Gardena council splits 3-2 on Normandy Crossing project after hours-long hearing

Gardena — After more than three hours of testimony and technical presentations, the Gardena City Council voted on Jan. 14 to move forward with the Normandy Crossing specific plan, a revised 333‑unit housing project on a 5.25‑acre site bounded by West 160th Street, 170th Street, Normandy Avenue and Brighton Way.

City staff and the developer described a lowered‑height, reduced‑density proposal from earlier drafts: 258 apartment units in a five‑story building and 75 three‑story for‑sale townhomes, with one below‑grade parking level serving the apartments and expanded guest parking for the townhomes.

Why it matters

The Normandy Crossing site was included in the city’s housing‑element pipeline and has been the subject of a multi‑year planning review and environmental analysis. Supporters said the project brings housing variety, transit access and $3.1 million in one‑time impact fees and ongoing tax revenue; opponents warned of increased traffic, parking strain and privacy impacts for nearby single‑family homes.

What the council decided

- The council voted 3‑2 to adopt Resolution No. 6683 certifying the revised and updated Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR), with Mayor Tasha Serta, Mayor Pro Tem Ronnie Tanaka and Councilmember Mark Henderson voting yes and Councilmembers Paulette Francis and Wanda Love voting no. - The council voted 3‑2 to adopt Resolution No. 6684 amending the Land Use Plan to adopt the Normandy Crossing specific plan (same yes/no breakdown). - The council introduced Ordinance No. 18,78 (first reading) to add the Normandy Crossing specific plan to Gardena’s zoning code and to approve the specific plan text, the development agreement and an affordable‑housing agreement; the ordinance will return for a required second reading. - The council approved Resolution No. 6685, the vesting tentative map, by the same 3‑2 margin; the map merges four parcels and establishes the condominium/townhome parcel plus the apartment parcel.

Project and changes since early drafts

Developers presented a series of reductions since an original proposal that included a seven‑story building and up to 403 units. The revised plan showed a five‑story apartment building (70 feet) and 75 townhomes in 11 buildings, with an underground parking level and 387 parking stalls for apartments and two‑car garages for townhomes. The project also guarantees seven units at the moderate‑income level; earlier drafts included 20 low‑income units but those were removed as the project footprint and parking strategy changed.

An environmental consultant said the EIR identified several areas requiring mitigation and one…