On Thursday, January 14, at 7 PM,  residents will have a chance to testify before  the Torrance City Council Planning and Design Committee about the need for a tree and view ordinance.

This is the first of two meetings that residents, city staff and the RHA may speak directly before city council members on this issue.   This will probably be the last public meeting before the issue goes before the city council for a vote.

We know that the city staff is reluctant to take on the task of managing tree issues, so the staff report is likely to be very “anti-tree ordinance.”  This is why we need residents to speak directly to city council members to explain why we are  “pro ordinance.”   Let them know how view obstruction affects your property value, enjoyment of your home, relations with neighbors, etc. etc.  The RHA feels that there needs to be a process to resolve these disputes, and an ordinance is the best way.

If you feel that view obstruction from trees is important to you, then please come to City Hall, 3031 Torrance Blvd., to the city council chambers at 7:00 PM on Thursday night and (within your allotted 3 minutes) explain your point of view (no pun intended)!!!!!

If you cannot attend the meeting(s) please make your concerns known to the Torrance City Council members via email (click here for email addresses) or voicemail.

The kids will lava this:

El Retiro Library presents Richard Wade’s interactive presentation on volcanoes, showing how they erupt and grow.  Volunteers will help make a large model volcano erupt.  Wednesday, January 27 at 4:00PM (Hopefully, we all survive)

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Happy Holidays from your
Riviera Homeowners Association

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in 2015!

Look over this oversight opportunity

The Torrance Unified School District (TUSD) has an opening on the Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee for a homeowner’s association member. That means if you are a current RHA member (paid up) you would be eligible to sit on this district-wide committee which provides oversight of the expenditures arising from recent school bond measures.

The application deadline is Thursday Jan 7 and the TUSD Board will make its selection at its Jan 19 meeting. For further information or questions, please refer to the ICOC Bylaws. Questions may also be directed to Dr. Donald Stabler

PCH improvements still in the works

So, have you heard about the drought?  Thought so.  Well, one result is that Caltrans is currently on hold with regard to installing the needed irrigation for the south side of PCH from Doris Way to Calle Mayor (across from South High).  So, Torrance Public Works Department will be installing fencing and guardrails as soon as Caltrans reviews and permits those plans.  In addition, most of the eucalyptus trees will be removed and the chain-link fence in the center median removed.  The hoped-for landscaping will have to wait either for a change in the weather (bienvenido el niño), or a policy change by Caltrans to allow the old irrigation lines to be replaced.  Please refer to this link from Public Works for future developments.

Relaxed parking rules

From December 20^th, 2015 – January 3, 2016, the Torrance Police Department will not enforce street sweeping parking violations. However, street sweepers will continue to run during this period. Residents are reminded of the importance of keeping our streets clean, and as such, requested to comply with posted street sweeping restrictions.
This Holiday Moratorium will not pertain to all other violations. Torrance residents are reminded that all vehicles determined to be in violation of a parking ordinance other than the street sweeping ordinance, will still be subject to a parking citation.
For additional information on the City’s Holiday Street Sweeping Moratorium, please contact the Torrance Police Department Traffic and Special Events Division at 310-618- 5557.

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Time to review your naughtiness and niceties – Santa will be here this week!

The Torrance Police Officers’ Association will guide Santa in his motorcade according to this year’s schedule:

Santa’s journey 2015
(click for larger picture)

For more information, click here.

Happy Holidays everyone!

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Don’t miss this Wednesday’s GENERAL MEETING at Richardson Middle School with Lawndale Councilmember Jim Osborne and his fantastic collection of rare and vintage photos of the South Bay.  The program starts at 7:00 PM but doors open at 6:30. There will be refreshments and updates on matters of concern to the Riviera community. This will be a fun one, so come in and meet some new neighbors and see some remarkable scenes.

We continue to keep you updated on the efforts to (over-)develop PCH:

Thurs. Nov. 19 there will be a public Hearing to consider adopting the revised Legado Companies’ design at the old Bristol Farms site (149 apartments, 3 stories) at the Redondo Beach Planning Commission meeting. 7:00 PM, 415 Diamond St. Redondo Beach.

Trees + views: ordinance on the horizon?

Note this date: Thursday, January 14, 7 PM. The Planning and Design Committee will hold a workshop to discuss a TREE AND VIEW ORDINANCE for the Hillside Overlay at Torrance City Hall chambers.  If you are interested or concerned about view obstruction from trees, come to this meeting!

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Our first General Meeting of the new year featured a lively moderated debate among the 4 candidates for the TUSD School Board. The RHA Board presented questions to the candidates, who were also allowed time for statements.  Turnout at Richardson Middle School was excellent.  A debt of thanks to Mr. Joe Petito, technology teacher at Richardson, for facilitating the evening.  A great exercise in participatory democracy, brought to your doorstep by the Riviera Homeowners Association.  Do your part to learn the candidates’ positions, and vote!

L to R: candidates Don Lee, Terry Ragins, G. Rick Marshall, Clint Andrew Paulson

Dues diligence

With the beginning of the 2015-16 RHA fiscal year, we remind you that your voluntary dues for the year will help keep the RHA going, serving your community as it has for over 60 years.  Keep an eye out for the next newsletter, and view our membership page to check whether you’re up to date.

While you’re at it, check our landscape page, for all the summer’s awards, given to your neighbors (or you!) for the wonderful care devoted to these front yards.  When you see our signs planted in a monthly winner’s front yard, stop to thank those neighbors for keeping our Riviera beautiful.

Ongoing efforts:

Stay tuned soon for news on the Legado development, the proposed tree and view ordinance, the PCH beautification project, and the upcoming November General Meeting

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