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Date: October 6, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Aram Chaparyan, City Manager
Ted Stevens, Community Services Director
By: Carmen Rosas, Management Aide | [email protected] Subject: City Manager and Community Services – Adopt Categorical Exemption Under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Approve a Consent to Alterations Agreement for Proposed Work to an Existing Little League Baseball Field to Comply with Incorporated Lease Provision Located at 23701 Ocean Avenue. Expenditure: None.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the City Manager and Community Services Director that City Council:
1. Adopt a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Categorical Exemption pursuant to Guideline Section 15303 (New Construction): and
2. Approve a Consent to Alterations Agreement with Riviera Little League (C2025-061), located at 23701 Ocean Avenue, to proceed with new construction of restroom facility while maintaining existing lease terms.
FUNDING
None required.
DISCUSSION
The City entered into a five-year lease agreement with Riviera Little League, effective January 2025 through December 31, 2029, for use of the property located at 23701 Ocean Avenue in Lago Seco Park. The annual lease rate is $1, in exchange for the League’s responsibility to maintain and upkeep the respective baseball fields and reimburse the City for a portion of the water utility costs.
Riviera Little League has requested the City’s consent to make alterations to the leased property, which include the construction of a new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible restroom facility. The restroom facility will be accessible only during periods when the League’s fields are in use. Riviera Little League will be responsible for obtaining all required permits, as well as all costs associated with the design, permitting, construction and ongoing maintenance of the restroom facility.
Pursuant to the lease, paragraph 8, “Lessee may not alter any improvements whatsoever on the PROPERTY including, but not limited to, the two (2) baseball fields, without first having secured approval of the plans from the Community Services Director and the City. Improvements existing on the PROPERTY at the commencement of this Lease are deemed approved.” 1 City Council
October 6, 2026
Approval of the proposed Consent to Alterations Agreement will allow Riviera Little League to proceed with the construction of the new ADA accessible restroom facility, subject to obtaining all required permits and regulatory approvals.
Therefore, staff recommend that City Council adopts the CEQA Categorical Exemption pursuant to guideline section 15303 and approve the consent to alterations agreement with Riviera Little League to proceed with the new construction of the restroom facility.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
The proposed project consists of alterations to the existing Riviera Little League field facility located within Lago Seco Park, 23701 Ocean Avenue. Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, staff have determined that the project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption under Section 15303 (New Construction).
Section 15303 of the CEQA Guidelines exempts projects involving the construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures; and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure.
The proposed alterations, consisting of construction of new ADA accessible restroom facility, introduce a small new facility within the existing developed field area which will support the existing recreational use of the site. The alterations do not propose a change in the existing use of the property.
ATTACHMENT
1. Consent to Alterations Agreement
2 CONSENT TO ALTERATIONS AGREEMENT TO C2025-061
This CONSENT TO ALTERATION AGREEMENT made and entered into on October 6, 2026, by and between the CITY OF TORRANCE, a municipal corporation, as Lessor, hereinafter referred to as "City," and RIVIERA LITTLE LEAGUE, a non-profit organization, as Lessee, hereinafter referred to as "Lessee."
RECITALS
1. On January 1, 2025, the City and Lessee entered into a Lease Agreement.
2. Paragraph 8 of the Lease Agreement is entitled “Approval of Plans”.
3. Paragraph 8 provides that "Lessee may not alter any improvements whatsoever on the PROPERTY including, but not limited to, the two (2) baseball fields, without first having secured approval of the plans from the Community Services Director and the City”.
4. Lessee has requested to make alterations to the existing leasehold that includes the construction of a new restroom facility.
CONSENT AGREEMENT
1. The City, by and through City Council, in its capacity as lessor, grants its consent to the proposed alterations of a new restroom facility as provided in Paragraph 8 of the lease agreement, subject to the provisions below.
2. Lessee will pay for all costs associated with the alterations, including but not limited to the following: architectural costs, engineering costs, construction costs, permit fees, and any other cost or expense related to the proposed alterations.
3. Before starting any approved work, Lessee must submit detailed plans and specifications prepared by a licensed architect along with copies of all City permits.
4. All work must be performed in a good and workmanlike manner, using new materials of good quality, and in full compliance with all applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, and building codes.
5. All alterations and permanent improvements attached to the property shall become property of the City at the expiration or termination of the Lease.
6. This consent to alteration granted by City in its capacity as lessor is not and shall not be construed, deemed or implied to be: (1) an approval, variance, waiver, entitlement, or permit from any department, commission, or the City Council of the City under any applicable building code, zoning code, or land use regulation; or (2) a waiver, modification, or limitation of the City’s police powers, regulatory authority, or governmental jurisdiction.
7. Lessee is solely responsible for applying for, obtaining, and maintaining all required municipal, county, state, and federal permits, approvals, and entitlements at its sole cost and expense. 3 ATTACHMENT 1
The City’s review and approval of any plans and alterations under this Lease are completely separate from the City’s regulatory review processes as a government entity.
8. The City and Lessee agree that this CONSENT TO ALTERATION does not modify the lease agreement (C2025-061) and that the Lease remains in full force and effect. “LESSOR”
CITY OF TORRANCE, ATTEST:
a municipal corporation
_____________________________ ___________________
Sharon Kalani Rebecca Poirier, MMC
Mayor City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
PATRICK Q. SULLIVAN
City Attorney
__________________________
Patrick Q. Sullivan
City Attorney
“LESSEE”
RIVIERA LITTLE LEAGUE,
a non-profit organization
___________________________
President, Riviera Little League
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