd

FAR is the ratio of a building's floor area to the size of its lot. A higher FAR allows a bigger building on the same lot. The numbers below come from City Attorney Joy Ford's impartial analysis (impartial analysis) and the city FAQ (Measure ART FAQ).

Area or topic	Today	If Measure ART passes
Artesia and Aviation: max FAR	0.6	1.5
Artesia and Aviation: height	30 ft, 2 stories	45 ft, 3 stories
PCH commercial: max FAR	0.5	1.0; some parcels rezoned from mixed-use or residential to commercial
Industrial north of MB Blvd: max FAR	0.7	1.0
New zones	None	Mixed-use transit center zone; industrial flex overlay (R&D, incubator, offices, hotels)
Housing density	35 or 28 units/acre in affected areas	30 units/acre (down in some areas, up in others)
Coastal zone parts	Current rules	Take effect only after California Coastal Commission approval
Public institutional zones (schools, Civic Center, Beach Cities Health District)	Current rules	No change; measure does not apply
Required new housing units	None	None; the city FAQ says it does not require additional units

Rooftop dining would need an Administrative Use Permit and would count toward floor area, per the full measure text (measure text). Some Artesia and Aviation areas would become neighborhood commercial, per the impartial analysis.

What supporters and opponents say

Mayor Jim Light and four council members signed the argument in favor. Councilman Zein Obagi Jr. told Easy Reader: "Giving a reason for a building to be reconstructed, or tear it down… Right now there is no reason; you can't build anything bigger than you have" (Easy Reader).

The official argument against says the 53-page measure "combines commercial, residential, inland, and coastal changes affecting separate corridors and neighborhoods into one all or nothing vote" (South Bay Tide).

What does it cost to put it on the ballot?

Putting it on the Nov. 3 ballot costs about $250,000, according to L.A. County Elections and City Clerk Eleanor Manzano, via Easy Reader. Holding it at a later city election would have cost an estimated $30,000 to $50,000. Obagi said, "The difference is worth it, considering the commercial economic stimulus to North Redondo we intend on achieving" (Easy Reader).

What a yes or no vote means

A yes vote adopts the General Plan and zoning changes above. A no vote keeps the rules we have today. This post explains the measure; it is not a recommendation, and it is not legal or tax advice. Read the full text and the City Attorney's impartial analysis on redondo.org.

Where to vote in Redondo

Drop boxes are open 24 hours through 8 PM Nov. 3, including the Main Library (303 N. PCH) and the North Branch Library (2000 Artesia Blvd). Vote centers include Aviation Park Gymnasium (1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd) and Alta Vista Park Community Center (715 Julia Ave) (City Clerk; Patch).

FAQ

What does Measure ART do?

It amends Redondo's General Plan and zoning to allow more commercial development on Artesia/Aviation, parts of PCH, and industrial land north of MB Blvd, and adjusts allowed housing density in some areas.