Torrance City Council Meeting - March 25, 2025

The Torrance City Council convened at 5:00 PM for Closed Session (no action reported) and reconvened in open session at 6:32 PM. The meeting covered the Consent Calendar, oral communications, commission appointments, two public hearings, and staff presentations. Key actions included approval of routine items, appointments to commissions, denial of an appeal regarding a hillside development, and establishment of an underground utility district.

Consent Calendar

• 8A: Approved City Council minutes of February 25, 2025 and March 5, 2025.
• 8B: Accepted and filed the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report and authorized submission to state agencies.
• 8C: Adopted Resolution 2025-10, authorizing blanket authority to apply for Measure A grant funds from the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District.
• 8D: Accepted and filed the Investment Report for January 2025. All Consent Calendar items were approved by motion with Councilmember Kodji absent.

Public Comments & Testimony

Oral Communications #1 (limited to 15 minutes, 1 minute per speaker):

• Charlie Salinas encouraged residents to attend city council meetings.
• Carol Gillis (Torrance Theatre Company) announced the 26th season and upcoming play "The Light from Within."
• Mary Ann Drummond called for an independent civilian oversight commission for police, citing the case of Christopher DeAndre Mitchell.
• Audrey George criticized the council for being unresponsive to police violence and houselessness, demanding civilian oversight.
• Julie Dogiri thanked officers Clark and Vogel for a crime prevention presentation.
• Arohi Sharma (League of Women Voters) promoted an Earth Day workshop on April 21 at Katy Geissert Library.
• A speaker invited the public to the Torrance Art Museum reception on March 29.
• Martha Hegler (New Horizons South Bay) thanked officers for a senior safety workshop.
• A resident asked the council to reconsider vacating city maintenance of parkways on Artesia Boulevard.
• Andy Porchop accused Mayor Chen of violating his free speech rights at a prior meeting.
• A final speaker expressed concerns about federal budget cuts affecting SNAP benefits, Medicare, Social Security, and environmental protections.

Hearing 9A Public Comments (2 minutes per speaker): Several neighbors spoke:

• Pat McOscar (313 Via Linda Vista) and his wife Carla supported the appellant, emphasizing the importance of the Hillside Overlay for privacy and views, and feared similar developments would erode the character of the neighborhood.
• A neighbor across the street (675 Calle Miramar) opposed the second story, citing loss of natural light and a sliver of ocean view.
• A resident named Lamb Chop urged strict enforcement of the Hillside Overlay, especially 5-foot window sill heights.
• Two speakers (Arthur Rosano and another) shared personal stories of privacy loss from recent large homes in the area.
• Several speakers supported the applicants, noting the house had been vacant for years, the project met all codes, and privacy concerns can be managed with blinds and landscaping.
• Paul Chuck mocked privacy concerns, calling the appellant an "exhibitionist" and urged approval.
• Another speaker criticized zoning practices as overly restrictive and supported the applicants.

Appointments to Commissions

Civil Service Commission (one vacancy):

• After nominations and a roll-call vote, Mia Carzonas was appointed with 3 votes (Councilmembers Kalani, Lewis, Shake) over Nairi Berry (2 votes) and Silvana Tamura (1 vote). A revote confirmed the outcome: 3 votes for Carzonas, 1 for Berry, 1 for Chen (for Carzonas). Motion to accept appointments carried with Councilmember Kodji absent.

Commission on Aging (two vacancies):

• Keith Montoya received 5 votes and was immediately appointed.
• After several voting rounds reducing the field, Kim Wang was appointed with 3 votes over Russell LaFay (2 votes) and Iona Bisnik (1 vote).
• The new commissioners (Mia Carzonas, Keith Montoya, Kim Wang) were sworn in by the City Clerk.

Discussion Items

Staff Presentations

• 6A – 2024 Year in Review: Lauren Allen (Communications Division) presented highlights of the fourth annual report, including financial data, the Measure SST dashboard, capital improvements, community events, public safety initiatives, and social media growth (20,000 Instagram followers). The full report is online at TorranceCA.gov/year-in-review.
• 6B – Stay Connected: Lauren Allen reviewed communication channels: city website, MyTorrance app, Torrance newsletter, Torrance Alerts, and social media (X, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram). The goal is 25,000 Instagram followers in 2025.
• Fire Chief Update: Chief David Dumay reported on the Cal Fire 2025 recommended fire hazard severity zone maps for local responsibility areas. Torrance must make the maps available for public review by April 23, 2025, and adopt them by ordinance by July 22, 2025. The Fire Department will launch community engagement and public hearings.

9A – Public Hearing: Appeal of Planning Commission Approval for 671 Calle Miramar

• Staff Report (Lee Orton): The project proposes one- and two-story additions to an existing 1952 single-family home in the Hillside Overlay (R-1 zone). It requires a Precise Plan of Development and a setback waiver. Staff found the design compliant with height (24 ft 1 in), FAR (0.48), lot coverage, and open space requirements. The second-story balcony faces northwest (toward ocean views). The adjacent neighbor (285 Via Linda Vista) appealed, citing privacy and sunlight concerns. Staff recommended denial of the appeal.
• Appellant (Cameron Roberts): Argued that the Planning Commission failed to follow proper procedures (limited public comment due to website issues) and that the second story would directly overlook his backyard, violating California privacy rights under the Constitution. He proposed moving the balcony and removing/opacifying windows.
• Applicants (Adit Talib, Brenda Dikshit): Represented by attorney Christine Freeze. They stated the home had been vacant since 2009, they communicated with Mr. Roberts after the Planning Commission meeting, but his proposed changes were architecturally unviable. They emphasized compliance with all codes and noted the second story is 27 feet from the property line.
• Council Deliberation: Councilmembers Sheikh and Kalani, having visited the site, noted potential privacy impacts from the balcony and windows. Councilmember Matucci favored approval but suggested compromise. After discussion, the applicants agreed to:
  • Extend the wall or add a solid screen along the north elevation of the balcony to block line-of-sight to the appellant’s property (materials subject to Community Development Director approval).
  • Plant tall hedges as additional screening.
  • Keep the windows as designed.
• Motion: To deny the appeal, adopt Resolution 2025-11 (Precise Plan of Development, as amended with the balcony privacy condition), Resolution 2025-12 (setback waiver), and determine a Categorical Exemption from CEQA. The motion carried unanimously with Councilmember Kodji absent.

9B – Public Hearing: Establishment of Underground Utility District No. 21

• Staff Report (Shin Furukawa): The district covers Madrona Avenue from Civic Center Drive to Torrance Boulevard. The project will use the city's Rule 28 work credit balance, avoiding city funds. The Engineer's Report was approved.
• No public comment in opposition. One speaker questioned costs but acknowledged aesthetic benefits.
• Motion to close the public hearing and adopt Resolution 2025-13 designating UUD No. 21 carried unanimously with Councilmembers Kodji and Sheikh absent (Sheikh departed early due to Ramadan obligations).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved (Councilmember Kodji absent).
• Commission Appointments: Mia Carzonas appointed to Civil Service Commission; Keith Montoya and Kim Wang appointed to Commission on Aging. All sworn in.
• 671 Calle Miramar Appeal: Denied. Project approved with condition to extend balcony privacy wall/screen, subject to Community Development Director approval. Resolutions 2025-11 and 2025-12 adopted, CEQA exemption affirmed. Vote: 4-0 (Kodji absent).
• Underground Utility District No. 21: Established via Resolution 2025-13. Vote: 4-0 (Kodji and Sheikh absent).
• Meeting adjourned to April 8, 2025 (Closed Session at 5:00 PM, Regular Business at 6:30 PM). April 1, 2025 is a City Council Dark Night.