Torrance council opposes Homekey Plus plan for 3525 Torrance Boulevard, urges county to pull location

Torrance City Council members voted unanimously Friday to send a formal message to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors opposing the selection of 3525 Torrance Boulevard as a Homekey Plus site and requesting the county remove that location from its pending state funding application.

The decision followed a two-hour special meeting at which city staff, county representatives, the proposed project operator and about three dozen residents spoke on the county’s plan to convert the Extended Stay America property into 20 permanent supportive-housing units under Project Homekey. City Manager Adam Chaparian opened the item by saying staff supports addressing homelessness but had identified concerns about concentration, proximity to Del Amo Fashion Center and potential strains on local police and emergency services. “Staff has identified several concerns related to this project for your consideration,” Chaparian said.

Why it matters: Council members and dozens of residents raised worries about site selection, rushed notice and local impacts near schools, senior housing and businesses in Torrance’s commercial core. Supporters of the proposal, including county and nonprofit representatives, said the conversion would create permanent rental housing with leases, on-site…