More community meetings could be scheduled for residents to share their thoughts on the proposed gateway signage to replace the old Belmont Shore sign that was removed earlier this year after a vehicle and termites damaged it.

The Belmont Shore Parking and Business Improvement Area Advisory Commission met Thursday and is nearing a vote on the sign, but still needs to work out small details.

Signs could be installed at the east and west ends of the business corridor, including the intersections of Second Street and Bay Shore Avenue and Second Street and Livingston.

Commissioner Ryan Hoffman, who’s been leading the design effort, said he thought the sign’s base-post was too big and said the commission should consider what kind of lights should be installed in the lettering that will read “Welcome to Belmont Shore.”

Currently, the sign resembles one at the Redondo Beach pier, which has a small red flag atop “Redondo Beach The Pier.”

“It does seem kind of odd that we borrowed from Redondo Beach and are using the pole design from Belmont Heights, not Belmont Shore,” said Julie Dean, a resident who attended the meeting.

The base of the pole is currently modeled after the historic Belmont Heights street lamps. The design could change over the next few months with more feedback from the public and the commission.

The signs are expected to cost about $40,000 each and be paid for by the commission out of parking meter revenue.

Matt Pederson, co-owner of Legends and chair of the commission, said that the body should hold additional meetings or form a committee that would allow it to be more flexible with how it engages the public over the next few months.

“The kind of response I’m hearing on the sign, I think it’s going to be one of those things that require more effort so we can get more consensus,” Pederson said, noting that there are residents who are in favor and against the sign.

Pederson also called for some sort of portal to be created for members of the public who can’t make it to the upcoming meetings can still send their thoughts to the commission.

The commission typically meets once per month and has traditionally taken December off because of the holidays. It’s unclear when the additional meetings will be scheduled but Pederson said Thursday that the commission was targeting early 2023 for ordering the sign and having it installed.

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