Torrance City Council Adjourned Regular Meeting - June 17, 2025

The Torrance City Council met on June 17, 2025, for an adjourned regular meeting that began with a closed session at 5:00 PM and reconvened in open session at 6:42 PM. The meeting was dominated by a controversial proposal to settle litigation and reinstate touch-and-go operations at the Torrance Municipal Airport, a tense appeal over a hillside property that highlighted a conflict between local zoning and state housing law, and strong public criticism of the council's actions regarding LGBTQ+ Pride Month, immigration enforcement, and a County homeless housing project. The meeting adjourned at 10:56 PM.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent calendar with the exception of items 8M and 8Q. Notable approvals included the appropriation of $376,385 in SB 1 Road Repair funds (8A), a second amendment to a ground lease with Hi-Shear Corporation (8B), consulting agreements for on-call plan check services totaling $7.5 million (8C), a $10.63 million funding agreement with the Torrance Unified School District for the El Nido Park Renovation (8E), a premium renewal with PRISM for excess liability and workers’ compensation coverage not-to-exceed $5.7 million (8I), approval of a one-time exemption for amplified sound for the Pakistan Chamber of Commerce (8O), a three-year $180,000 state legislative advocacy contract (8P), and the second reading of Ordinance 3949 adopting fire hazard severity zone maps (8R).
• Items Pulled: Item 8M (Fire Department Annual Quality Improvement Update) was presented by Fire Chief David Dumay. The report noted 16,761 total incidents in 2024 (a record high), with 56% of EMS patients being over age 65 and 6.8% of incidents relating to homelessness. The item was approved. Item 8Q (License agreements for baseball fields) was approved to allow Ambassador High School and Garciaparra Baseball Group to use fields at Wilson Park.

Public Comments & Testimony

• LGBTQ+ Pride Month: During Oral Communications #1, multiple speakers criticized Mayor Chen and Councilmembers Kaji, Matucci, and Sheikh for not issuing a Pride Month proclamation. A group read a "People's Proclamation" declaring June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Torrance. Councilmembers Kalani, Lewis, and Gerson were praised for their advocacy.
• Immigration & ICE: Several speakers condemned Mayor Chen's statement regarding recent ICE detentions. Speakers referenced the deportation of a Torrance student and called for the city to become a sanctuary city or establish a formal workgroup to respond to federal actions.
• Homekey Project Opposition: Multiple speakers, including Elise Park, voiced strong opposition to the County's 120-unit Homekey project at 3525 Torrance Boulevard, citing its location near homes, schools, and a senior care facility. They urged the city to stop the project.
• Airport (Item 10B): A significant majority of public speakers (from the KOTAR group and residents) urged the council to reject the proposed settlement, arguing it undid the peaceful balance achieved by the existing ban on touch-and-go operations. They insisted the city should fight the lawsuit in court. Some speakers representing pilot interests supported the settlement as a return to balance.
• Hillside Variance & ADU (Items 9A & 9B): Neighbors at 417 Via Anita opposed the variance to bypass the Hillside Overlay. For Item 9B, appellant Matt Minich appealed the approval of a two-story home with an ADU at 22209 Susana Ave, stating it would destroy his view of the Palos Verdes hills and that the ADU was a loophole being abused to bypass the overlay.
• Military Equipment (Item 10A): Public speakers opposed the renewal of the military equipment use policy, calling for the creation of an independent civilian oversight committee and expressing concerns about the civilian use of tactical vehicles and tear gas.

Discussion Items

• 10B – Touch and Go Operations: The City Attorney presented a proposal to settle a lawsuit by amending Ordinance 3930, allowing touch-and-go flights Monday through Friday (9 AM to 5 PM) and Saturdays (11 AM to 2:30 PM), effectively reversing the previous ban. A majority of the council opposed the settlement. Councilmember Matucci argued excessive noise violates the constitutional promise of tranquility. Councilmember Kaji warned that pushing the issue risks calls for full airport closure. Councilmember Gerson stated he would not support an ordinance change of questionable legality. Mayor Chen was the sole supporter, arguing touch-and-go is a necessary safety training tool. The council voted to reject the settlement and defend the existing ordinance.
• 9B – Appeal of Hillside Development: The council discussed the appeal of a Planning Commission approval for a two-story home with an ADU at 22209 Susana Ave. Community Development Director Michelle Ramirez explained that the addition of the ADU makes the project a "housing development" under the Housing Accountability Act (HAA), which prohibits the city from applying subjective Hillside Overlay criteria (such as view or privacy). She warned that denying the compliant project could lead to HCD decertification, leaving the city subject to the unbounded "Builder's Remedy" where developers can bypass all planning rules. Councilmembers expressed extreme frustration with state law tying their hands, but most felt legally compelled to deny the appeal. Councilmember Matucci cast a dissenting vote as a protest, and Councilmember Kalani requested the $750 appeal fee be refunded.
• 9A – Variance Denial (417 Via Anita): The council considered the Planning Commission's recommendation to deny a variance for a two-story home. The proponent argued that the city had not properly investigated the case in 2007/2016. Staff countered that granting the variance would undermine the Hillside Overlay and set a bad precedent. The council unanimously upheld the denial.
• 10A – Military Equipment Use Policy Renewal: Sergeant Michael Estrada presented the annual report, confirming no complaints were received and no equipment was sourced from the military. The council voted to renew the policy and ordinance.

Key Outcomes

• Airport (Item 10B): The council voted 6-1 to reject the proposed settlement and ordinance change, maintaining the current ban on touch-and-go operations. (Mayor Chen opposed; Councilmember Sheikh absent).
• Appeal of Hillside Development (Item 9B): The council voted 5-1 to deny the appeal, upholding the Planning Commission's approval of the two-story home and ADU at 22209 Susana Ave. The council also voted to refund the appellant's $750 fee. (Councilmember Matucci opposed; Councilmember Sheikh absent).
• Variance Denial (Item 9A): The council voted unanimously (6-0) to deny the variance request, upholding the Hillside Overlay at 417 Via Anita. (Councilmember Sheikh absent).
• Military Equipment Policy (Item 10A): The council approved the renewal of Ordinance 3902 and the associated military equipment use policy.
• Future Directives: Councilmember Kalani received council concurrence to direct staff to explore the steps for Torrance to become a designated "Purple Heart City." Councilmember Kalani also asked Community Development to review the Hillside Overlay to see if it can be updated with objective standards.
• Closed Session: The council met in closed session prior to the regular meeting to discuss existing and anticipated litigation, real property negotiations (including properties on El Prado Ave, Andreo Ave, and an LA Metro easement), and labor negotiations with numerous employee groups. No actions were reported out.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned to Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 5:00 PM for a closed session meeting.