CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS: March 3, 2026

Drive-Through Moratorium Extended Nearly 11 Months as City Pursues Quality Dining

The Council unanimously adopted Urgency Ordinance No. 26-2604U, extending the city's drive-through restaurant moratorium for an additional 10 months and 15 days, now running through January 21, 2027.

The City's staff report cites the specific concerns for the moratorium: drive-through operations can create concentrated vehicle queuing and high-turnover turning movements that impair traffic and raise collision risk for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists; obstruct drive aisles and emergency access; and generate recurring noise, lighting, litter, and late-hour disturbances near residences. The report also flags that extended drive-through idling measurably increases localized air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

While the original moratorium was adopted in January, the staff report concludes that completing the analyses and drafting permanent zoning amendments will take at least several more months — making the original 45-day window insufficient.

"We have so many fast food restaurants in Carson right now. We're like overwhelmed with them. It really discourages the type of restaurants the Mayor and the Councilmembers are trying to attract to the City." - Councilmember Jim Dear

One public commenter noted that a health-conscious, made-from-scratch drive-through concept is being considered for the University and Central development site, asking the council to stay open-minded if strong proposals emerge. City Attorney confirmed the Council may rescind the moratorium by a future vote — but only in its entirety, not selectively for a single business.

The already-approved Dutch Brothers Coffee on Avalon is not affected by the moratorium.

TransTech Reports $131.8M in Permitted Projects for 2025

The CEO of TransTech Engineers delivered a comprehensive Building and Safety Division update that drew sustained applause from the dais. Over the 12-month period of January through December 2025, the division:

Council members were effusive in their praise. Councilmember Dear noted that before TransTech arrived, plan checks that now take two weeks previously took two to ten months — or longer. Mayor Davis-Holmes credited Councilwoman Rojas for championing the switch to TransTech.

"We were in gridlock in that department for so many years and the number that you posted is staggering. We didn't do that in 10 years." — Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes

Coming soon: Starting March 4th, applicants can view their daily live inspection time slots online. Over-the-counter plan check Thursdays (8 a.m.–12 p.m.) are already in place, with calendar-based appointments launching soon.

Projects in the pipeline include a Dutch Brothers Coffee development on Avalon, a 315-unit housing development (the "Triangle Project") on Avalon, and a facade upgrade at the Avalon and University Drive shopping center where a new Sprouts is slated to open.

Crime Down 12%, Fire Department Fields 911 Calls in February

Assistant Chief Brian Kane of the Los Angeles County Fire Department reported a busy February for Carson, with 911 responses totaling 911 calls, 747 patients seen, and 470 transported. Of those, 342 required basic life support and 128 demanded ALS paramedic intervention.

Outside fires — primarily rubbish and trash fires — made up the majority of incidents, with notable activity along the Interstate 110 corridor near Carson Street and Sepulveda Boulevard. Several incidents were linked to encampments. No significant injuries were reported.

Captain Norman of the Carson Sheriff's Station, who appeared with a broken wrist but insisted she was fine, reported that Part 1 crimes continue to trend downward at approximately 12.3%.

"Last year, due to our street racing operations, calls for service actually decreased about 70%." — Captain Norman, Carson Sheriff's Station

On February 14th, the Sheriff's SA Team conducted a targeted street racing operation: four arrests, five vehicles towed (four impounded for 30 days), two reckless driving arrests, and two infraction citations were recorded.

Councilmember Dr. Hilton flagged a string of car break-ins and catalytic converter thefts on Coltman Ave. near Victoria Park, requesting increased patrol. Mayor Pro Tem. Hicks praised the motorcycle motor officers already deployed to high-incident traffic corridors.

Carson Declares March 8 "International Women's Rosa Parks Day"; City Hall Closes in Honor

In a spirited celebration of Women's History Month, Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes, the City's first African-American woman mayor, presented proclamations to a distinguished group of honorees and proclaimed March 8, 2026, International Women's Day, to be recognized as "International Women's Rosa Parks Day", with City Hall closed in observance. Mayor Davis-Holmes exclaimed that the City of Carson is the only city in the United States to designate the holiday in this way.

"We are the backbone, ladies. We are the families," Mayor Davis-Holmes said. She recalled her own personal experience being a 35-year breast cancer survivor, which inspired the city's annual Women's Health Conference, an event that now draws 800 attendees and features a separate conference track for 300 young women ages 18–30.

The Mayor also announced that the 2026 State of the City Address, scheduled for Thursday March 19, sold out 800 tickets within the first week of availability.

Women's History Month Honorees:

• Dr. Rita Gallardo Good

  VP of Partnership and Policy Engagement at the Campaign for College Opportunity; over 35 years of public service spanning the California State Senate, higher education, and state retirement systems. A proud Carson native, Dr. Good flew in from Sacramento specifically to accept her proclamation.

"If you can dream it, you could see it. And I am my ancestors' wildest dreams." — Dr. Rita Gallardo Good, Women's History Month Honoree

• Dr. Regina Smith

  President, LA County Commission for Women. They advance policy on domestic violence prevention, workplace equity, and health care access across all 88 LA County cities. The Commission raises over $100,000 annually in resilience scholarships for women.

• Honorable Kimberly Dodson

  Judge, Los Angeles County Superior Court. She serves on one of the nation's largest trial court systems and represents, in Mayor Davis-Holmes's words, "a powerful reminder that women belong in every room where decisions are made."

• Carson Women's Issues Commission

  The Chair and commissioners of the Carson's Women's Issues Commission were recognized for their year-round service — from delivering blankets to senior facilities to organizing the annual Women's Health Conference.

City Projects Update

Community & Economic Development Director Nathan Freeman debuted a new developable properties pamphlet — cataloguing the city's most desirable available parcels, with a QR code linking to a live interactive map. The City will utilize the pamphlet at the upcoming ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) conference, to promote opportunity sites for developers seeking to build in the City.

"In my short four months here, I've met with a lot of developers, a lot of business owners who are really interested in the city." — Nathan Freeman, Community & Economic Development Director

The staff report includes project updates from four major City departments:

• Community Development: The Carson Civic Center is among the featured listings; an RFP is expected to be publicly advertised shortly after ICSC. Also flagged: Council requested a status report on potential grant or facade funds for the University & Avalon shopping center, and Mayor Pro Tem. Hicks asked staff to prioritize attracting a grocery store to the President's Tract area in District 3.

• Public Works: Staff is actively conducting community outreach on the Central Avenue retaining wall project. Public Works staff reported achieving roughly a 50% response rate for distributing surveys door-to-door among the approximately 24 closest homes.

• Information Technology: The city's new Multimedia Division is now operational. Separately, the Building & Safety Division launched a new online tool on Mar 4 allowing applicants to view their live daily inspection time slots — eliminating uncertainty about when inspectors will arrive.

• Public Safety/Emergency Management: Updates on public safety projects include the comprehensive camera coverage for City parks, Citywide Intrusion Detection System Update, Upgrading Radio Systems Project, Enhancing Traffic Safety, Public Safety/Emergency Services Community Initiatives, and more.

Council Members Announce District Town Halls

• District 1: Councilman Dr. Jawane Hilton's town hall at Stevenson Park, Thursday March 12 at 6:30 p.m.

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Upcoming City Events:

2026 STATE OF THE CITY

Thursday, March 19, 11 a.m.

Carson Events Center

801 East Carson Street, Carson, 90745

Event Full - Click here to be added to the Waitlist