1 AMENDMENTS TO THE TORRANCE TRACT
HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN
ITEM # 10C
CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 9, 2026
OVERVIEW OF AMENDMENTS
• Primary Additions
• Commercial Content
• What Makes a Property Historic ?
• Design considerations for historic &
non-historic properties
• Key Edits
• Clarifies Torrance Tract Overlay
Zone management vs historic
designation
• Add Recommendations
• Minor language, terminology clarifications,
and corrections as a result of these and
other citywide changes
2017 Original 2026
Amended
Added
Edited
COMMERCIAL CONTENT
Chapter 2: History, Character, Styles
• Outlines Downtown Torrance's commercial
development from 1912 to late-20th century,
existing character, and architectural styles
Chapter 4: Key Finding
• Downtown lacks sufficient cohesion to be a
strong historic district
• Individual properties may still qualify as
Landmarks
Chapter 6: Commercial Storefront Guidance
• Approach 1: Retain and repair
• Approach 2: Compatible changes
• Approach 3: New or replacement storefront
WHAT MAKES A PROPERTY
HISTORIC? (CHAPTER 4)
• Similar to “What Makes a Good Historic
District” but for individual designation
• New section walks through historic context,
designation criteria, and integrity thresholds
• Explanation and examples about meeting
the seven (7) designation criteria
• Integrity thresholds most relevant by criteria
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
(CHAPTER 6)
Historic Properties – Individual &
Contributing Resources
• Retain original and/or character-defining features
• Repair first, then replace in kind
• Areas previously altered can continue to be altered
Restore missing features or return property to earlier
period – based on evidence
• Compatible alterations
• Compatibility in terms of large scale (size, scale,
proportion, and massing) then details (materials,
colors, ornamentation)
• Different yet compatible – take cues from existing
• Additions – subordinate to historic and reversible
RECOMMENDATIONS
(CHAPTER 7)
• Additional recommendations:
• Encourage Mills Act applications
• Options to encourage restoring
commercial buildings or reinforcing the
historic character of Downtown
Torrance, such as:
• Design or compatibility project review
• Commercial design standards or
guidelines
• A revised or new façade improvement
program.
• Flexibility through the California
Historical Building Code
8 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
RECOMMENDATIONS
• Conduct a workshop and receive public and City Council input on the proposed amendments to the Historic
Preservation Plan; and
• Adopt the amended Historic Preservation Plan; and
• Discuss and consider amending the Torrance Municipal Code to lower the property owner consent threshold for the creation of a Historic District from 100% to 60%.
9 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
RECOMMENDATIONS
• Conduct a workshop and receive public and City Council input on the proposed amendments to the Historic
Preservation Plan; and
• Adopt the amended Historic Preservation Plan.