The City of Imperial Beach undertook an update of its commercial zoning and land use designations in the late 2000s.  The City’s commercial corridors were generally characterized by older, obsolete buildings and a lack of pedestrian and visitor amenities.   The purpose of the zoning update was to encourage sufficient commercial development and to allow for suitable mixed-use development along the City’s commercial corridors.  KMA assisted the City and its planning team in evaluating alternative land uses and building configurations, including a detailed market assessment and financial feasibility testing.

Three important components of the KMA analysis included:

• Determination of the total potential retail space demand
• Strategic recommendations in terms of optimal land use mix
• Identification of appropriate building types based on developer outreach

The City Council approved the updated zoning and General Plan amendment in late 2012.  Since that time, the City has seen the completion or start of three catalyst projects:

Pier South, a 78-suite oceanfront hotel with dining and conference facilities, completed in January 2014

The Post, a 30-unit affordable apartment complex combined with redevelopment of the American Legion Hall, completed in Fall 2013

The Breakwater, a 45,000-square-foot (SF) community shopping center planned by Sudberry Development at 9^th and Palm, the central crossroads of the City.