Old Torrance Neighborhood Association

Community Issues and Forums

Coronavirus / COVID-19 Information

This is the first world-wide pandemic we've seen in our lifetime, and we're in it together - in sickness and health. Since social distancing, self-quarantine and best health practices are in place (as they always should be), if you have to make a run to the store, why not ask a neighbor/friend/relative who may not (or should not) be able to get out so easily, if you can pick-up something for them, providing that something is still on the shelf.

On the City of Torrance Status event list you will find a list of pertinent information regarding closures, postponements, sites to stay informed, and more:

Updated Event Status List

To view an updated event status list, please visit the event status page.

Torrance Alerts - Stay Informed & Register TODAY

See the TorranceAlerts web page, where you can register for real-time information, alerts, and updates regarding emergency preparedness, incidents, traffic impacts, important safety information, and more.

When there is an emergency, you'll get the information first with TorranceAlerts - the City of Torrance's mass emergency notification system. TorranceAlerts is a free service provided by the City to help make sure you have the information you need, when you need it!

Registering for the system should be part of your personal emergency preparedness plan. Information sent through TorranceAlerts system is intended to help keep you updated should the City or region experience a significant event such as an earthquake, fire, public health emergency or similar situation.

You may register as many devices as you like to receive TorranceAlerts -- home, mobile, or business phone, email, text messages, hearing impaired receiving devices, and more. Many non-emergency community updates are provided via email only -- to ensure that you receive emergency alerts, as well as all of the community updates you select, register at least one phone number and one email address.

Individuals with disabilities who need assistance registering for TorranceAlerts may call the Office of Emergency Services at 310.618.5670 during regular business hours: Monday - Thursday and alternate Fridays, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Sign up and customize your settings to choose what kind of information you want and the method by which you want to receive messages. You can also download the Everbridge Mobile Member app on your smart phone to stay updated.

Alerts regarding COVID-19 will be sent daily to provide updates. www.CityofTorranceCA.com

Learn More about the Virus

Click here to learn more about the virus, who is considered high-risk, and how you can protect yourself.

Also, since the greatest danger with COVID-19 is that we overwhelm our healthcare resources, the Torrance Fire & EMS said that if you are experiencing mild sympstoins (cough or fever), self-isolate at home rather than going to your hospital, clinic, or doctor's office. Contact your healtcare provider or 2-1-1 by phone if you have any qestions about home care or testing.

Schools Closed

On Friday, March 13th (couldn’t have picked a better date – straight out of a movie), the Superintendent of the Los Angeles County Department of Education directed ALL LA County schools close for students effective Monday, March 16, 2020 until March 27, 2020. They will reassess within this time.

All staff will report to their work locations on Monday, March 16 to further discuss this temporary closure. There are still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in TUSD, but they are going to follow this direction.

In an effort to prepare for school closures, teachers, and staff have been working in collaboration with District office personnel to establish methods for continuing instruction and learning during this temporary closure.

Schools are going to utilize the following methods to provide continuity of instruction to students:

ETUSD
Clever
Google Classroom
Digital textbooks
Email

Parents will receive further communication from their child’s school site regarding specific details for continuity of instruction. It is our goal to provide opportunity for students to access curriculum and practice skills during the closure.

We all know that the situation with COVID-19 has been rapidly changing and new guidance and directions are evolving daily. The schools have a regularly scheduled professional development day scheduled on Monday, March 16th, and will utilize that day to develop a plan with further details for delivery of instruction during the closure.

Nutrition Services: Free Breakfast and Lunch for Students

Yesterday, the school district sent this message out:

We realize that our schools provide families with many essential resources, including meal service. Beginning on Tuesday March 17 and until our schools are open again, all students are welcome to visit the schools listed below for FREE breakfast and lunch each day. These meals will be available for pick-up between the hours of 8 am and 1 pm at the following school cafeterias:

Torrance Elementary School 2125 Lincoln Av Torrance
Carr Elementary School 3404 W 168th Av Torrance
Edison Elementary School 3800 W 182nd Av Torrance
J. H. Hull Middle School 2080 W 231st St Torrance
Magruder Middle School 4100 W 185th St Torrance
Shery High School (Breakfast only) 2600 Vine St Torrance

ANYONE under the age of 18 can pick-up two meals (2 breakfasts or breakfast/lunch). Students must be present to receive these meals. Parents will not be able to pick up meals for their students.

Because our campuses are closed, these meals are “grab and go” as there will not be available seating on campuses for students. Meal service will be available at these locations on school days until March 27, unless

Resources For Homelessness, At-Risk, or Other Social Services

Homeless Services Read through Torrance's plan to prevent and combat homelessness. Discover ways you can help.

Please feel free to share the following resources with those experiencing homelessness, may be at-risk, or are in need of other social services:

Adults and Youth/ CES Contact

Harbor Interfaith Services*
599 W. 9th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731
(424) 276-3602
(Hours: M-F 8 AM-12:30 PM, 1:30 PM-5 PM)

If you notice someone who you think is experiencing homelessness and needs assistance, please call Harbor Interfaith Services, and they will send the appropriate team to connect with the individual and provide housing, health services, etc.

Families

*can also contact Harbor Interfaith Services
Family Promise of the South Bay
2930 El Dorado Street, Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 782-8196

Veterans

*can also contact Harbor Interfaith Services
MHA Operation Healthy Homecoming
1891 North Gaffey Street #311, San Pedro, CA 90731
(424) 570-0241
(Hours: M-F 8 AM- 5 PM)

Victims of Domestic Violence, Runaway and Homeless Youth, Homeless Families Homeless and At-Risk Veterans, Low-Income or Unemployed Residents in Need, Others in Need

*can also contact Harbor Interfaith Services
1736 Family Crisis Center
Torrance Community Service Center
21707 Hawthorne Boulevard, Suite 300 Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 543-9900

If you think someone is a danger to themselves or to others, please don't hesitate to call the Torrance Police Department main line: (310) 328-3456

Senior Citizen Taxi Coupons and Dial-A-Taxi for Disabled

The Torrance Community Transit Program (TCTP) is a for residents of the City of Torrance. TCTP includes both the Senior and Dial-a-Taxi Swipe Card programs. TCTP enables participants to purchase credits for taxi rides at a discounted personal cost. This program is available to Torrance residents only.

Home Improvement Program (HIP) for Torrance Residents

The Home Improvement Program (HIP) is a free program in which Disabled Individuals and Senior Citizens can have a variety of home improvement services completed provided they meet certain criteria and are Torrance residents. Services provided through HIP include: Disability upgrades for the home, light plumbing, yard services, paint and minor repairs.

See the City of Torrance website for program details.

Phone: (310) 618-2731 (Voicemail is checked daily, Monday-Friday)
E-Mail: HIP@TorranceCA.Gov

City eNewsletters

The City of Torrance offers a variety of eNewsletters, available here.

E-mail eNewsletter@TorranceCA.Gov if you have any questions, comments or concerns.

Torrance Police Department Partners in Policing

Torrance Police Department - Partners in Policing Programs
Learn about our Police Department "hands-on"! For adults and teens.

Child Car Seat Safety Checks by Torrance Fire Department

The Torrance Fire Department is pleased to announce that we have started a child car seat safety program. This service is being provided by Torrance firefighters that are nationally certified through the National Child Passenger Safety program. If you are a Torrance resident and would like to sign up for one of our workshops, please read and follow the instructions below.

There will be scheduled car seat safety checks that will take approximately 30-60 minutes each. As a courtesy, please do not show up to one of the fire stations requesting a seat check.
We will be holding monthly workshops to assist our residents with proper car seat installations.
For additional information on child car seat safety please view the following link: Car Seat Safety

Appointments are required for the Workshop. To schedule an appointment please:

Contact our Public Education Officer Chris Rhodes at 310-781-7646 or email carseatsafety@torranceca.gov

Additionally, car seat checks are still available through the CHP. The nearest location for Torrance residents is:

19700 Hamilton Ave.
Torrance, CA 90502
310-516-3355

Please call ahead to make an appointment for car seat installations.

The following link has important information about infant and child car seats from the California Highway Patrol.

https://www.chp.ca.gov/Programs-Services/Programs/Child-Safety-Seats

Zamperini Memorial Highway

ACR (Assembly Concurrent Resolution) 157 Introduced by Assembly Member David Hadley (Coauthors: Assembly Member Members Chavez and Gipson) (Coauthor: Senator Allen) passed Thursday, August 12, 2016.

This measure designates Interstate 405 between the Redondo Beach and Western off ramps in both directions in the County of Los Angeles as the Louis Zamperini Memorial Highway. The measure requires the cost of appropriate signs showing this special designation and, upon receiving donations from nonstate sources covering the cost, to erect those signs. THe Department of Transportation determined that $2500 per sign needs to be raised and that will be two signs.

A link to the Daily Breeze story is here.

The Business Insider Magazine Survey Ranks Torrance
in Top 25 in Quality of Life

The article is available here.

WATER CONSERVATION ORDINANCE AND INFORMATION

On May 5, 2015, City Council approved activation of Level 2 water requirements due to the severity of the drought and to meet the new state regulations.

The Conservation Ordinance applies to the entire City regardless of retail water supplier.

Level 2-Water Use Requirements and Regulations

Calls for up to 30 percent water use reduction
No outside watering from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Outdoor watering limited to two days a week for 10 minutes per area or irrigation station
Fix all leaks within four days
No watering 48 hours after rain event
Certain restrictions on filling and refilling of pools, spas and ponds
Provides for administrative rules to implement the ordinance

Permanent Requirements In Effect at all Times

No excessive runoff from outdoor watering
No washing of exterior surfaces
No washing of vehicles with "open hose"
All water features must have a re-circulating system
Restaurants to use water conserving spray valves
Restaurants to serve water only upon request
Lodging business must provide option not to launder linens daily

Remember the 2-6-8-10 Plan

2 Days a week

6 PM - 8 AM Watering Times

10 Minutes/area (watering station)

Water is a limited and valuable resource. Use it wisely and conserve for tomorrow.

Public Workshop on Potential Historic Preservation Programs

Adoption of any Historic Preservation program could affect your property values and you are encouraged to participate in this process.

All persons interested in the above matters are requested to be present at the workshop or to submit their written comments prior to the workshop to the Community Development Department, 3031 Torrance Boulevard, CA 90503 or email: CDDinfo@TorranceCA.gov .

NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DESIGN COMMITTEE MEETING

The City of Torrance will be holding a City Council Meeting to discuss the potential creation of a Historic Preservation Program. Adoption of any Historic Preservation program could affect your property values and you are encouraged to participate in this process.

For further information, contact the PLANNING DIVISION of the Community Development Department at (310) 618-5990.

Torrance Tract
TorranceTractMap

Kevin Joe, AICP
Planning Associate
City of Torrance Community Development Department
3031 Torrance Boulevard | Torrance CA 90503 | 310-618-5994 | Fax 310-618-5829 | kjoe@TorranceCA.gov
www.TorranceCA.gov

City of Torrance Historic Preservation Website

Please see the City of Torrance Community Development Department Historic Preservation website for Historic Preservation workshops and meeting announcements and materials.

Click here for the City of Torrance's Historic Preservation website.

For more information and a list of properties on the Historic Resources Survey, please visit the City's Historic Preservation pages.

Contact Community Development Department for additional questions at (310) 618-5990 or via email CDDinfo@TorranceCA.gov or postal mail to 3031 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503.

For more information and examples please see how the Los Angeles Conservancy is preserving and revitalizing Greater Los Angeles' architectural heritage.

Information regarding the Mills Act - from Office of Historic Preservation.

Federal and State Designation Programs (from the Office of Historic Resources) Information regarding HPOZ Overlay Zones, incentives and more.

Sandbags for Torrance Residents

Street Maintenance provides free sandbags to residents in Torrance residing in single-family homes and duplexes only. During storms, Street Maintenance orders and fills sandbags for Torrance residents. Each resident can pick up a maximum of 25 filled sandbags at no cost at the City Yard, depending on availability.

Please call the City of Torrance Public Works Department at 310-781-6900 before coming to the City Yard to make sure a crew is available to help load the sandbags into a truck or car. Also, be sure to bring some form of ID (Driver's License) to show residency within the City of Torrance.

During after-hours storm emergencies, Torrance residents may call the Torrance Fire Department at 310-781-7042 for information on sandbag availability.

Transportation Projects and Issues

Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition

The regional Bicycle Master Plan will seek to improve policy and infrastructure across seven cities in the South Bay: El Segundo, Gardena, Hermosa Beach, Lawndale, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Torrance. The South Bay Bicycle Master Plan seeks to reduce the prevalence of obesity and improve community health through the increased bicycle ridership of the area's residents.

Torrance Transit

Torrance Transit offers Tap Cards, a debit card that can be used on Torrance Transit and 24 other transit agencies in LA County, U-Pass Program which provides reduced-fare pass to students of local colleges and universities for unlimited rides on Torrance buses and the Life Program Torrance Transit is a proud participant of Metro's LIFE (Low-Income Fare is Easy) program. The program used to be called Rider Relief Program now offers further subsidies to our riders who qualify for this program. Qualifying riders can save fare cost on Metro's 7-Days and 30-Days pass. Look under the Fare tab for information.

In addition it offers Senior (Torrance Residents 65 and older) and Dial-A-Taxi for Torrance residents that are either permamently or temporarily disabled programs.

Voting and Election information

In conjunction with the June 3, 2014 election, TorranceVotes.Org was created to empower the voter and to provide each person the ability to frame their own questions based on their own values. We hope to challenge you, the voter, to make a more informed decision based on your observations and values. If you have relied on others in the past we invite you to step inside to learn more.

For information regarding local elections, see the City of Torrance Elections Page.

Smart Voter.Org

League of Women Voters

League of Women Voters, Torrance Chapter

Reminder - Fireworks Are Illegal in Torrance

Who to Call at the Torrance Police Department

Cautionary Bulletin When Calling 911

Catalytic Converter Thefts in Torrance

Report Graffiti!

Graffiti Removal Hotline: (310) 781-7149

To report sightings of graffiti on properties in the City of Torrance, please call the Graffiti Hotline listed below and leave a detailed message. Messages are retrieved hourly during normal working hours.

General Services would like to announce the availability of a FREE smart phone app for reporting graffiti in Torrance. The free app, named "Torrance Graffiti" is available for the iPhone on the iTunes App Store and on Android devices through the Google Play App Store.

Help Torrance Go Green

See our Torrance Green Initiatives page for details.

Disaster Preparedness

Emergency Services, in coordination, conjunction and collaboration with all City departments will maximize the City's potential to prevent against, prepare for, respond to and recover from both natural and man-made emergencies and disasters. For more information see the City Disaster Preparedness web pages.

Hotline: 310.618.2320

Neighborhood Watch

Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program enlisting the active participation of citizens, in cooperation with law enforcement, to reduce crime in our communities.

Neighborhoods are divided by blocks; a captain is elected by a neighborhood group to represent his/her block. An initial meeting is scheduled with a Torrance Police Department representative where participants learn how to report and identify suspicious activities and individuals while implementing crime prevention techniques. Subsequent meetings follow.

This program teaches citizens how to work together in creating the strongest crime prevention technique -- neighbors looking out for each other. Call (310) 618-6392 to join your Neighborhood Watch or request more information online. The form also may be downloaded and sent in by mail.

You may download the brochure: Guide to a Safe Community.

Additional information Neighborhood Watch information is available from the National Crime Prevention Council.

Vacation Security Checks

The Torrance Police Department provides a Vacation Security Check service. To advise the Torrance Police Department that you are on vacation and to have them do checks while you're away, please fill out the form on their website with the link above.

Please be advised that the Police Department and the City do not assume any liability for loss or damage to property during specified dates. Homeowner understands there is no guarantee that vacation checks will be done daily.

The City of Torrance is Rated One of the Safest Cities in the United States

TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 21, 2009 - According to the most recent survey for 2008, the City of Torrance is the 4th safest city in Los Angeles County and the 23rd safest city in the United States with populations over 100,000. As they have done since 1999, CQ Press has completed their annual report of the safest cities and metropolitan areas in the United States. These rankings are calculated by using six basic crime categories: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and motor vehicle theft. The rankings include all cities of at least 75,000 residents that reported crime data to the FBI in the categories noted. In addition, it reports that the crime rate for Torrance is well below the national average. In this study of 378 cities, the national average was weighted at 100. The City of Torrance came in at 43.98, or 56 points below the national average. Please click here for more information.

Oversize Vehicle Ordinance

The City of Torrance has an oversized vehicle ordinance that went into effect at the beginning of 2007. See the link for details on securing permits. For more information see the City's web page on this topic.

Green Building / Remodeling Guidlines

The City of Torrance has published green building & remodeling guidelines (PDF) to aid in building and remodeling in a more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient manner.

Architectural Design Guidelines Are Available

The Architectural Design Guidelines are available for purchase. See the City of Torrance website for more information on the architectural guidelines.

On July, 26, 2005, the City Council "made history" by unanimously voting to recognize the original boundaries of Torrance as "Old Torrance - Founded 1912." The signage is now up. As the City nears its 100th anniversary, this type of recognition is all the more important.

At that same time, the City Council also directed the Torrance Historical Society to team together with the Community Development Dept. to create a set of voluntary Architectural Design Guidelines that could be referenced for those property owners who live in Old Torrance and are interested in the restoration, renovation and/or preservation of their homes.

The predominant architectural styles of the early to mid 20th century that can be found in Old Torrance are represented in these Guidelines. In fact, all the photos used in this booklet were taken of homes within the Old Torrance neighborhood.

The booklet is easy-to-read, has many examples emphasizing the primary components and architectural features of a "historic" home, has a quick-reference glossary of architectural terms, and . . . it lists a wealth of resources that are available through the Torrance Public Library and/or the Community Development Dept.

The goal of the Architectural Design Guidelines is to help homeowners in Old Torrance who want to update their home, yet maintain the same charm and architectural characteristics that make this neighborhood work!

The Architectural Design Guidelines are one resource that will aid in fostering the growth of this community's preservation efforts.

The City of Torrance's Historic Preservation website: https://www.torranceca.gov/our-city/community-development/historical

Community Development Department
3031 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 618-5990

The cost is $5 per booklet. You can pay via cash or check made payable to "City of Torrance".