Riviera Homeowners Association

RHA members and area residents were presented with a wealth of information on two different topics at our last meeting.  The first topic was “Granny Units” aka ADUs or Additional Dwelling Units.  The other topic featured two views of the Butcher-Solana project:  the  bad news about ambient contamination,  and the good news about what the future could bring to this site.

The state ADU mandate

Granny Units were explained by Linda Cessna, Deputy Director of the Community Development Department, and by Leo Oorts, City Planner.  ADUs are part of a new state law which is designed to ease the problem of insufficient housing.  The gist of the law is that homeowners may remodel a previously existing space, say an office room, to be a separate dwelling within their home.  This space may be rented out or offered to another resident.

Leo Oorts, Torrance Community Development Dept delivers an FYI on the ADU

If someone wants to build a room addition onto their home, and they are in the Hillside Overlay,  will they have to abide by the Hillside Overlay Ordinance (HOO)? A phone call to Planning Department on 10/22 got the answer from a planner “Yes, they will have to abide by the Hillside Overlay.”  If the building is less than 14 feet tall? The planner we spoke with was not sure.    We will have to see how this is enforced.  It is likely that it will put  pressure on the HOO and will require our vigilance and interaction with the City.

In case you missed it: click here for the complete ADU Presentation shown at the meeting.

More B-S

The second topic was  the Butcher-Solana development.   PV Estates resident and activist Joan Davidson (whose husband is on the PVE city council) presented an impressive amount of research and visuals which showed that the site is even more contaminated than we had thought.

Joan Davidson offering evidence of Butcher Hill contamination

Butcher Hill itself has been an unregulated dump site for decades, so it is not known exactly what is in the ground there, but methane, benzene and toluene, all dangerous contaminants, have been found there, along with silica and crystalline silica, a known carcinogen when stirred up by vehicles and construction.

The good news?  Jacob Varvarigos, the president of a very active land conservancy, the South Bay Parkland Conservancy, shared his views of what this land could be.

RHA board members Amy Josefek and Judy Brunetti, along with other members of the community, met with Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi on Wed. Oct. 17 to discuss the project.

We hope to bring you more good news before long.

Membership drive underway

Membership dues are what allow the RHA to continue, and fall is our prime time to accept your voluntary dues.  Our costs are going up, but so far not our low membership fee.   Help yourself by maintaining a vibrant Hollywood Riviera community.  Join or renew today !

New members joining between now and October 31 1918 are eligible for a drawing to win a case of Castle Rock wine — Pinot Noir or Chardonnay.  Winner will be announced on this website by November 15.  Only a few days left!

Don’t wait for the next meeting – contribute your voluntary dues here.  A heartful thanks to the many who offered their dues at our first meeting, and those who sent them in by mail or Paypal!

Announcing A Ribbon Cutting Event!

Mark the date:  Sunday, October 28, 2018,  2 pm

Dedication of the new Hollywood Riviera Historical Marker at the corner of Via Monte d’Oro and Palos Verdes Blvd.

Please join us and the Friends of the Hollywood Riviera to celebrate our two new markers AND the 90th Birthday of the Hollywood Riviera!

More info: 310.375.6539

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RHA GENERAL MEETING
“Community Update!”
Wednesday, October 17, 2018, 7 PM

All residents in the Riviera are invited to our general meeting at Richardson Middle School Cafeteria, at 23751 Nancy Lee Lane.

Topics:

The huge proposed Butcher Hill-Solana residential project at Hawthorne and Via Valmonte  – get the latest information on where the project stands and what actions residents are taking out of concern for the Hollywood Riviera and surrounding neighborhoods.

“Granny Flats” – A staff member from the Torrance Planning Department will provide clarification of the new Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) State law and why it’s considered necessary……and other general announcements.

This is our first meeting of the year…..So come prepared to renew your membership or join us for the first time.

Join the RHA through the month of October and your membership application will be entered in a drawing for the chance to win a case of CASTLE ROCK’S POPULAR WINES of your choice…Pinot Noir or Chardonnay.
The Winner will be notified during the second week of November and also will be posted on the RHA website!
Annual Memberships paid at the door, sent via mail, or using our online membership page are all eligible to win.

Find out what volunteer opportunities are available, to make your voice heard, or work behind the scenes.   No experience necessary.

Doors open at 6:30. Public is welcome. Light refreshments served.

Fall 2018 Riviera Reporter is in the mail – did you get yours?

Our printed Riviera Reporter should have arrived in your mailbox if you live within the Hollywood Riviera.  You can also click here to see the October 2018 issue.

Halloween prep:

Make & Take Monsters

10/24/2018 4:00 PM

El Retiro Library 126 Vista Del Parque

Design a monster using play dough, googly eyes, and your imagination! You’re invited to be creative at this story and craft event. Ages 5 and up. This program is free, sponsored by the Friends of the Torrance Library, and no registration is required. For more information, please call the El Retiro Library at 310-375-0922.

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This past March, the City received a letter from an attorney threatening to sue Torrance for alleged violations of the California Voting Rights Act unless the City voluntarily converted to a by-district election system.  On April 3, the City Council adopted Resolution 2018-27 expressing its intention to move from its current, at-large method of election to a by-district system.  The City conducted 5 public hearings on by-district elections in which City Council took input from the public (including proposed maps), as well as its expert districting consultant and demographer.  On June 19, 2018, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 3829, which established and implemented by-district elections for Council Members as well as a voting district map and an election sequence.

ALL current Council Members are currently serving at-large.  No Council Members will be representing a district until first district elections are held in March 2020 for Districts 2, 4, and 6.  The next district election will be in March 2022 for Districts 1, 3, and 5.  At that point in 2022, all Council Members will be in by-district seats.  The Hollywood Riviera (Pacific Coast Highway, the western City limits, the southern City limits, and Ocean Avenue to Newton Street to Hawthorne Boulevard) is in District 5 along with the area bounded by Pacific Coast Highway, Ocean Avenue, Sepulveda Boulevard, and the western City limits. Map below illustrates all details.

Current Council Members live in what will become the following districts (all Council Members are currently serving at-large):

1. No Council Member currently resides in what will become District 1.
2. Chen (term ends 2022, but will have to run in 2020 to stay in District 2.  If he doesn’t run in 2020, then his at-large seat ceases to exist in 2022), Goodrich (term ends 2022, but will be termed out), and Rizzo (term ends 2020, but eligible for re-election).
3. No Council Member currently resides in what will become District 3.
4. Herring (term ends 2020, but eligible for re-election).
5. Mattucci (term ends 2022, but eligible for re-election).
6. Griffiths (term ends 2020, but eligible for re-election).

The next election for Mayor (which will continue to be an at-large position) will be in March 2022; Mayor Furey will be termed-out at that point.

Click here for more information.

TORRANCE SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES MEETING

In the past, RHA has sponsored forums for Torrance School Board of Trustees candidates.  As we had other plans and speakers lined up for our October General Meeting, there was no time to organize an additional meeting prior to the  November election.

However, you have another opportunity …..The North Torrance Homeowners Association is inviting all interested residents to attend their candidates forum:

• When:   7pm on Thursday, October 4th
• Where: North Torrance High School Library – 3620 W. 182nd Street.

City of Torrance – Commission on Aging

Tuesday, October 9, 2018  9:30 AM
Bartlett Senior Center 1318 Cravens Ave (upstairs conference room)
Speaker: Fire Prevention Specialist, Chris Rhodes

Learn about how the City of Torrance Fire Department can assist senior
residents in putting together an emergency plan.
Learn what we can do to plan ahead and be prepared in the event of a disaster. Fire Prevention Specialist Rhodes will explain how senior residents can respond to an emergency disaster situation.
The Commission on Aging meets the second Tuesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. (except June and December). The meetings are held at the Bartlett Senior Citizens Center and are open to the public. Torrance residents are encouraged to attend the meetings to address to the Commission on Aging matters of concern about the senior community.

Fall 2018 Riviera Reporter is out and heading to homes

Our printed Riviera Reporter will be showing up in mail boxes in a week or so.  As a subscriber to our email blog, you get a peek ahead of time.  Click here to see the October 2018 issue.

Don’t make us beg
Please send in your 2018-19 annual dues
See our membership page – pretty please?

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RIVIERA HOMEOWNERS GENERAL MEETING

Wednesday, October 17th at 7:00 P.M
RICHARDSON MIDDLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA

Doors open at 6:30 and the Public is welcome.
Light refreshments will be served.

WHATʼS GOING ON IN TORRANCE AND
WHY WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION

How far along are the plans for the huge proposed Butcher Hill/Solana residential
project at Hawthorne and Via Valmonte and what is the resident response? Could the
site be saved as open space or park land? Get the latest information from experts.

“Granny Flats”: Can I put one in my back yard or convert the garage? A staff member
from the Torrance Planning Department will provide clarification of whatʼs included in
the Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) State legislation and why itʼs considered necessary.

Update on City Council district voting – when and why will at-large council elections be changed?

This is our first meeting of the year. So come prepared to join RHA or renew your
membership.   Can’t make it to the meeting?  Contribute your voluntary dues here. Our costs are going up, but so far not our low, low membership fee.   Help yourself by maintaining a vibrant Hollywood Riviera community.  Join or renew today (or tomorrow)!

New members joining between now and October 31 1918 are eligible for a drawing to win a case of Castle Rock wine — Pinot Noir or Chardonnay.  Winner will be announced on this website by November 15.

A city worth preserving

Torrance city staff will provide a brief overview of the City of Torrance’s Historic Preservation Program, which was approved by the City Council in December of 2017.  The City is ready to launch this program and a Historic Preservation Commission will be formed.  Those interested in Historic Preservation are encouraged to consider applying for a seat on the NEW Historic Preservation Commission in the near future.   You will learn more about this Commission at the meeting.

When:  Wednesday, September 26^th, 2018
Where:  Bartlett Senior Center -1318 Cravens Ave., Old Torrance (upstairs)
Time:  7:00 PM – Meet-&-greet with friends & neighbors, Torrance Bakery Cookies
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM – Meeting, Q&A

Landscaping the Riviera

See this year’s landscape award winners, so far.   The RHA applauds our neighbors who bring beauty and unexpected delights to our community.  Green up your thumb, and you may find a sign in your front yard!

Advertise and help the RHA

New this year!  You can support your homeowners association, and bring business your way, by advertising on this website.  We are offering ad placement on our homepage, as well as on any email blasts that are sent out.

We love your memberships too! (Wish we get  enough this year to expand our scholarships and mailings)

For more details, read here, and direct your requests or any questions to webmaster@hollywoodriviera.org

Library Happenings

Little Artists – 09/20/2018 11:00 AM – Children ages 18 months and up are invited to join us for some artistic self-expression! This program is free, sponsored by the Friends of the Torrance Library, and no registration is required. For more information, please call the Walteria Library at 310-375-8418.

Toddlertime – 09/26/2018 11:00 AM – This story and song program is for children ages 18 months to 3 years and a participating caregiver. This program is free and no registration is required. For more information please call the El Retiro Library at 310-375-0922.

Secrets of Ventriloquism –  09/27/2018 4:00 PM  – Join in for an interactive performance with Joe Gandelman! This program is free, sponsored by the Friends of the Torrance Library, and no registration is required. For more information, please call the Walteria Library at 310-375-8418.

Earthquake Preparedness Townhall

Join Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi for an Earthquake Preparedness Townhall in recognition of the upcoming Great California Shake Out – the largest-ever earthquake drill in the world.

• Emergency preparedness kit information
• Disaster plan preparation
• Earthquake simulator for children

Saturday, October 6  1 – 4 p.m.
George Nakano Theater
3330 Civic Center Dr.

Let’s be ready!  Learn more here.

LEAF BLOWERS – Love ’em or leave ’em?

Manhattan, Hermosa, and Redondo Beach all have banned the use of leaf blowers and Torrance is considering following suit.

A proposal to ban leaf blowers has been taken up by the city’s Environmental Quality and Energy Conservation Commission.  There are arguments on both sides of the issue. Some favor the ban because of noise, air pollution, adverse health effects etc.  Banning them could cause homeowners greater cost, as it could take gardeners a longer time at each job, and could be difficult to enforce.

Homeowners associations have been asked to help gather the opinions of their residents: we encourage you to fill out this City of Torrance survey:

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Torrance Movies in the Park comes to our El Retiro Park this Saturday night.  Right around dark (say 8:00) the lights will go down and the silver screen will light up.  The feature this year is Despicable Me 3.

The Riviera Homeowners Association will be offering free popcorn for all new memberships or renewals.

Bring your warm clothes, lawn chairs, hot cocoa and join the fun.

El Retiro Park is at 126 VISTA DEL PARQUE
Saturday, July 28th   8:00PM

This program is sponsored by the Torrance Community Services Department,
in cooperation with local Homeowners’ Associations, like your RHA.
For more information, please call 310/618-2930

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