8D
Date: February 25, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Planning Commission and
Michelle Ramirez, Community Development Director
By: Leo Oorts, Planning Manager | [email protected] Subject: Planning Commission and Community Development – Accept and File Planning Commission Annual Report 2024. Expenditure: None.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the Planning Commission and Community Development Director that City Council accept and file the Planning Commission Annual Report 2024.
FUNDING
None required.
DISCUSSION
In accordance with Torrance Municipal Code Section 13.1.7(d), the Planning Commission is required to make an annual report to City Council of its activities from the previous year.
On January 15, 2025, staff presented the 2024 Annual Report to the Planning Commission. The report summarized the activities of the Planning Commission for the period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. Upon conclusion of the item, the Planning Commission approved the 2024 Annual Report and moved that it be forwarded to City Council for acceptance and filing.
A copy of the 2024 Annual Report along with the presentation slides, which summarize key points from the report, have been attached for City Council’s information. It would be appropriate for the City Council to now accept and file this report.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Planning Commission Annual Report 2024
2. Presentation Slides
1 CITY OF TORRANCE
PLANNING COMMISSION
ANNUAL REPORT 2024
Powers and Duties
In accordance with Article 1, Chapter 3, Division 1 of the Torrance Municipal Code, the Planning Commission serves as an advisory to the City Council and conducts public hearings on matters related to land use and development.
Commission Members
The Planning Commission is comprised of seven members, residents of the community, appointed by the City Council to serve a four-year term and no more than two consecutive terms.
In 2024, Commissioner David Kartsonis served as Chair and was reappointed to serve as Chair through July 2025. Commissioner Tony Yeh was appointed to serve as Vice Chair and reappointed to serve as Vice Chair through July 2025. Former Commissioner Mark Choi resigned after serving 3 years. Former Commissioner Robert Ruldoph retired after serving more than 8 years. Commissioners Megan Turner, Mario Obejas, and Dominic Borgialli were newly appointed to serve on the Planning Commission.
Commissioner First Appointed Current Term
Greg Anunson 06/11/2019 07/01/2023 – 06/30/2027
Dominic Borgialli 07/02/2024 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025
David Kartsonis (Chair) 11/17/2020 07/01/2021 – 06/30/2025 Mario Obejas 07/02/2024 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2028
Ron Riggs 08/09/2022 07/01/2023 – 06/30/2027
Megan Turner 01/23/2024 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2028
Tony Yeh (Vice Chair) 06/14/2022 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2026 Meetings and Public Engagement
Planning Commission meetings are held monthly on the first and/or third Wednesday at 6:30pm in the LeRoy J. Jackson Council Chamber located at City Hall, 3031 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90503.
In 2024, the Planning Commission held 16 meetings and conducted 57 public hearings. Announcement of the meetings were made through notice mailers (7,846 total) as well as newspaper ads, site postings, online postings, and the official public notice board.
Meetings are open to the public and any person may provide comments related to items on the meeting agenda. Oral comments are limited to two minutes per speaker for public hearings and limited to one minute per speaker for items not on the agenda or items under Consent Calendar and Administrative Matters. Everyone interested in speaking on an agenda item is heard at the meeting. Written comments may also be addressed to the Planning Commission and delivered by email, regular mail, or submitted in-person to the Permit Center (Planning Counter) in the Community Development Department. 2 ATTACHMENT 1
Support Staff
The Planning Commission is supported by various staff members from the City Attorney's Office, the City Clerk’s O ffice, the Community Development De partment ( Building & Safety Division, Engineering Division, Planning Division), and the Fire Department. The Planning Manager serves as Secretary to the Commission and oversees the Planning Division and the preparation of meeting agendas, staff reports, and staff presentations.
Michelle Ramirez, Community Development Director
Tatia Strader, Assistant City Attorney
Uykheang Keo, Building Official
Anthony Maatubang, Engineering Services Manager
Christopher Rhodes, Senior Fire Prevention Specialist
Brittney Jenkins, Minutes Secretary
Leo Oorts, Planning Manager
Planning Division Staff
Planning Division Staff
The Planning Division is committed to delivering services related to urban planning and design to provide an attractive, safe, and enriching environment that assures a high quality of life in Torrance. The Planning Division is comprised of two sections Development Review and Comprehensive Planning.
Development Review is focused on reviewing development plans for conformance with land use policies and standards, and is responsible for processing development applications, conducting environmental review, and responding to inquiries on zoning and land use. Development Review provides staff support to the Planning Commission and to the City Council.
Comprehensive Planning is focused on developing plans, policies and programs to guide development in Torrance, and is responsible for maintaining the General Plan, conducting special studies related to land use, and collaborating with regional and state agencies. Comprehensive Pl anning provides staff support to the Historic Preservation Commission, and to the Planning Commission and the City Council.
Development Review Comprehensive Planning
Leo Oorts, Planning Manager
Vacant, Senior Planner
Yolanda Gomez, Planning Associate
Natalie Niemeyer, Planning Associate
Luis Velazquez, Planning Associate
Vacant, Planning Associate
Dominique Allen, Planning Assistant
Lee Garcia, Planning Assistant
Austin Lujan, Planning Assistant
Oscar Martinez, Planning Manager
Carolyn Chun, Lead Planning Associate
Kevin Joe, Planning Associate
Adrian Perez, Planning Associate
Peerapol Suree, Planning Associate
Brice Kennedy, Planning Assistant
Summary of Activities
In 2024, the Planning Commission considered 62 projects that involved 80 land use entitlements (e.g., Conditional Use Permits, Precise Plans, Waivers). Among the projects considered, a project approval rate of 95% was achieved with the remaining projects either continued (3%) or denied (2%). A total of 3 appeals (5%) were received with 1 appeal denied (project approved) by the City Council and the other 2 appeals scheduled for consideration. Staff recommendations for project approval or denial received 99% concurrence and 1% nonconcurrence from the Commission.
Projects sorted by location show a distribution of 6% Downtown Torrance, 11% Hawthorne Boulevard Corridor, 35% Hillside Overlay, and 48% Citywide. Projects sorted by land use type show a distribution of 55% Residential, 34% Commercial, 3% Industrial, and 8% Other. A total of 587 dwellings units (net) were approved with 28 dwelling units (5%) reserved for very low income households and 559 dwelling units (95%) reserved for market rate. Among the newly approved dwelling units, the occupancy and building type are 100% owner-occupied and 100% multifamily (i.e., condominiums, townhomes). 3 Major Projects and Land Use Studies
In 2024, the Planning Commission considered 5 major projects and 4 land use studies:
• Torrance Del Amo Project: In March 2024, the Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit and related entitlements to allow the construction of a 272 -unit multifamily residential development on property located in the P -D Zone at 2325 Crenshaw Boulevard . In June 2024 , the City Council denied the appeal and approved the project. • Rexford Industrial Project (Voyager): In A ugust 2024, the Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit and related entitlements to allow the construction of two new light industrial warehouse buildings totaling 68,413 square feet on properties located in the M-2 Zone at 3547-3555 Voyager Street.
• Rexford Industrial Project (Fujita): In August 2024, the Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit and related entitlements to allow the construction of an 87,000 square foot light industrial warehouse building on property located in the M-2 Zone at 3100 Fujita Street. • Anastasi Senior Residential Project: In November 2024, the Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit and related entitlements to allow the construction of a 50-unit senior housing development on property located in the C-3 Zone at 4501 Torrance Boulevard. • Fashion Square at Del Amo Pro ject: In November 2024, the Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit and related entitlements to allow the construction of a 260-unit townhome development on property located in the H-DA1 Zone at the northwest corner of Carson Street and Madrona Avenue at 3405 Carson Street and 21405, 21515 Madrona Avenue. In December 2024, the City Council approved the project.
• Pickleball Courts (Code Amendment): In February 2024, the Planning Commission considered proposed amendments pertaining to regulations that govern the placement of pickleball courts in public parks and the distance between public pickleball courts and residential properties . In March 2024, the City Council adopted the proposed amendments. • Digital Signage and Billboards (Code Amendment): In February 2024, the Planning Commission considered proposed amendments pertaining to regulations that govern digital signs and electronic billboards. In October 2024, the City Council adopted the proposed amendments. • Community Facilities District (Cod e Amendment) : In July 2024, the Planning Commission considered proposed amendments pertaining to the mitigation of project-related adverse impacts using a Community Facilities District (CFD) as provided by the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982. In September 2024, the City Council adopted the proposed amendments. • Solar Energy Systems and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment: In December 2024, the Planning Commission considered proposed amendments pertaining to solar energy systems and expedited permitting process for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE).
Planning Commission Outlook
In 2025, the Planning Commission will consider several major projects that involve multifamily residential developments as well as light industrial warehouse developments. Also expected are several land use studies that involve Code amend ments to streamline the development review process, codify recent changes in State law, and update development standards . No changes are expected to the number of land use entitlements requested such as Conditional Use Permits (CUP) for restaurants adding beer and wine sales or Precise Plans (PRE) for residential projects proposed within the Hillside Overlay.
End of Report
4 Planning Commission
Annual Report 2024
1 5
ATTACHMENT 2
Annual Report
2 Torrance Municipal Code Section 13.1.7(d)
“The Commission shall make an annual report to the City Council of its activities for the previous year and shall make such other reports as it shall deem necessary or proper.”
6 Planning Commission
3 Serves as an advisory to the City Council and conducts public hearings on matters related to land use and development. • 7 Members
• 4-Year Term (Two Term Limit)
• Quasi-judicial Body
• Monthly Meetings (1st and 3rd Wednesdays)
• Community Development Department Staff Liaison
7 Planning Commission Members
4 David Kartsonis, Chair
Tony Yeh, Vice Chair
Greg Anunson
Dominic Borgialli
Mario Obejas
Ron Riggs
Megan Turner
8 Planning Commission Staff
5 Michelle Ramirez, Community Development Director
Tatia Strader, Assistant City Attorney
Uykheang Keo, Building Official
Anthony Maatubang, Engineering Services Manager
Christopher Rhodes, Senior Fire Prevention Specialist
Brittney Jenkins, Minutes Secretary
Leo Oorts, Planning Manager
Planning Division Staff
9 Planning Division Structure
6 Development Review
Entitlement Review
Permit Counter Services
Building Plan Check
Planning Commission
Comprehensive Planning
General Plan
Land Use Studies
Interagency Projects
Historic Preservation
10 Planning Division Staff
7 Development Review
Planning Manager (1)
Senior Planner (1)
Planning Associates (4)
Planning Assistants (3)
Comprehensive Planning
Planning Manager (1)
Senior Planner (1)
Planning Associates (3)
Planning Assistants (1)
11 Public Engagement
8 16 Meetings
57 Hearings
7,846 Mailers
12 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Number of Projects by Month
9 2
7 TOTAL
62 7
5 13
Number of Entitlements by Type
10 95%
CUP PRE WAV MOD DIV EXT EAS PCR GPA PUD
31 16
9 8
7 4
2 1
1 1
TOTAL
80 14
Project Approval Rate
11 95% Approved (59)
2% Denied (1)
3% Continued (2) 95%
APPROVED
* 5% Appeal Rate (3)
15 Staff Recommendation Rate
12 99% Concurrence
1% Nonconcurrence*
99%
CONCURRENCE
* Project Continued
16 Projects by Focus Area
13 95%
Citywide Hillside Overlay Hawthorne
Corridor
Downtown
Torrance
6%
48%
35%
11%
TOTAL
62 17
Projects by Land Use Type
14 55% Residential
34% Commercial
3% Industrial
8% Other
55%
34%
18 New Dwelling Units Approved by Project
15 95%
Rose Equities Lennar Anastasi Withee De La Rosa
272 260
50 3
2 587 Units (Net)
*ADUs Not Included
19 New Dwelling Units by Building Type
16 100% Multifamily (587)
0% Single Family (0)
100%
MULTIFAMILY*
* Townhomes Included
20 New Dwelling Units by Occupancy Type
17 100% Owner (587)
0% Renter (0)
100%
CONDOMINIUMS *
* Townhomes Included
21 New Dwelling Units by Affordability
18 95%
MARKET RATE
5% Very Low Income (28)
95% Market Rate (559)
22 Major Projects Considered
19 Torrance Del Amo Project
2325 Crenshaw Boulevard
Multifamily Residential
272 Dwelling Units (28 VLI)
Approved by City Council
Source: Rose Equities
23 Major Projects Considered
20 Fashion Square at Del Amo
3405 Carson Street
Multifamily Residential
260 Dwelling Units
Approved by City Council
Source: Lennar Homes
24 Major Projects Considered
21 Anastasi Development
4501 Torrance Boulevard
Senior Residential
50 Dwelling Units
Approved by
Planning Commission
Source: Anastasi Development
25 Major Projects Considered
22 Rexford Development
3100 Fujita Street
Light Industrial Building
91,700 square feet
Approved by
Planning Commission
Source: Rexford Development
26 Major Projects Considered
23 Rexford Development
3555 Voyager Avenue
Two Light Industrial Buildings
68,413 square feet total
Approved by
Planning Commission
Source: Rexford Development
27 Land Use Studies
24 Digital Signage &
Electronic Billboards
Considered by
Planning Commission
Approved by City Council
Source: movia.com
28 Land Use Studies
25 Solar Energy Systems &
EV Supply Equipment
Considered by
Planning Commission
Scheduled for City Council
Source: fsg.com
29 Comprehensive Planning Initiatives
26 Religious Institution Housing Overlay
Tentatively Scheduled Spring 2025
“No Net Loss” Sites Inventory Monitor
Tentatively Scheduled Spring 2025
Target Density Ordinance
Tentatively Scheduled Spring 2025
30 Development Review Outlook
27 + Light Industrial Development
+ Multifamily Residential Development
+ Density Bonus & Affordable Dwelling Units
- Commercial Development
-
Professional Office Floor Area
-
Smaller Retail/Restaurant Buildings
31 Planning Commission
Annual Report 2024
28 32