TORRANCE, CA Zoning Board of Adjustment
Sundays tracks every public Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting in TORRANCE, CA and summarizes what was decided — variances, site-plan and subdivision applications, and Board of Adjustment hearings. Land-use items are kept off the weekly Sundays email (they're a specialist read), but every one is archived here and verified against the official meeting record. 9 items on file; most recent September 11, 2026.
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Board member report: SoCal ROC program update and enrollment figures
A board member reported on SoCal ROC program growth and cited enrollment figures, including 662 students last year and 296 from Torrance Unified, with 62 enrolled so far this year (noting a cap of 62). The report referenced CTE pathways such as welding, automotive, and electrician programs and noted waiting lists.
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Deny appeal and uphold Planning Commission approval of waiver for setback requirements at 459 Via El Chico
The Council adopted Resolution 2026-80 denying the appeal and upholding the Planning Commission approval of a waiver allowing reduced setback requirements in conjunction with the additions at 459 Via El Chico.
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Deny appeal and uphold Planning Commission approval for precise plan development and waiver at 459 Via El Chico
The Council adopted Resolution 2026-79 denying the appeal and upholding the Planning Commission approval for first and second story additions and an attached basement-level one-car garage at 459 Via El Chico, including a waiver of setback requirements.
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Public hearing appeal: 459 Via El Chico (PRE25-00005 and WAV25-00003) — deny appeal and uphold Planning Commission approval
The Council held a public hearing on an appeal of a Planning Commission approval for additions and a setback waiver at 459 Via El Chico. After staff presentation, appellant and applicant statements, and Council questions, the Council denied the appeal and upheld the approval via Resolutions 2026-79 and 2026-80.
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Oral Communications No. 1 — questions about alleged conflict disclosure, annexation costs, and public safety staffing
A long-time homeowner asked whether the city was investigating an allegation that a councilmember had a relationship with a company that installed a cell tower and failed to disclose/recuse. The speaker also opposed a proposed annexation involving El Camino Village as costly to taxpayers and urged attention to police staffing and burglary crime.
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Public Hearing: Appeal of Planning Commission Approval for Mixed-Use Senior Apartments/Commercial Project (Hawthorne Blvd Corridor Specific Plan; Hillside Overlay District)
Staff presented an appeal item for a mixed-use density bonus project with 20 senior apartments and 168 square feet of commercial space on Hawthorne Boulevard. Staff recommended denying the appeal and upholding Planning Commission approval, including a Class 32 CEQA exemption. Appellants and the applicant team presented opposing views on safety, technical studies, and compliance.
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Public Comment: Requests to Enforce and Strengthen Hillside Overlay Protections; ADU Impacts; Fire and Safety Concerns
Multiple residents from the Hollywood Riviera/hillside overlay area urged the City to enforce and strengthen the hillside overlay ordinance using objective standards, address ADU-related impacts on views/privacy/parking, and consider fire risk and narrow streets. Several speakers criticized perceived exemptions and asked for community meetings and clearer guidance on what the City can do under state law.
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First amendment to development agreement with Gable House Development LLC (22501 Hawthorne Blvd) to defer development impact fees
Council held a public hearing and adopted Ordinance 3969 approving a first amendment to the development agreement for a previously approved mixed-use density bonus project (218 apartment units and ~12,000 sq ft commercial) at 22501 Hawthorne Blvd, deferring development impact fee payment by an additional 120 days under specified conditions. Mayor Chen was absent.
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Evaluation and Update of Hillside Overlay Ordinance
The council discussed updating the Hillside Overlay Ordinance to include objective standards addressing modern development challenges, such as height limits, setbacks, and view protections. Public feedback emphasized the need for stronger regulations to protect privacy, property values, and neighborhood character.