The Housing Element hits MB’s zoning code Tuesday — and how to weigh in
The one thing. The Housing Element — the state-approved plan for where Manhattan Beach must allow new housing — reaches the zoning code Tuesday: a public hearing June 16 at 6 PM on the ordinance writing five of its programs into the city’s zoning and coastal rules. The overlay fight, explained: Our explainer → Want to weigh in? An eComment takes about two minutes, due by noon Tuesday — Comment here →
Your money. If a water agency paid you to replace your lawn, California doesn’t tax the rebate (through 2026). And a last call: Monday, June 15 — FTB WebPay takes five minutes (cards can slow refunds); a CPA confirms two numbers: your PTE prepay (half last year’s elective tax, $1,000 minimum) and your LLC fee tier.
At City Hall. Hermosa’s next budget balances on paper; the June 9 debate was over how. The Chamber wants visitor money — hotel taxes, including short-term-rental back taxes, plus parking — tapped before new costs hit local businesses; residents say the $3.2 million gap was closed again with one-time fixes. Adoption comes June 23, the night the citywide fee hearing resumes. Our plain-English digest →
Schools. MBUSD’s final cuts landed at 14.8 teaching positions (FTE) — down from 40.4 in March, after 35 early retirements absorbed most of it. The budget setting next year’s staffing gets its hearing June 17 and an adoption vote June 18. Our full take → And congrats, Costa — graduation was June 11, and the orchestras play Walt Disney Concert Hall June 25. Tickets →
The pulse. Good news, actually: MBPD’s 2025 tally has crime reports down 6% — burglary down 29% — in a year property crime fell double digits in big cities nationwide. Violent reports ticked up on small raw numbers. The numbers + open questions →
This week.
• Sat–Sun 6/13–14: Hermosa Fine Arts Festival — HB calendar
• Sat 6/13: Tea ceremony with Master Shingo Murayama, noon–4 PM (MB) — MB calendar
• Tue 6/16: MB council — housing ordinance hearing, fall election call — Agenda
• Sat 6/20: South Bay Paddle (6 AM) + Mayor Detoy’s beach cleanup (10 AM, HB) — HB calendar · free paper shredding, 9–11 AM (MB) — MB calendar
• Sun 6/21: MB Juneteenth Celebration & Concert, 2–7 PM — MB calendar
One question. The crime table can’t see your street; you can. What’s changed on your block — more cameras, more daytime foot traffic, a break-in, nothing? Hit reply; we read everything.