Torrance Planning Commission/Hillside Overlay Ordinance Update

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.

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON FRIDAY, MAY 23 at 5 PM

What: Special Torrance City Council Meeting

Why: To discuss the pending proposal from Los Angeles County to include the Extended Stay America Hotel on Torrance Boulevard as one of the five properties being submitted to the State’s Homekey+ Program for potential conversion into interim or long – term housing.

When: Friday, May 23, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

Where: LeRoy J. Jackson City Council Chambers, 3031 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503

You can find more information on the City of Torrance website here.

RHA General Meeting Updates

Thanks to those who joined our General Meeting on April 29, and for those who missed it, here’s a recap.

The RHA’s updated bylaws were approved. They hadn’t been updated since 1995! You can find the new bylaws here.

Our President Elizabeth (Libby) Spatz gave an update on the Hillside Overlay status. The RHA is working on improving the Hillside Overlay so there’s specific objective language for the Planning Commissioners to use in their decision-making. Please come to the City Council meeting June 17 in Council Chambers at City Hall to voice concerns that Hillside Overlay needs to be brought up to date.

Thanks to our speakers from the City of Torrance, Torrance Fire Department and Torrance Police Department. The information shared on fire safety was very helpful. Here are short summaries:

Nazy Chiniforoushan, Emergency Services Manager, Office of the City Manager, provided resources for emergency or weather alerts and notifications:

  • Sign up at the QR code below or at https://www.TorranceCA.gov/torrancealerts
    • Other sources of information during an emergency situation are:
      • Phone Number: 310-618-2320 is the phone number that city set up to call for emergency information
      • Radio Station for emergency information: 1620 am
  • Also, https://www.ready.gov/ is a great resource to create emergency plans, how to communicate with your family, and what to have in your go-kits

Nazy’s most important advice: Heed evacuation orders as soon as you hear them!

Daniel Singleton, Public Affairs/Education Fire Prevention with the Torrance Fire Department, advised that we are all first responders — be sure you know how to evacuate. Visit CalFire’s website — it’s a good resource for go-bags and other tips: https://readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/go-evacuation-guide/. His other advice included:

  • Be sure to plan your exit ahead of time in case streets are blocked during evacuation
  • Evacuate away from the ocean because of winds
  • Have an action plan like a safe meeting point for your family and a communication plan
  • Prepare your property to create a defensible space and remove dead vegetation

Lt. Daniel Moreno, Emergency Operations Coordinator with the Torrance PD, emphasized that their role in an emergency is to:

  • Enforce evacuation orders, direct traffic, clear roadways and clear hazardous zones
  • Assist vulnerable populations such as the elderly, though they strongly encourage everyone have their own evacuation plans
  • Support emergency response with heavy equipment
  • Secure areas where people shouldn’t be after evacuations
  • If there is a crime scene, they will secure it

Mark your calendars for our next General Meeting! It’s live and in person! Monday, Sept. 15, 2025 at Riviera United Methodist Church, Redondo Beach (TBC)

Details for General Meeting April 29

Join us for our General Meeting on Tuesday, April 29 at 7 pm via Zoom. Click here for the link. (Meeting ID: 842 2687 4083; Passcode: 737740) And here’s the agenda:

President’s Welcome

Introduction of Officers:

  • President: Elizabeth (Libby) Spatz:
  • VP (Membership): Catherine Modesitt
  • VP (Comms): Betsy Merryman
  • Treasurer:  Judy English (stepping down, April 2025)
  • Treasurer (pro tem): Linda Schwartz (to be confirmed in 2026 elections)
  • Director, Technology: Roger Charbonneau
  • Director, Hospitality/Landscape: Denise O’Neill
  • City Council Observer: Natalie Keelan
  • Member at Large:  Gayle Taylor

RHA Updated Bylaws: (See proposed updated bylaws here.) Discussion/Questions/vote via a visible show of hands

RHA Scholarship Awards

Speakers on Fire Emergency Safety

  • Office of Emergency Services: Nazy Chiniforoushan: Emergency Services Manager, Office of the City Manager
  • Torrance Fire: Daniel Singleton, Public Affairs/Education Fire Prevention; and Chief Blayne Baker, Communications/IT Division
  • Torrance PD: Lt. Daniel Moreno: Emergency Operations Coordinator

Next General Meeting (in person): Monday, Sept. 15, 2025 at Riviera United Methodist Church, Redondo Beach (TBC)

Meeting Close

Riviera Reporter is Here!

After a drier than normal winter, we welcome any showers that April may bring. We have many updates in this issue of The Riviera Reporter

  • Join us for our General Meeting on April 29 at 7 pm via Zoom. (More info on p. 1)
    • Our main topic will be fire safety, with guest speakers focused on emergency preparedness and plans for our community, among other things.
    • The Riviera Homeowner’s Association board members updated our bylaws, which you can review here. Another agenda item is voting on the new bylaws by the RHA membership.
    • Here’s the link to join the Zoom meeting; Meeting ID: 842 2687 4083; Passcode: 737740
  • We’ve handed out two Landscaping Awards — see page 2
  • We continue to mark the RHA’s 80th Anniversary on page 3
  • Join us in congratulating our scholarship winners on page 4
  • We answer a resident’s question about a neighbor’s illegal dumping on page 4

Read the entire issue: Riviera Reporter Spring 2025

If you would like to become an RHA member or need to renew your membership, here’s how.

We look forward to seeing you at our Zoom meeting! 

Elizabeth “Libby” Spatz, RHA President