They finally did it!! After decades of hearing from hillside residents and six years of meetings, emails and urging from the Riviera Homeowners Association, the Torrance city staff came back with a draft View Equity ordinance which was approved unanimously by city council at the last council meeting on Oct. 4!!!
The View Equity ordinance is based on the model of our neighboring city of Rolling Hills Estates, and will give residents a process to resolve view disputes that cannot be resolved in informal conversation. The draft ordinance may be found here as part of the Oct 4 meeting agenda, along with attachments presented by city staff. Soon this will be updated with minor modifications and incorporated into the Torrance Municipal Code. You can also view the city council meeting deliberations (item 9D on the agenda) by clicking here.
We think this is long overdue. Our hope is that just by having an ordinance on the books, neighbors will be more likely to trim trees before they become a problem, and not grow trees to cause an intentional view obstruction. If the ordinance acts as a deterrent–that’s great!! If disputes cannot be otherwise resolved, at least now there is a path that will lead to a resolution.
Thank you to all of you who came out repeatedly for many long nights at council meetings, community meetings, individual meetings with mayor and council, visits with neighboring planning directors in other cities, emails and calls. They all helped bring forward an issue that has long been ignored.
Along with the Hillside Overlay ordinance, the new View Equity ordinance will enhance the value of homes with ocean and city views, reduce the ambiguity over responsibility among neighbors to preserve each others’ property values, and retain the character of this unique “Jewel of the South Bay”.
PCH Safety improvement project
Per the Torrance construction start notice, beginning Monday October 17, work will begin on the safety improvements along PCH which consists of tree removal, a new guard rail, and fencing. Work will proceed through January; working hours are weekdays from 9AM to 3PM. Southbound PCH between Janet Lane and Calle Mayor will be reduced from two lanes to one during working hours. Parking will be limited at times along the residential side street parallel to PCH.
Stretch of PCH impacted by safety improvement project
The RHA will continue to work with Torrance Public Works, Caltrans, and our neighbors along PCH to promote the best outcome for this project. It’s important to note that the second project phase for incorporating new landscaping is tentative for now, and dependent on the outcome of the first, safety-related phase. For more detailed information, view the city’s project website.
Membership drive underway
Our annual fall membership is now underway; we need your support to continue our ability to represent our community, provide college scholarships and other support for our neighbors, bring you news that impacts your street, your neighborhood, and present meaningful topics for our meetings which remain open to all residents.
Please visit our membership page for a printable copy of your renewal form, or use the Paypal button to quickly and easily register your support for the RHA. We thank you for your ongoing commitment.
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Riviera Homeowners Association 