April General Meeting Recap

Posted on May 4, 2026 by Catherine Modesitt, RHA VP

On April 21st, the RHA held its first general meeting of 2026 and Board elections via Zoom.

Board Election Results:

President Elizabeth Spatz, VP (Comms) Gina Magee, VP (Membership) Catherine Modesitt, Treasurer Linda Schwartz

Hillside Overlay Ordinance (HOO) Update

A major focus of the meeting was the Hillside Overlay Ordinance. Kathryn Dunican, a Riviera homeowner from the “Protect Our Homes” community group, spoke about the following:

  • Rewriting the current HOO to protect views/property values with objective language
  • The state laws which create ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) loopholes versus local authority over objective standards
  • Multiple two-story ADUs blocking neighbors’ views currently under construction
  • Challenging the city’s claims that their “hands are tied” regarding enforcing HOO provisions—other cities successfully enforce the HOO

Residents concerned about the HOO are encouraged to attend the City Council meeting on May 19th at 6 PM, where Michelle Ramirez is planning to present the same info as the February 18th planning commission meeting.

Can’t attend? Email City Council members in advance.

Fire Safety & Development Awareness

Joan Davidson, of California Cities for Local Control, discussed the upcoming screening of Small is Beautiful (6:30 PM, May 15th, Hess Park, Rancho Palos Verdes). This documentary follows a rural community battling a massive luxury development that threatens a critical wildlife habitat and puts residents’ lives at risk in a fire-prone landscape. Now that areas of the Hollywood Riviera are included in the recently updated CalFire Hazard Severity Zone map, the film is especially relevant. Local control advocate and candidate for City Treasurer Mike Griffiths will also be speaking.

Local Issues & Community Updates

Jean Adelsman, author of “Take Back Torrance” newsletter and former managing editor of The Daily Breeze, suggested residents educate themselves on where candidates in the upcoming elections (June 2) stand on these issues:

  • District 5 candidates on the HOO
  • Robinson Helicopter using south runway at Torrance Airport
  • Leaded gas still being used at the Torrance Airport
  • $27 million dollar annexation of El Camino Village/College/Alondra Park that could cost Torrance $11 million annually
  • Friendship Cities programs—$350K spent, with zero return, per city staff report

RHA Updates & Improvements

RHA President Elizabeth Spatz discussed the RHA’s continued outreach efforts under our new Vice President of Communications, Gina Magee. Not only does The Riviera Reporter have a new look, but the RHA has a Facebook page. Our April 6th Candidate Forum drew over 150 attendees and was featured in The Daily Breeze. as well.

We’re still looking for someone to join our Executive Board as Secretary and a volunteer with experience in website design. For more information, email us at info@hollywoodriviera.org.

Filed under: General Meeting, Hillside Overlay Ordinance, RHA Board Elections, The Riviera Reporter, Torrance Airport, Torrance City Council, Torrance Elections | Tagged: , , , , , | Comments Off on April General Meeting Recap

Torrance City Council Votes to Add Enforcement Ordinance on Torrance Airport Noise Violations

Posted on December 14, 2025 by bmerryman

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.

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RHA General Meeting Updates

Posted on November 2, 2025 by bmerryman

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!

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Announcing Another Guest Speaker for 10/21 General Meeting

Posted on October 16, 2025 by bmerryman

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.

Here are the details:

  • Date: Oct. 21
  • Time: 7 pm
  • Location: The Riviera Methodist Church, 375 Palos Verdes Blvd., Redondo Beach

See you there!

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6/17 Torrance City Council Meeting Summary

Posted on June 22, 2025 by bmerryman

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.

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    Tuesday, May 19, 6:30pm, City Hall – Torrance City Council Meeting Agenda to include discussion on the Hillside Overlay.  All interested parties are encouraged to attend.  Public comments will be acknowledged – up to 2 minutes per speaker.

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