Council adopts Normandy Crossing specific plan after 3-2 vote amid strong public opposition

The Gardena City Council on Tuesday adopted Ordinance No. 18 78, approving the Normandy Crossing specific plan, rezoning several parcels on South Normandy Avenue and related development and affordable‑housing agreements for the Normandy Crossing project.

The 3‑2 vote came after the council rejected a motion to continue consideration for 90 days so residents could review the final environmental impact report and seek legal advice. The ordinance, approved on second reading, rezones about 5.25 acres at 16829–16911 South Normandy Avenue to a Normandy Crossing specific plan, rezones several adjacent parcels, and approves the site plan, a development agreement and an affordable‑housing agreement connected to the project.

Why it matters: The Normandy Crossing plan would replace an industrial/warehouse site near Sam’s Club and Johnson Park with a mixed housing development that the applicant says would create jobs and housing near local workplaces. Opponents focused on what they described as insufficient affordable units (speakers and materials cited 7 affordable units out of about 333 proposed), potential soil vapors and hazmat controls, traffic and parking impacts, construction noise and dust, impacts to solar panels and TV reception, and labor‑standards concerns.

Council action and votes - A motion by Councilmember Wanda Love to continue the item for 90 days (moved by Love; seconded by Councilmember Paulette Francis) failed on a 2‑3 roll call: Love and Francis voted yes; Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, Councilmember Mark Henderson and Mayor Tasha Serta voted no. - A subsequent motion by Mayor Tasha Serta to adopt Ordinance No. 18 78 passed on a 3‑2 roll…