April General Meeting Recap

Posted on May 4, 2026 by Catherine Modesitt, RHA VP

On April 21st, the RHA held its first general meeting of 2026 and Board elections via Zoom.

Board Election Results:

President Elizabeth Spatz, VP (Comms) Gina Magee, VP (Membership) Catherine Modesitt, Treasurer Linda Schwartz

Hillside Overlay Ordinance (HOO) Update

A major focus of the meeting was the Hillside Overlay Ordinance. Kathryn Dunican, a Riviera homeowner from the “Protect Our Homes” community group, spoke about the following:

  • Rewriting the current HOO to protect views/property values with objective language
  • The state laws which create ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) loopholes versus local authority over objective standards
  • Multiple two-story ADUs blocking neighbors’ views currently under construction
  • Challenging the city’s claims that their “hands are tied” regarding enforcing HOO provisions—other cities successfully enforce the HOO

Residents concerned about the HOO are encouraged to attend the City Council meeting on May 19th at 6 PM, where Michelle Ramirez is planning to present the same info as the February 18th planning commission meeting.

Can’t attend? Email City Council members in advance.

Fire Safety & Development Awareness

Joan Davidson, of California Cities for Local Control, discussed the upcoming screening of Small is Beautiful (6:30 PM, May 15th, Hess Park, Rancho Palos Verdes). This documentary follows a rural community battling a massive luxury development that threatens a critical wildlife habitat and puts residents’ lives at risk in a fire-prone landscape. Now that areas of the Hollywood Riviera are included in the recently updated CalFire Hazard Severity Zone map, the film is especially relevant. Local control advocate and candidate for City Treasurer Mike Griffiths will also be speaking.

Local Issues & Community Updates

Jean Adelsman, author of “Take Back Torrance” newsletter and former managing editor of The Daily Breeze, suggested residents educate themselves on where candidates in the upcoming elections (June 2) stand on these issues:

  • District 5 candidates on the HOO
  • Robinson Helicopter using south runway at Torrance Airport
  • Leaded gas still being used at the Torrance Airport
  • $27 million dollar annexation of El Camino Village/College/Alondra Park that could cost Torrance $11 million annually
  • Friendship Cities programs—$350K spent, with zero return, per city staff report

RHA Updates & Improvements

RHA President Elizabeth Spatz discussed the RHA’s continued outreach efforts under our new Vice President of Communications, Gina Magee. Not only does The Riviera Reporter have a new look, but the RHA has a Facebook page. Our April 6th Candidate Forum drew over 150 attendees and was featured in The Daily Breeze. as well.

We’re still looking for someone to join our Executive Board as Secretary and a volunteer with experience in website design. For more information, email us at info@hollywoodriviera.org.

Filed under: General Meeting, Hillside Overlay Ordinance, RHA Board Elections, The Riviera Reporter, Torrance Airport, Torrance City Council, Torrance Elections | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on April General Meeting Recap

The 2026 RHA Scholarship Recipients

Posted on April 27, 2026 by Catherine Modesitt, RHA VP

This April, the RHA awarded our annual scholarships to South High seniors Luke Kim and Madelyn Lee. Luke maintained a 4.1 GPA while earning multiple Congressional Gold and Presidential Volunteer awards, coaching tennis, and developing Holoteach Inc. (which utilizes 3-D projection to aid visual learners). Madelyn is a founding member and officer of the nonprofit Hope Stitch (which raises money for those battling cancer), a volunteer at Torrance Memorial Medical Center and Seaside Elementary, and Vice-President of the Apollo-Athena service club at South—and she manages all this while achieving a 4.6 GPA!

Both Luke and Madelyn are also athletes: Luke is co-captain of the playoff-bound Boys Tennis Team, while Madelyn has won national awards with South High Dance.

While Madelyn is still debating where to pursue biology (or neurobiology) as a college freshman and Luke is considering the best path forward for business, the RHA has no doubt that both of our scholarship winners will be successful on whatever college campus they ultimately choose.

Congrats to Madelyn & Luke!

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April 21st General Meeting

Posted on April 19, 2026 by Catherine Modesitt, RHA VP

The RHA will hold its spring General Meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, starting at 7:30 PM. We will briefly share our 2026 activities, followed by a vote on the RHA Officer Slate for 2026-2028 (you must be a current RHA member for your vote to count). After the election, we will have guest speakers and Q&A sessions.

Zoom Link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83073291184?pwd=AsMxf24OtNVE6t0SpxdAclNLaGvWnH.1

Filed under: General Meeting, RHA Board Elections, Torrance City Council, Torrance Elections, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on April 21st General Meeting

RHA & SNA Candidate Forum

Posted on April 7, 2026 by Catherine Modesitt, RHA VP

Last night the RHA & the Seaside Neighborhood Association hosted a local candidate forum at South High’s Performing Arts Center. The candidates for District 5’s City Council seat, Torrance Treasurer*, and Torrance Mayor spoke for two hours before a crowd of over 150 residents. The candidates gave their positions on everything from household vending in Seaside during their “Christmas Lights” season to continuing the “Friendship Cities” program.

Here’s a partial clip of Mayoral Candidate Sharon Kalani:

Due to technical difficulties, we were unable to livestream the forum. However, SNA was able to record everything except for the first two minutes of opening statements from City Council Candidates Betty Lieu and Michelle Brooks. You can watch the recording on SNA’s YouTube Channel here.

Thanks to all the candidates, the attendees, and TUSD’s South High for making last night a success!

*Unfortunately, Treasurer Candidate Charles Deemer did not respond to the RHA’s invitation to attend the Forum. Last night, however, he provided the following statement for us to share:

Filed under: General Meeting, Hillside Overlay Ordinance, Torrance Airport, Torrance City Council, Torrance Elections | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off on RHA & SNA Candidate Forum

The Spring 2026 Riviera Reporter Is Here

Posted on March 24, 2026 by Catherine Modesitt, RHA VP

To receive a full copy of The Riviera Reporter emailed to you, become an RHA member today! Join here.

Not sure if your membership has lapsed? Email dues@hollywoodriviera.org to check your status.

Filed under: General Meeting, RHA Board Elections, The Riviera Reporter | Comments Off on The Spring 2026 Riviera Reporter Is Here

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