Board approves amendment to Hamilton property agreement; TrueMark Homes says due diligence will close
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Summary
The board authorized a first amendment to the exchange agreement for the Hamilton Adult Education property, allowing the developer (TrueMark Homes) to close due diligence and move toward a tentative tract map; the board also approved a series of consent items including a donated scoreboard with city maintenance under a 10‑year agreement.
The Torrance Unified School District board voted Nov. 3 to adopt a resolution authorizing a first amendment to the exchange agreement and joint escrow instructions related to the Hamilton Adult Education Center, advancing a developer’s due diligence and the project toward a tentative tract map.
Dr. Butler (Speaker 13) briefed the board on the June 16, 2025 resolution that launched the property repurposing process and the district’s selection of TrueMark as the developer. She said the amendment approved by the board would allow due diligence to close the following day and would let TrueMark move forward with city coordination and work toward a tentative tract map so the developer can proceed with escrow and eventual ownership transfer, with an expected timeframe into 2026.
Randy Maples, director of land acquisition for TrueMark Homes (Speaker 14), described a redesigned site plan with emphasis on walkability and neighborhood connections and praised district and city staff for responsive coordination. “We’re very excited about this project,” Maples said, adding the company has refined the site plan and expects to proceed after due diligence closes.
Dr. Butler said district staff will continue to coordinate with youth sports partners, noting that little-league and softball groups have been kept apprised. Trustees asked whether the amendment and the associated documents were available to the public; staff confirmed the first amendment was placed on the public table with agendas for review.
The board approved the resolution by motion (motion carries). The staff presentation did not include a final development schedule or detailed financing attached to the amendment; Dr. Butler said the district expects ownership transfer sometime in 2026.
Votes at a glance (items considered and outcome): - Item 11.1 — Reappointment of Terry Reagans to the Personnel Commission: approved (motion carries). - Item 11.3 — Resolution authorizing first amendment to the Hamilton property exchange agreement (developer TrueMark Homes): approved (motion carries). - Consent Agenda (items 13.1–19.10): approved (motion carries); items 16.2 (English Learner plan) and 19.4 (scoreboard) were pulled for separate consideration and subsequently approved.
On pulled item 19.4 trustees discussed the scoreboard for Torrance High School’s baseball field and whether the project was funded by community donations; staff said the scoreboard will be purchased and installed with community donations and that the city will maintain it under a 10-year agreement once installed. Trustees also discussed field lighting and suggested the district or the city consider lighting upgrades in coordination with the scoreboard installation.
