Posted on August 15, 2019 by Riviera Homeowners Association
This meeting has been rescheduled to Sept 17. If you have any questions, please contact the Planning Division at (310) 618-5990.
The Torrance City Council Community Planning and Design Committee will be meeting to discuss “proposed amendments to the Torrance Municipal Code pertaining to the regulation of Short Term Rental (STR) uses Citywide.” The meeting is now scheduled for Tuesday August 20 September 17, 2019at 3:30 pm at the following location:
Torrance City Hall Third Floor Assembly Room 3031 Torrance Blvd. Torrance, CA 90503
Posted on July 23, 2019 by Riviera Homeowners Association
Butcher Hill, at the corner of Hawthorne and Via Valmonte, may become the site of a future huge apartment development. The apartments would NOT be affordable housing units. Rather, they would be 248 luxury apartments to be rented at market rate, housing up to 722 residents. The site has never been built on because of many environmental and statutory reasons.
Solana “Open Space Plan” Source: Draft EIR
The current proposed project would require the City of Torrance to change the zoning of the site from A-1 (light agricultural) to PD (Planned Development – using R-5 High-rise Residential District Standards). To allow this land use density, it would also require a change in the City’s General Plan, which describes the Hillside Neighborhood District as the quietest, most pastoral area in Torrance, with single-family homes and generous landscaping. The project would violate the intention of the Hillside Overlay Ordinance because it would impact the views of some homes and would drastically change existing physical conditions in the area — negatively affecting safety, general welfare, aesthetic control, and property values.
For these reasons — zoning changes, General Plan changes, Hillside Overlay Ordinance ignored, plus the irreversible impact on the hillside, the Riviera Homeowners Association has concerns that this project would forever change the character and quality of life in our neighborhood.
Printed copies are available to read (but not to take out) at Walteria Library, Katy Geissert Library, City Clerk’s office, City Planning Department .
If you are also concerned, we are asking you to SEND IN YOUR EMAIL or posted mail comment by August 19 to Oscar Martinez, City Planner. Don’t put it off because you don’t think it will make a difference — every comment that is written requires a response from the developer. Even if you don’t think that this project would affect you directly, consider the effects it may have on your home, your commute, your neighborhood, South Torrance, your kids. This is your opportunity to address any concerns. Please take it!
The DEIR is a lengthy document, so our suggestion is to pick one or more sections that interest you, read that part and take notes, and then write out why you disagree with the ideas or conclusions they have come up with. Make your response factual and/or specific to your situation. (Although it may be tempting, please refrain from an emotional response.)
Click here for SUGGESTIONS on how to COMMENT ON A DEIR
Recommended subject heading for YOUR EMAIL: “Response to the Solana Residential Development Project Draft EIR”
Let’s get going!
Results of our last general meeting, and more:
Our May 1 community update meeting featured a number of guest presentations. But first, we were pleased to announce the annual scholarship award to John Bouabsi, who graduates this month, and plans to go on to CSULB to pursue a career in engineering. Many applied, one was chosen – congratulations John.
South High senior John Bouabsi receives this year’s RHA Scholarship Award
See our Scholars page for a list of past and present award winners.
Butcher-Solana update
Residents heard from two sides of the debate over the proposed Butcher-Solana development. Both Reylenn Properties, the developer of the proposed 248-unit apartment complex and Save our Neighborhood representatives gave up-to-date presentations for and against the
In order to provide more information to Riviera residents on the Butcher-Solana development (also called Solana Torrance), we invited Derek Empey, Vice President of Development at Reylenn Properties, to present details on the proposed project.
Keeping an eye on the Torrance Refinery
Paul Roberts, Chief Scientific Officer from Sonoma Technology , gave a presentation on a real-time air monitoring network that includes fenceline and community monitoring of the Torrance Refinery, home to Hydroflouric Acid (HF) and daily source of air pollutants. The network will collect air quality data from locations along the borders of the refinery and in nearby communities. The network and monitoring plan is being developed with input from SCAQMD staff, stakeholders, and local residents.
The RHA will bring further developments to our neighbors, as more information becomes available.
“Check out that front yard!”
Have you seen the latest landscape awards, given jointly by the RHA and Riviera Garden Club? Check out the latest at our landscape award page.
Posted on April 29, 2019 by Riviera Homeowners Association
Community Update! Wednesday, May 1, 2019, 7 PM General meeting at Richardson Middle School Cafeteria 23751 Nancy Lee Lane.
We’ll give you the latest update on Butcher-Solana project plans, plus what you need to know about local traffic issues, Riviera air quality, Refinery hazards, emergency sirens… and more This is our first meeting of 2019. Come prepared to renew your membership, or join us for the first time.
Doors open at 6:30. Public welcome. Light refreshments served Annual dues ($25) will be gratefully accepted
Growth Opportunity
The RHA recently awarded a $100 grant to Riviera Elementary school in support of a new Riviera Learning Garden. We invite you to learn more and also participate in this upcoming activity to make the Garden a reality.
To sign up, or for more information, please contact Jennifer Pei at jlpei06@gmail.com or (310) 938-3578.
Posted on April 11, 2019 by Riviera Homeowners Association
Join its 60th Anniversary Celebration!
Saturday April 13 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Location: El Retiro Library 126 Vista Del Parque
Join us and the sponsoring Friends of the Torrance Library for an open house as we celebrate El Retiro Library’s 60th anniversary! The event is free, and no registration is required.
For more information, please call the El Retiro Library at 310-375-0922.
Posted on March 31, 2019 by Riviera Homeowners Association
The Riviera Garden Club invites all Rivierans to stop by & see the “Super Poppy Bloom” at Colinas Circle, located at the stop sign corner of Calle Mayor & Camino de las Colinas. This garden project is on City property and had been woefully neglected for years.
The Riviera Garden Club & it’s Civic Beautification Committee received permission in 2009 to take it over. The City provided and installed the three magnificent boulders which are the gardens’ centerpiece. The rest of the work was handled by four tenacious women, namely Ruth Vogel, Wendy Tsuji, Linda Rosenfeld & Jeannie Brown — over all these years they have created a lovely drought tolerant garden.
Poppy seeds from Theodore Payne were scattered a few years ago and with the recent rain deluge this year the bloom is lovely. See it before it fades! However, the underlying garden is very colorful year round & still growing. You all may come by at any time but on Saturday, April 6 from 10-12 Garden Club members will be available to answer any questions.
Photos by Linda Rosenfeld, Julian Chasin
Hope to see you there!
Re-save the date
The next RHA General Meeting will be May 1, not April 24 as last announced. We will offer a ‘Community Update’ on issues like Butcher-Solana project plans, local
traffic issues, Riviera air quality, Refinery hazards and emergency sirens. Bring your ideas and questions. Doors open at 6:30. Light refreshments served. Annual dues gratefully accepted.
We rely on Member dues to fund our programs and activities. To learn more about RHA Membership, click here. Thank you for your patronage!
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Calling High School Seniors who live in the Riviera: check out RHA’s College Scholarship Program. Due dates and application info found here!
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Have questions about a community-related topic? Let us know by clicking on the link below! Ask the RHA!
Riviera Homeowners Association 