Staffing at El Retiro Library Being Discussed at Commission Meeting Nov. 10

Posted on November 7, 2025 by bmerryman

The public is invited and encouraged to attend the next City of Torrance Library Commission Meeting that will be held to voice opinions, experiences and any concerns of “Open Plus” (also called “Extended Access”) at El Retiro Library.
When: Monday, Nov, 10 at 6:00PM          
Where: El Retiro Library, 126 Vista Del Parque, Redondo Beach, CA 90277 (Even though El Retiro Library has a Redondo Beach mailing address, it is a City of Torrance Library.)   

Library Administration and The City of Torrance are proposing to increase the hours of Open Plus at El Retiro Library while decreasing the hours with staff present. The latest proposal is to have staff present at the library only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays for 8 hours per day. Otherwise the library would operate under Open Plus. That is where those over 18 years old who have a Torrance Library card can fill out a form, have a tour, and then can access El Retiro Library when no staff is present to obtain library materials for self check-out or to use the library facility during certain hours. Unlike other City of Torrance Libraries, El Retiro Library would have more library access hours without staff.

Please come to the Library Commission meeting Nov. 10 to voice your opinions, experience or/and concerns regarding “Open Plus” at El Retiro Library.

You will be allowed 1-2 minutes to speak. They require 10 copies of any handouts if you bring anything to pass out to the Commission.

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Update from Torrance City Traffic Commission Meeting

Posted on October 12, 2025 by bmerryman

The 3-way stop at Newton Street, 242nd Street, and Walnut Street has been problematic, and it was a topic of discussion at the recent Torrance City Traffic Commission meeting. Many neighbors attended and spoke about concerns regarding the Triangle Intersection and speeding on Newton Street.

Next steps that the Commission agreed upon include:

  • The City will study traffic speeds on Newton Street to better understand how fast and how many cars are using the route.
  • The City agreed to look into trimming overgrown trees at the pocket park to improve visibility on Newton Street and Walnut Street, and a sign to announce Walnut St. “Road Ahead”
  • The police department will collect more data on traffic and speed since no current data was available.

Bottom Line: The City is now focusing on gathering real data and prioritizing safety — an important step forward. Special thanks to the Newton Street Community Group for its engagement, support and continued follow up to ensure safer streets for everyone.

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Traffic Hearing For Newton St. Intersection

Posted on September 30, 2025 by RMC

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6/17 Torrance City Council Meeting: Discussion on Airport & Hillside Overlay Ordinances

Posted on June 15, 2025 by bmerryman

We posted previously about the opportunity to share your views on updating the Hillside Overlay at the next Torrance City Council meeting. The Council will also discuss adopting an ordinance to amend the Torrance City Code to once again allow Touch and Go, full stop-taxi back, and low approaches at the Torrance Airport (item 10B).  Last year these operations were prohibited by the Council because of the residents’ protests against increasing airport noise.  If you would like to share your opinion on this issue, consider attending the upcoming City Council meeting, emailing City Council Members or offering comments if you can’t attend.

When: Tuesday, June 17 at 6:30PM

Location: LeRoy J. Jackson Council Chamber, 3031 Torrance Blvd.

Email Information: CityCouncil@TorranceCA.gov

Offer Comments: Note that comments submitted before 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025, will be published for public review prior to the meeting. Comments received after 5:30 p.m., but prior to the adjournment of the meeting will be added to the record. You can submit your comments here: https://torranceca.primegov.com/public/portal?fromiframe=true (Use the comment bubble on the right)

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Torrance Planning Commission/Hillside Overlay Ordinance Update

Posted on June 2, 2025 by bmerryman

Times have changed since 1977. That’s when the Hillside Overlay Ordinance was adopted into the Torrance Municipal Code to “provide development standards, design review criteria, and limitations for hillside and coastal development.” (https://www.torranceca.gov/)

Recent Events

As expressed by Torrance Planning Commissioner Ron Riggs at the May 7 Planning Commission meeting, residents should be aware that the Overlay is “being beaten up” in recent events, and to “spread the word” to the community.  So we are doing just that.

At the earlier March 19th Planning Commission hearing, the Commissioners discussed a building project (item 8C) that required objective standards to be applied, which are not present in the current Hillside Overlay.  As the frustrated Commissioners expressed to the public, due to the lack of the Overlay’s objective standards, “our hands are tied.”  They were unable to apply the standards of the Hillside Overlay to the project.

The Commissioners discussed the possibility of adding the necessary objective standards to bring the Hillside Overlay Ordinance up to date. 

Upcoming Council Meeting

If you are interested in sharing your views on updating the Hillside Overlay, the next City Council meeting will be on Tuesday, June 17th, 2025. Torrance residents can offer comment for the Council to consider in tasking the Planning Commission with updating the Hillside Overlay Ordinance with the objective standards it needs,

Here are the Council Meeting details:

  • When: Tuesday, June 17 at 6:30PM
  • Location: The LeRoy J. Jackson Council Chamber, 3031 Torrance Blvd.

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