Many Riviera residents have expressed concerns about noise resulting from flights in and out of the Torrance Airport. The Torrance City Council maintains a ban on touch-and-go flights at the Torrance Airport, while restricting low approaches and taxi-backs to weekday hours (10 AM – 6 PM). On Dec. 2, the Council adopted an ordinance amending the Torrance Municipal Code as related to enforcement of the Airport Ordinance by a vote of 7-0. This vote puts in place the amendment to the Municipal Code covering touch-and-go flights and noise and curfew violations that will hold violators accountable. It is now up to City staff to implement the measure.
Around 50 people attended our fall general meeting on Oct. 21 to learn more about Torrance Transit Services and updates from the Coalition for Torrance Airport Reform (COTAR).
Torrance Transit Planning Manager David Mach was on hand to explain the wide range of services for our Riviera residents and how to use them, including:
Connect Torrance Microtransit Program which offers inexpensive rides within Torrance. This on-demand ride service is a hybrid between Uber/Lyft and public transit, where it groups passengers (if possible) to their destinations. Rides for the general public are just $5 within the designated zone. Seniors and people with disabilities ride for $3 and the first six rides are free within the Connect Torrance Plus Zone. You can book a ride by either downloading an app here or calling 424-688-9251. Learn more at Connect Torrance.
The Senior Taxi (for those 65+) and Dial-a-Taxi (for the disabled) programs for discounted taxicab rides through Bell Cab and South Bay Yellow/United Checker Cab Co-Op. You can register, get a swipe card and purchase up to 12 ride credits per month at a discounted rate. You can find more information here, a brochure with more details here, or call 310-781-2174 for more information.
Torrance Transit offers many other services for Riviera residents, including the Hollywood Bowl Shuttle, and you can learn more at their website here.
Chuck Costello, a leader at the Coalition for Torrance Airport Reform (COTAR), provided a brief history of the organization, which advocated for the $6 landing fees now in place at the Torrance Airport and the ban on touch and go flights. A pilot organization has sued the City of Torrance in federal court to overturn the ban, and a recent hearing on the matter was postponed. Thanks to the attendees who provided both the pilots’ and residents’ points of view.
The Riviera Homeowners Association extends a big thank you to David, Chuck and all who attended!
Come to our next general meeting at 7 pm on Oct. 21!
A second guest speaker will join us: Chuck Costello, a leader at the Coalition for Torrance Airport Reform (COTAR), will provide an update on Torrance Airport issues. COTAR advocates on behalf of our community with the Torrance City Council on critical issues from operations at the Torrance Airport.
Chuck will speak after Torrance Transit Planning Manager David Mach, who will be on hand to explain the wide range of services they offer and how to use them. Torrance Transit Services offers much more than a traditional bus system.
We recently called attention to two agenda items – the Hillside Overlay and Torrance Airport Ordinances — being discussed at most recent Torrance City Council meeting. Several residents attended the meeting as well as emailed their points of view on these topics. Here are the results of the discussions:
Hillside Overlay (Agenda item 9B): While the appeal against the Planning Commission’s recent approval of the precise plan for a property on Susana (PRE23-00013) was denied, the council recognized that the Hillside Overlay Ordinance (HOO) should be updated to include the objective language needed to better assess such projects. Council member Sharon Kalani stated they (the council) needed to “look into doing public input to update the HOO with objective language and bring the relevant brains together.” We look forward to learning what next steps will be taken to begin this important update.
Torrance Airport (Agenda item 10B): Stating their obligation to stand by their previous decision to support noise abatement efforts for the benefit of Torrance residents, the Torrance City Council voted 5-1 against the staff-proposed settlement of a lawsuit and ordinance amendment that would have overturned last year’s ban on touch-and-gos and related maneuvers at the Torrance Airport. The lawsuit may continue to its trial date already scheduled for February 2026, unless the pilots’ group drops its complaint. Watch this space for updated information on this situation.
We posted previously about the opportunity to share your views on updating the Hillside Overlay at the next Torrance City Council meeting. The Council will also discuss adopting an ordinance to amend the Torrance City Code to once again allow Touch and Go, full stop-taxi back, and low approaches at the Torrance Airport (item 10B). Last year these operations were prohibited by the Council because of the residents’ protests against increasing airport noise. If you would like to share your opinion on this issue, consider attending the upcoming City Council meeting, emailing City Council Members or offering comments if you can’t attend.
When: Tuesday, June 17 at 6:30PM
Location: LeRoy J. Jackson Council Chamber, 3031 Torrance Blvd.
Offer Comments: Note that comments submitted before 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025, will be published for public review prior to the meeting. Comments received after 5:30 p.m., but prior to the adjournment of the meeting will be added to the record. You can submit your comments here: https://torranceca.primegov.com/public/portal?fromiframe=true (Use the comment bubble on the right)
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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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Riviera Homeowners Association 