A new residential project could bring 35 townhouses to Crenshaw Boulevard near the eastern edge of Old Torrance.

The proposed development is planned for property at 1407–1455 Crenshaw Boulevard, near Torrance Boulevard. City records identify the site as containing a combination of residential, commercial and parking-related zoning designations.

Unlike a large apartment complex, the proposal is structured as an attached townhouse development. Projects of this type can add homes in established areas while placing several residences on land that may previously have contained lower-density or nonresidential uses.

Torrance has published a series of technical documents prepared for the project’s environmental review. Those materials examine subjects including:

• Traffic generation
• Noise
• Air quality and greenhouse-gas emissions
• Energy use
• Hydrology and drainage
• Sewer capacity
• Low-impact stormwater design
•  

The existence of those studies does not by itself mean every project detail has received final approval. It shows that the city and applicant have been evaluating how the development could affect the property and surrounding area.

For nearby residents, traffic and neighborhood compatibility will likely be among the most closely watched issues. Crenshaw Boulevard is already a heavily traveled north-south corridor, while nearby residential streets have a more neighborhood-oriented character.

The project could also help expand the city’s relatively limited supply of newly built ownership housing. Torrance faces the same regional challenge seen throughout the South Bay: strong housing demand combined with a limited amount of vacant land available for development.

Because Torrance is largely built out, new housing frequently requires replacing, combining or redeveloping existing properties rather than building on untouched land.

Residents interested in the proposal should follow Planning Commission and City Council agendas for future hearings or decisions. The Planning Commission generally reviews land-use and development matters before making decisions or recommendations within its authority.

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