Council OKs Report on Store

The Torrance City Council unanimously approved an environmental report that says neighbors would suffer no adverse impact from a new 33,000-square-foot sporting goods store on 238th Street and Los Codona Avenue.

The council approved the “negative declaration” Tuesday night but also asked the developer of the property to pay for a traffic report that would study the neighborhood traffic problem and such mitigating measures as closing 238th Street at Hawthorne Boulevard.

Residents of the Southwood Riviera neighborhood have said they fear the proposed Sport Chalet outlet would worsen neighborhood traffic problems.

Gail Bedinger, a resident on 232nd Street, said the neighborhood is already plagued by speeding motorists who drive through the area to avoid the traffic on nearby Hawthorne Boulevard.

The two-story building, which would have some underground parking, would be built on a 53,500-square-foot lot bordered by commercial property on the north, Hawthorne Boulevard on the east and residential property on the west and south.

The project still needs the approval of the Planning Commission, whose decision can be appealed to the City Council.