For years, speculation ebbed and flowed surrounding the property known as Butcher Hill, located on Hawthorne Blvd at Via Valmonte. In 2017, the developer approached the city of Torrance with a plan to develop a 5-story, 248 unit apartment building on this property. The effort is designated as the “Butcher-Solana Residential Project”, aka “Solana Torrance.”
Naturally, a project of this size would impact a significant part of Torrance, most especially the Hollywood Riviera, along with nearby communities like Palos Verdes Estates and Rolling Hills Estates. The RHA will use this page to keep up to date with the status of this project to keep our members and the entire community informed. The RHA Board has met, and has serious concerns over the impact this project may have on the Riviera’s traffic, air quality, noise, and precedent for future development, and we are working with counterparts in other communities to coordinate our response.
Your comments and questions are welcome.
In early 2017, a preliminary EIR (Environmental Impact Report) scoping study was prepared by the Torrance Community Development Department and was presented at an August 10 scoping meeting, which was attended by RHA representatives. Shown here is an excerpt from that hearing, courtesy of Torrance Citicable:
Feedback from this meeting will result in a final EIR that will form the basis for decisions on the Butcher-Solana project. Comments are being accepted until September 18, 2017 and may be sent to the Torrance Community Development Department, c/o Danny Santana: dsantana@torranceca.gov
Please copy us with your comments or questions sent to the City:
b-s@hollywoodriviera.org
You may wish to study the extensive preliminary EIR findings listed here.
This is the time frame we expect, although highly subject to change:
- Initial EIR Study Performed, Community Development Dept Public Scoping Hearing: 8/10/2017
- EIR Scoping Public Comment Period ended: 9/18/17
- Public Information Meeting hosted by League of Women Voters Feb 24 2018
Click here to view meeting video .
March 7 2018 RHA General Meeting – focus on Butcher-Solana:
Over 100 area residentsheard a presentation given by Pete Verenkoff describing the project, the expected timeline, and some of the expected impacts to the community should the development be realized. An excellent question and answer session ensued.
Click here for the complete meeting presentation
Announced June 2019
- Draft EIR posted (studies updated / significant issues addressed/mitigated): https://www.torranceca.gov/our-city/community-development/planning/butcher-solana
- Draft EIR 45 day Public Comment Period ends: August 5 2019
- Planning Commission Decision Package (Final EIR, General Plan Amendment, Zone Change, CUP, Precise Plan, Division of Lot, Community Development Department Recommendation) posted for 1-2 week public review: tbd September 2019
- Planning Commission Public Hearing, Review and Decision: tbd late 2019
- City Council Public Hearing, Review and Decision: tbd 2020
We will attempt to keep this summary of the project updated, as long as necessary. There are a lot of complexities related to the planning process, zoning, the city’s General Plan, California environmental rules, and the Hillside Overlay that will come into play, but we will attempt to present the most relevant information, along with the RHA’s recommendations along the way.
Published articles:
- Feb 10 2017 The Daily Breeze Apartment complex planned for Butcher Hill near city limits of Torrance and Palos Verdes Estates
- Aug 2 2017 The Real Deal: ReyLenn Properties plans 248-unit apartment project in Torrance
- Aug 3 2017 The Daily Breeze Environmental study looms for proposed 300-unit Torrance apartment complex
Solana website: https://solanatorrance.com/
Riviera Homeowners Association 