RESOLUTTON NO. 2026-27
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, AS PROVIDED FOR IN
DIVISION 9, CHAPTER 1, ARTICLE 41 OF THE
TORRANCE MUNICIPAL CODE FOR THE APPROVAL OFA MINOR HILLSIDE EXEMPTION TO ALLOW AN AS.
BUILT REAR YARD DECK ON PROPERTY LOCATED
WITHIN THE HILLSIDE OVERLAY IN THE SINGLE.
FAMTLY RESTDENTTAL D|STR|CT (R-1) ZONE AT 5608
WHITE COURT
MHE24-00037: MIKE BOOSLER (SHUJI AND LOR! YAMADA)
WHEREAS, an application was filed on July 5, 2024, by Mike Boosler (Shuji and LoriYamada) for consideration by the Community Development Director of a Minor Hillside Exemption (MHE24- 00037) to allow an as-built rear yard deck on property located within the Hillside Overlay in the Single-Family Residential District (R-1) Zone at 5608 White Court; and WHEREAS, the Community Development Director approved MHE24-00037, as conditioned, on August 29,2024; and
WHEREAS, an appeal to the Planning Commission was filed on September 13,2024; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Torrance conducted a duly noticed public hearing on January 15,2025, to consider an appealfiled by Mike Boosler (Shujiand LoriYamada) for the consideration of MHE24-00037 to allow an as-built rear yard deck on property located within the Hillside Overlay in the R-1 Zone at 5608 White Court; and WHEREAS, at the Planning Commission meeting of January 15,2025, a motion for denial of the appeal and for the approval of MHE24-00037, as conditioned, passed by a unanimous vote; and WHEREAS, an appeal to the City Council was filed on January 28,2025, and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Torrance conducted a duly noticed public hearing on March 24,2026, to consider an appeal filed by Shuji and Lori Yamada forthe consideration of MHE24-00037 to allow an as-built rear yard deck on property located within the Hillside Overlay in the R-1 Zone at 5608 White Court; and
WHEREAS, at the City Council meeting of March 24, 2026, a motion to uphold the appeal and for the approval of MHE24-00037, as conditioned, passed by a roll call vote; WHEREAS, due and legal publication of notice was given to owners of property in the vicinity thereof and due and legal hearings have been held, all in accordance with the provisions of Division 9, Chapter 1, Article 41 of the Torrance Municipal Code; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Torrance does hereby find and determine as follows:
a) That the project site is located at 5608 White Court (APN 7S1B-019-014);
b) That the project site is described as Lot 227 olTract22228 as per map recorded in the Office of the Los Angeles County Recorder, State of California; c) That the project is Categorically Exempt pursuant to the 2026 Guidelines for lmplementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Article 19, Section 15303(e) (New Construction and Accessory Structures), as the project involves an accessory deck and no unusual circumstances exist;
d) That the project complies with the objective development standards of the Single-Family ' Residential District (R-1) Zone and the Torrance Municipal Code and is consistent with the Low Density Residential (R-LO) land use designation of the General Plan of the City of Torrance;
e) That the project, as conditioned, will not have a substantial adverse impact upon the view, light, air, and privacy of other properties in the vicinity because the as-built deck is constructed at the same finished floor elevation of the residence, does not exceed 24-inches above the lowest adjacent grade, and does not substantially rise above nor substantially extend beyond the natural slope of the rear yard. ln addition, the as-built deck does not result in a substantial change to the physical conditions of the site or surrounding hillside area, therefore limiting the potential to have a substantial adverse impact onto other properties in the vicinity; f) That the project, as conditioned, has been located, planned, and designed so as to cause the least intrusion on the views, light, air, and privacy of other properties in the vicinity because the as-built deck is constructed at the same finished floor elevation of the residence, does not exceed 24-inches above the lowest adjacent grade, and does not substantially rise above nor substantially extend beyond the natural slope of the rear yard. ln addition, the as-built deck does not result in a substantial change to the physical conditions of the site or surrounding hillside area, therefore limiting the potential to have a substantial adverse impact onto other properties in the vicinity;
g) That the project, as conditioned, provides an orderly and attractive development in harmony with other properties in the vicinity because the as-built deck is compatible in scale, form, and placement with surrounding hillside residential development and represents an improvement to the rear yard;
h) That the project, as conditioned, will not have a harmful impact upon the land values and investment of other properties in the vicinity because the as-built deck is compatible with surrounding single-family hillside development and does not introduce features that would adversely affect neighborhood character or property values; i) That granting such application would not be materially detrimental to the public welfare and to other properties in the vicinity, because the as-built rear yard deck complies with the objective development standards of ,the R-1 Zone and the planning and design provisions of the Hillside Overlay, including provisions intended to minimize visual intrusion and protect privacy in hillside areas, and is consistent with the R-LO land use designation of the General Plan of the City of Torrance; and
j) That the project, as conditioned, would not cause or result in a substantialadverse cumulative impact on other properties in the vicinity because it does not alter established development patterns, viewing relationships, or topographic conditions within the hillside area and complies with the objective development standards of the R-1 Zone and the planning and design provisions of the Hillside Overlay.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE lT RESOLVED that MHE24-00037 filed by Mike Boosler (Shuji and Lori Yamada) for the consideration of a Minor Hillside Exemption to allow an as-built rear yard deck on property located within the Hillside Overlay in the R-1 Zone at 5608 White Court, on file in the Community Development Department of the City of Torrance, is hereby APPROVED subject to the following conditions:
1. That use of the subject property shall be subject to all conditions imposed in MHE24-00037; and any amendments thereto or modifications thereof as may be approved from time to time . pursuant to Section 92.28.1 et seq. of the Torrance Municipal Code on file in the office of the Community Development Director of the City of Torrance; and further, that the said use shall be established or constructed and shall be maintained in conformance with such maps, plans, specifications, drawings, applications or other documents presented by the applicant to the Community Development Department and upon which the City Council relied in granting approval;
2. That if MHE24-00037 is not used within one year after granting of the permit, it shall expire and become null and void unless extended by the Community Development Director for an additional period as provided for in Section 92.27 .1 of the Torrance Municipal Code;
3. That the applicant shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City of Torrance and its agents, officers, and employees from and against any claim, action, or proceeding against the City agency or its agents, officers, or employees to attack, set aside, void, or annul an approval by the City, including, without limitation, an action by an advisory commission, appeal board, or legislative body concerning this discretionary approval. This defense and indemnification shall include the payment of all legal costs incurred on behalf of the City in connection with the application, and the defense of any claim, action or proceeding challenging the approval of the application or the project. The City will promptly notify the applicant of any claim, action, or proceeding and agrees to cooperate to the extent required for an effective defense. ln the event a legal challenge to the discretionary approval is successful, and an award of attorney fees is made to the challenger, the applicant shall be responsible to pay the full amount of such an award; and
4. That the applicant shall obtain all building permits and safety inspections necessary for the project.
INTRODUCED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 24th day of March 2026. rge K. Chen
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
PATRICK Q. SULLIVAN, City Attorney ATTEST:
by:/*¿ a
7þTatia Y. Strader, Assistant City Attorney Re irier,
L_-
ity Clerk
TORRANCE CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2026.27
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
CITY OF TORRANCE
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l, Rebecca Poirier, City Clerk of the City of Torrance, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly introduced, approved, and adopted by the City Council of the City of Torrance at a regular meeting of said Council held on the 24th day of March 2026 by the following roll call vote:
AYES COUNCILMEMBERS Gerson, Kaji,
Mayor Chen.
None.
None.
None.
Kalani Lewis, Mattucci, Sheikh, and
Date ?n!Re Poirier,
City Clerk of the City of Torrance
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
COUNCILMEMBERS
COUNCILMEMBERS
COUNCILMEMBERS