[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6623283,"mediaKeyId","2775113-44db82e46608aed9aced545836488cb2","parentId",2775113,"title","City presents 2024 year‑in‑review and expands resident communication tools","audioSeconds",142,"startMs",6554000,"endMs",6696000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2775113-44db82e46608aed9aced545836488cb2&start=6554&end=6696","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2775113-44db82e46608aed9aced545836488cb2/thumbnail_6554000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6623283/Torrance-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/City-presents-2024-yearinreview-and-expands-resident-communication-tools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623283-5127c06b3862c2e225e88e5c8c6df562/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174590&Signature=ZOubok~fTBmaEjpoxSkqTqxEtVVdbI9MwOfmwQ~gg3hIy0BKCP2bGz0ms1jfK5UKj35tjG0QbEtQCKG-eiQe3jcfIEwO4OdFztxNcXp0K~~RJicfiuVBroXFZBeD0VzE3m9Zes-IbgygQtcwJz2vLSfW1zNaDn4E8mdtCkA5UZ2gOBIuhknqKrNPbEEQ4VScNMiCy0tljiDm248xu3NieSNO7AcgDsNL1E3bg4bPla1UpWa~23tjpmNMtdVkSpOR5IYd52CCObTMs~MQ7ilqucQXMWekpMJmhxPbd2231xlocFEy4MIhU1YdZ~ivmeBzjI4sOD6Vi52CoCIs-zfHAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-26T04:20:54Z","article","City communications staff presented the City of Torrance’s fourth annual “Year in Review,” summarizing highlights from 2024 and promoting new and existing channels for resident engagement.

Lauren Allen of the City Manager’s Office introduced the report as a high‑level snapshot of fiscal highlights, capital improvements, public safety programs and community events. The presentation referenced dashboards for Measure S/T funding, the Capital Improvement Plan and homeless‑services dashboards, and noted the Torrance Police Department’s recruitment pilot and the Fire Department’s new ALS/BLS ambulance.

Staff encouraged residents to access the full report at torranceca.gov/yearinreview, to download the My Torrance CA app to report issues and access services, and to subscribe to the weekly Torrance newsletter. The presentation also highlighted social media channels (X, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram) and asked residents to follow city accounts for updates; staff noted the city recently reached 20,000 Instagram followers and set a 2025 goal of 25,000.

No council action was required; the presentation was informational. Council members thanked staff and the Fire Department for the work summarized in the report.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Torrance City Council Meeting March 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented the fourth annual City of Torrance year‑in‑review, highlighted service and capital project dashboards, and promoted digital channels including the My Torrance CA app and city social media accounts.","taxTitle","Torrance City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",4696,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6623287,"Council designates Madrona Avenue as Underground Utility District No. 21",175,14470000,14645000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2775113-44db82e46608aed9aced545836488cb2&start=14470&end=14645","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2775113-44db82e46608aed9aced545836488cb2/thumbnail_14470000.jpg","/articles/6623287/Torrance-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-designates-Madrona-Avenue-as-Underground-Utility-District-No-21","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623287-38144006ac8a5072ea197308b8fec764/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174590&Signature=RSSPLH19uvy7DfsJu8M4xLqXRyanBzF55~Qgd7Ixv6O6wzuHMO92Bsekb3WfAPfjej3XBL7F9Z2tqZiTH0~BpLoAewiTtJvhiFrXVPsB3YnBtwcK6BCPVL~EYOmUuWfu-PZeM9RDr6VrY3QIAWdSDeD75xpp14~CITIg-pHekGQ3KPoZxaFGYbEOxawzlBZf7lD1P9dvpFUEWdiU6gn4wrTt-GzplqPjj~HDP1OyJfGInbsTp7oxE-2KfDkYCe3deznojskqrLWQg0LLqaFnOECHlotVcDkOKDOpj3pAUI1lHw-UD00jMIr1Vvbvz1k-NzJrxkJI4cQzsukkST0Efw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Torrance City Council held a required public hearing and then adopted a resolution designating Madrona Avenue from Civic Center Drive to Torrance Boulevard as Underground Utility District No. 21.

Public Works staff explained the hearing is an administrative step to determine the necessity and benefit of undergrounding existing overhead utilities along that block of Madrona Avenue. Staff said the work is expected to be funded using the city’s Rule 28 work credit balance so no city funds should be required for construction.

One member of the public offered general comments about construction impacts and underground transformers; there were no formal objections recorded. After the public hearing the council adopted the resolution establishing the district (resolution number recorded in the meeting materials). The motion carried with Council Members Kaji and Sheikh absent.

Public Works will proceed with project programming and with further outreach and design work as required under the underground utility district process.","The council adopted a resolution establishing Underground Utility District No. 21 along Madrona Avenue from Civic Center Drive to Torrance Boulevard; staff said the project will use the city's Rule 20/28 work credit balance and is expected to avoid use of city funds.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6623291,"Torrance Fire Department outlines steps after CAL FIRE issues 2025 LRA hazard zone maps",209,6766000,6975000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2775113-44db82e46608aed9aced545836488cb2&start=6766&end=6975","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2775113-44db82e46608aed9aced545836488cb2/thumbnail_6766000.jpg","/articles/6623291/Torrance-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Torrance-Fire-Department-outlines-steps-after-CAL-FIRE-issues-2025-LRA-hazard-zone-maps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623291-aa4a992f564b84a5ff34b67deac691ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174590&Signature=o~XdeX7M~ExdtRAumO99vJ2PqJ9kJk4XHVEOBbWaFFMMk0lBda9fBkdGlLXtb6a-gDjXyKss3rc2SSty2u6UdXVvfv1RW9JFFjYYlcn4J-5EzlDX~ZPdlWsLLlCJhtWSQHw2bWJhllGwQQQs-ApoFCakGrtdSeQniYpYCGiQAt38nbOsgHTkKUC083EJWLWEE7A7wmhKcgUWUEmi5GVvr-mMXhAeenABXYhunajs~8XftylXZUGcKVJy7hiDJghYLjKSPNWoUrbTiZ~hp4cNqycUpN~VoFQ3Lg5j6BjUVst8UIzPNjaRY~c39So-1j5INrSLGAOe~76~Q8GSo07ZeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Torrance Fire Chief David Dume told the council that the California Office of the State Fire Marshal released its 2025 recommended Local Responsibility Area (LRA) Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps and that parts of Torrance are affected, triggering a state‑mandated local process.

Chief Dume said the maps—which are based on wildfire history, fuels and other science‑driven inputs—are available at OSFM.fire.ca.gov for public review. He told the council the city must publish the updated LRA maps for public review within 30 days of issuance (April 20, 2025) and must formally adopt the maps through an ordinance process within 120 days (July 22, 2025). The department anticipates future building and vegetation management requirements for parcels newly designated in higher hazard categories, and it plans targeted outreach for affected neighborhoods.

To support community understanding, Dume said the department will maintain a Torrance Fire webpage, post on social media, and schedule in‑person and virtual public hearings in accordance with legal notification requirements. He named the California Building Code Chapter 7A and Public Resources Code 4291 (defensible space requirements) as statutory contexts property owners may need to meet following map adoption.

Chief Dume acknowledged the process is state‑mandated and described the city’s role as ensuring transparency, public access and compliance with required steps. The Fire Department said it will coordinate internal and public planning and provide resources for property owners who may be newly subject to defensible‑space or building‑construction standards.

No council vote was required; staff said the next steps are outreach and scheduling public hearings to meet the state timeline.

“Public hearings will also be scheduled to meet all legal notification and participation requirements,” Dume said; “our goal is to ensure that property owners are fully informed, especially those who may now be subject to the California Building Code Chapter 7A and defensible space requirements under Public Resources Code 4291.”","The Torrance Fire Department briefed council on CAL FIRE’s recommended 2025 Local Responsibility Area (LRA) Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps and outlined required public‑review and ordinance adoption deadlines and forthcoming community outreach.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6623296,"Torrance council appoints residents to multiple city commissions; oaths administered",765,7184000,7949000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2775113-44db82e46608aed9aced545836488cb2&start=7184&end=7949","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2775113-44db82e46608aed9aced545836488cb2/thumbnail_7184000.jpg","/articles/6623296/Torrance-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Torrance-council-appoints-residents-to-multiple-city-commissions-oaths-administered","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623296-ebb890de91717c2e24f2270abf231d61/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174590&Signature=mUicYoIQuHTuNP7SUHRXo8xLp5TGsiPZih9nY4o6CAv0YueRynFbzOwVjeqNVt82N-wRw1iVFAJQyYlmmttf3sLMzfr5v0igicoXi~ENQDX-wf10Y~8zOtnnUD-gN1rqxh059c~QXF9WmSKZZG94thS53KAKpc9FvsnGCXD5oj9vLxtUk5Q~DPcTst4D-Q5QJ5DupS-xB4osDwjR3VajHE4S7DtU5Kjic84sX7XIAFCsO6ZXRL~2SvRxxPgbLwnlDyx~gLxebrw6gBECaaLYdxaXVgmwiVZQfA2VXZFUhCc2H0i~tTNCsHsVWFzwSXnkI~JcyzdIJeIGVfuoWgS5ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the meeting the Torrance City Council conducted its annual commission appointment process and appointed multiple residents to city commissions, then voted to accept all appointments.

The city clerk announced a slate of applicants for multiple commissions and described the appointment procedure. Council members nominated individual candidates for specific commissions during the meeting; several nominations required additional rounds of voting to reach a majority. The council administered oaths of office to newly appointed commissioners immediately after votes were finalized.

Among the appointments announced on the record were the appointment of Mia (appointed to the Civil Service Commission), Keith Montoya (appointed to a commission), and Kim Wang (appointed to a commission). After nominations and roll calls, the council voted to accept all appointments in a single motion; the motion carried with Council Member Kaji absent. The council then administered the oath to those newly appointed members.

A separate motion to approve all of the appointments carried; council members discussed longstanding practice discouraging “commission hopping” (appointing a current commissioner to another commission) to reduce vacancies and turnover. The city clerk reminded applicants that commissioners must be registered voters of Torrance and must have completed required training before appointment. The council encouraged residents who were not selected to reapply for future vacancies.","The council appointed several residents to fill commission vacancies and administered oaths of office; the council then approved all appointments in a single vote.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6623301,"Torrance council upholds planning commission, approves second‑story addition with privacy conditions",5331,9079000,14410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2775113-44db82e46608aed9aced545836488cb2&start=9079&end=14410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2775113-44db82e46608aed9aced545836488cb2/thumbnail_9079000.jpg","/articles/6623301/Torrance-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Torrance-council-upholds-planning-commission-approves-secondstory-addition-with-privacy-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623301-73b7bae789da2206cb0d15d8dc8310b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174590&Signature=PbMFtacDarR1qQYO4PHoU8~w~8QB0iTOgjEJBscaY2gD6aJRLgPG34wMlvS6PPIX6UPKPCRRE-CvYMXtony-sfWwlW4xlSP8xYjj~r9IE-YhLOKytoEMXRUo4lg4Rq89zRAljPlTSnWnln0FaDS3~RWCNYSmc0x2-kwSC8ZLh1SyLx91d~7QDx5s8xVYIpInZ8fyjM8lfcTGO5-wNVJSvEUrMRgIZvbB0mkjuALhb4v0U0WHnzuIRx2QyVsGtrvYiip3fm03OZOcSfmFA0JZM6IIPwJsg~2Di6M0mHea5GnMkpXgTtlkhaGvc0lFub5I9xvtfckvf9OQNi-Z5yrvkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Torrance City Council on March 25 denied an appeal and adopted a resolution approving a precise plan of development for additions to a single‑family home at 671 Kaira Miramar, with amended conditions requiring additional screening on the new second‑story balcony.

Staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval of the project, which proposes one‑ and two‑story additions to an existing 1952 house. The council vote followed more than an hour of testimony from the adjoining homeowner who filed the appeal, the project applicants and their attorney, multiple neighbors and several council members who pressed for design changes to reduce direct sight lines into adjoining yards.

The Planning Division told the council the site measures 6,996 square feet and that the proposed additions would create 3,368 square feet of total floor area (0.48 floor‑area ratio, below the 0.60 limit for the R‑1 zone). Staff said proposed lot coverage (2,376 square feet) and usable open space (4,253 square feet) meet code. Because of the existing garage and house configuration, staff said a waiver of front, side and rear setback requirements was necessary to permit the second‑story addition; that waiver is commonly used in hillside lots with irregular geometry.

Neighbor Cameron Roberts, who filed the appeal, told council the second‑story balcony and adjacent windows would “eliminate[] that privacy” in his backyard and presented photos and line‑of‑sight diagrams. He said the planning commission and staff had not afforded the public adequate time to comment and argued for changes including relocation or screening of the balcony and opaque or relocated windows.

The applicants, Adi and Brenda (owners), through their attorney Christine Friese, said the house has been vacant for years, that the proposed balcony faces northwest toward the ocean rather than directly across the downslope, and that many of the alternate designs suggested by the appellant are not structurally feasible. Architect Matthew (designer) noted the balcony bottom sits approximately 8 feet 3 inches above the west elevation and that the second‑story setback from the property line meets the minimum required distance shown on the plans.

Council members pressed both sides for compromise. Council members said they were persuaded that the project otherwise complies with the hillside overlay and municipal code but that reasonable design adjustments should be required to reduce privacy impacts. The council added a condition — to be implemented to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director — requiring a solid or translucent guard wall/rail on the north elevation of the second‑story balcony (in lieu of the proposed full‑height glass guardrail), and made clear the director will review materials and final details. Staff also discussed enhanced landscape screening as a mitigation measure, but the council did not adopt specific planting plans (those details are to be coordinated during final plan review).

After deliberations, a council member moved to deny the appeal and adopt the precise plan approval as amended; the motion carried unanimously with Council Member Kaji absent.

The approvals include two resolutions referenced in the record: the resolution approving the precise plan of development and the companion resolution granting the setback waivers. The Community Development Department will work with the applicants to incorporate the guard wall and related details into the final building permit submittal and will post any supplemental materials received during the public comment period to the administrative record.

Votes at a glance: Deny appeal and approve precise plan (as amended) — motion carried unanimously; Council Member Kaji absent.

The council’s action allows the applicants to proceed with building permit submittal subject to the added condition; neighbors retain the record of the hearing and the city’s public record of comments.","The Torrance City Council denied an appeal and adopted a precise plan allowing one‑ and two‑story additions at 671 Kaira Miramar, approving setback waivers and requiring modifications to mitigate privacy concerns raised by a neighbor.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City presents 2024 year‑in‑review and expands resident communication tools

Council designates Madrona Avenue as Underground Utility District No. 21

Torrance Fire Department outlines steps after CAL FIRE issues 2025 LRA hazard zone maps

Torrance council appoints residents to multiple city commissions; oaths administered

Torrance council upholds planning commission, approves second‑story addition with privacy conditions