8B
Date: April 7, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Michelle Ramirez, Community Development Director
By: Robert Garcia, Planning Manager | [email protected] Subject: Planning Commission and Community Development – Accept and File the 2025 Planning Commission Annual Report. Expenditure: None.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the Planning Commission and Community Development Director that City Council accept and file the 2025 Planning Commission Annual Report.
FUNDING
None required.
DISCUSSION
On February 18, 2026, staff presented the 2025 Planning Commission Annual Report to the Planning Commission. The report summarized the activities of the Planning Commission for the period January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. Upon conclusion of the item, the Planning Commission approved the 2025 Planning Commission Annual Report and moved that it be forwarded to City Council for acceptance and filing.
A copy of the 2025 Planning Commission Annual Report has been attached for the City Council’s information. It would be appropriate for the City Council to now accept and file this report.
ATTACHMENT
1. 2025 Planning Commission Annual Report
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.
On July 8, 2025, Commissioners David Kartsonis, and Dominic Borgialli were reappointed to serve on the Planning Commission by the City Council . In July 2025, Commissioner David Kartsonis served as Chair and was reappointed to serve as Chair through June 2026. Commissioner Tony Yeh served as Vice Chair through June 2025, and Commissioner Megan Turner was appointed to serve as Vice Chair through June 2026.
Commissioner First Appointed Current Term
Greg Anunson 06/11/2019 07/01/2023 – 06/30/2027
Dominic Borgialli 07/02/2024 07/01/2025 – 06/30/2029
David Kartsonis (Chair) 11/17/2020 07/01/2025 – 06/30/2029 Mario Obejas 07/02/2024 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2028
Ron Riggs 08/09/2022 07/01/2023 – 06/30/2027
Megan Turner (Vice Chair) 01/23/2024 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2028 Tony Yeh 06/14/2022 07/01/2022 – 06/30/2026
2 ATTACHMENT 1
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 202 5, the Planning Commission held 21 meetings and conducted 5 6 public hearings. Announcement of the meetings were made through notice mailers (7,001 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.
Support Staff
The Planning Commission is supported by various staff members from the City Attorney's Office, the City Clerk’s Office, the Community Development Department (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
Jennifer Guerrero, Deputy City Attorney
Uykheang Keo, Building Official
Anthony Maatubang, Engineering Services Manager
Christopher Rhodes, Senior Fire Prevention Specialist
Tracy Weaver, Minutes Secretary
Robert Garcia, Planning Manager
Planning Division Staff
3 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 Planning provides staff support to the Historic Preservation Commission, and to the Planning Commission and the City Council.
Development Review Comprehensive Planning
Robert Garcia, Planning Manager
Leo Oorts, Senior Planner
Dominique Allen, Planning Associate
Yolanda Gomez, Planning Associate
Natalie Niemeyer, Planning Associate
Luis Velazquez, Planning Associate
Lee Garcia, Planning Assistant
Austin Lujan, Planning Assistant
Catalina Segovia, Planning Assistant
Oscar Martinez, Planning Manager
Kevin Joe, Planning Associate
Adrian Perez, Planning Associate
Peerapol Suree, Planning Associate
Brice Kennedy, Planning Assistant
Summary of Activities
In 202 5, the Planning Commission considered 49 projects that involved 76 land use entitlements (e.g., Conditional Use Permits, Precise Plans, Waivers). Among the projects considered, 48 projects were approved and one project was denied . A total of one appeal 4 was considered by the Planning Commission. A total of six Planning Commission decisions were appealed, five were upheld, and one was overturned.
Projects sorted by location show a distribution of 5% Downtown Torrance, 1 4% Hawthorne Boulevard Corridor, 22% Hillside Overlay, and 59% Citywide. Projects sorted by land use type show a distribution of 39% Residential, 37% Commercial, 10% Industrial, and 14% Other. A total of 616 dwellings units (net) were approved with 66 dwelling units (11%) reserved for affordable households and 550 dwelling units ( 89%) reserved for market rate. Among the newly approved dwelling units, the occupancy is 6 % owner- and 94% rental. Building type is 100% multifamily (i.e., condominiums, townhomes).
Major Projects and Land Use Studies
In 202 5, the Planning Commission considered seven major projects and four land use studies:
• Atrium Business Center : In March 202 5, the Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit and related entitlements, in conjunction with a modification of previously approved entitlements to allow the redevelopment of the southern portion of the Atrium Business Center to construct a new 56,722 square foot light industrial building.
• City Ventures Project: In March 2025 , the Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit, and related entitlements to allow the construction of a 35 - unit townhome development . The proposal included four moderate-income affordable units.
• Torrance Commerce Center : In April 2025 , the Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit , and related entitlements to allow the construction and operation of a 132,425 square foot warehouse / industrial building, with approximately 20% cold storage.
• Sequoia Commerce Center Project : In May 2025 , the Planning Commission approved Conditional Use Permit, and related entitlements to allow the construction of two industrial buildings totaling 276,300 square feet on a 14.02-acre site. • 3475 Torrance Project : In June 2025 , the Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit and related entitlements to construction of a new mixed-use building consisting of 106 residential units and 12,226 square feet of medical office area. The proposal included eight very low -income and eight moderate -income affordable units. The project was appealed to the City Council. In August 2025, the City Council approved the project.
5 • Brisbane Crossing Industrial Project: In August 2025, the Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit and related entitlements to allow development of a light industrial business park with the construction of two new light industrial warehouse buildings totaling 142,930 square feet. • Vista Homes Project: In November 2025, the Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit and related entitlements in conjunction with a density bonus to allow the construction of a new residential development consisting of 449 residential units. Th e proposal included 45 affordable units . The project was appealed to the City Council. In January 2026, the City Council approved the project. • Religious Institution Housing Overlay Zone : In May 2025, the Planning Commission considered an amendment to the Torrance Municipal Code to establish a Religious Institution Housing Overlay Zone (RIH -OZ). In July 2025 , the City Council adopted the proposed amendments.
• Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units: In July 2025, Planning Commission consider ed proposed amendments to the Torrance Municipal Code pertaining to Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units. In August 2025, the City Council adopted the proposed amendments. • Target Density: In August 2025, the Planning Commission heard the consideration of proposed amendments to the Torrance Municipal Code pertaining to Target Density for all zoning districts Citywide which allow residential or mixed -use development. In September 2025 , the City Council adopted the proposed amendments.
• Tarts, Canopies, and Pop -Up Structures: In September 2025, the Planning Commission heard the consideration of proposed amendments to the Torrance Municipal Code pertaining to Tarps, Canopies, and Pop -Up Structures on Private Property. In December 2025, the City Council considered the amendment.
Planning Commission Outlook
In 202 6, the Planning Commission will consider several major projects that involve multifamily residential developments as well as industrial developments. Also expected are several land use studies that involve Code amendments to streamline the development review process, codify recent changes in State law, and update development standards.
End of Report
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