Announcing the First Annual Torrance Residential Beautification Awards Program!

The Torrance Residential Beautification Awards is a newly approved program by the Torrance City Council and the nomination period is open now through March 31. There are two award categories:

  • Landscape Beautification Award: This award will recognize homes that exhibit exceptional pride of ownership through well-maintained and exceptional landscaping of their property. This includes an attractive landscaping design of the front yard and parkway, a clean and well-maintained exterior, and overall good curb appeal.
  • Sustainable Landscape Beautification Award: This award will recognize homes that exhibit exceptional pride of ownership through the use of water conservation practices as part of their landscaping design. This includes the use of drought-tolerant or native plants, water-friendly irrigation systems, and energy-efficient or solar lighting.

Judging criteria includes curb appeal, pride of ownership, landscape design, structure maintenance, sustainable design features, and contribution to the beautification of Torrance. 

Up to two Award Recipients will be selected in each Council District. Up to three additional overall Honorable Mention Recipients will also be selected. The honorees will be announced by the Torrance Environmental Quality and Energy Conservation Commission at their meeting in June.

Recipients will receive a certificate of recognition, a commemorative yard sign, and a gift card to a local home improvement store.

For more information, please contact the Neighborhood Services Division of the Community Development Department at (310) 618-5929 or via email at DDInfo@TorranceCA.Gov noting “2025 Torrance Beautification Awards” in the subject line.

Torrance Responds to Devastating Fires

Torrance Mayor George K. Chen recently sent an email describing our city’s response to the fires and efforts to support those impacted. It includes information on:

  • The City Response and Emergency Preparedness
  • Health and Safety Precautions
  • Supporting Emergency Efforts

You can read it here.

Riviera Reporter – Winter 2024

President’s Message:

In this issue, we have a short update on our sliding hillside (page 3). There’s a recap of our October meeting (page 2). Our latest Landscaping Award is on page 2. On page 4, the RHA answers a resident’s question about their neighbor burning vegetation. Our local scholarship applications are also open (below).

Link to Newsletter: Riviera Reporter Winter 2024

The upcoming holidays offer us all a chance to gather with friends and families, reflecting on our shared bonds and making new memories. Next December the Riviera Homeowners Association will celebrate the 80th anniversary of its first meeting, which was held on Monday, December 10, 1945. The gathering was covered in the Dec. 13th issue of the Torrance Herald, with William Edwards, living at 266 Via Buena Ventura, elected as president, and Lottie Peterson to serve as the group’s secretary/treasurer. 

The primary discussions of the Association involved the continuing development of the Hollywood Riviera, including architectural stylings, water management, and the formation of the Association’s bylaws. If you’re interested in learning more details about the RHA’s foundational years, minutes of meetings from 1946-1953 are available on this site by clicking here.  

We hope the holidays bring you joy in spending time with friends, families, and our Riviera community! 

Elizabeth “Libby” Spatz, RHA President

2024 RHA Scholarship Update

For decades, the RHA has offered multiple scholarships for residents who are high school seniors.

2024 RHA Scholarship Recipients

To apply for a college scholarship, South High seniors should fill out their local scholarship application by December 20th (contact College & Career Counseling Coordinator Salma Sanchez for questions). 

If a Riviera senior misses the deadline or attends a different high school, they can apply online here until February 1, 2025. Questions? Email info@hollywoodriviera.org

In Case You Missed Our Meeting

Nearly 50 people participated in the Riviera Homeowners Association general meeting on Oct. 15. We want to extend a big thanks to our speakers, and in case you missed it, here’s a summary of the great information they each provided.

Torrance Civil Service Commissioner Jean Adelsman explained Torrance ballot Measure TC, which would raise the mayor’s and councilmembers’ pay and impact term limits for councilmembers, among other things. You can learn more about Measure TC on the City Clerk’s Election webpage – both the Charter amendment and the redline version have been posted. You can also read about in it in this Los Angeles Times article.

Former Torrance City Councilmember Mike Griffiths updated us on state-level legislation that’s recently been passed with the intent to address California’s housing crisis, but that has the potential to override our local zoning and land use in ways that would be detrimental to our community. You can read Mike’s full presentation here.

Robert Thompson, Operations Manager, California Water Service provided information and updates on the water tank replacement project on Calle de Arboles. You can read Robert’s full presentation here.

The presentations and other important community resources can be found on our Community Links page. Thanks again to the speakers and to all who attended!