Torrance Asks for Developers to Cut Planned Complex’s Size

The Torrance City Council voted 4 to 3 to ask the developers of a proposed shopping center and industrial park to scale down their plans for the Crenshaw Boulevard project.

“I’d like to see the project approved eventually, but I think it needs some modifications,” said Councilman Mark Wirth, who voted with the majority Tuesday night.

One of the project developers said Wednesday that the plans will be altered and submitted to the council again April 2.

“We’re going to try to work with the city,” said Norman La Caze, owner of La Caze Development Co. of Torrance. “We will do some revision.”

The plans reviewed by the council Tuesday called for a 360,500-square-foot shopping center called Torrance Crossroads and a 283,500-square-foot light industrial park on the west side of Crenshaw Boulevard between Lomita Boulevard and Skypark Drive. By comparison, Rolling Hills Plaza, just south of the proposed development, contains 403,000 square feet in retail stores, offices and theaters.

Torrance Crossroads would be Mediterranean in style, with single-story buildings, textured stucco and tile roofs.

One major tenant would be a 140,000-square-foot Home Depot, a home improvement store. It would be the second Home Depot store in the South Bay area, said Jim Lloyd, regional director of real estate for the Home Depot Inc. of Atlanta.

Two council members asked whether the Home Depot would attract day laborers hoping to be hired by contractors shopping at the store. Lloyd assured them that the store would discourage such gatherings.

The city Planning Commission voted 6 to 1 on Feb. 6 to turn down the project, criticizing its size and potential traffic problems.

Some City Council members, however, argued for the project Tuesday.

“We have a project in front of us that’s very, very, very well designed,” said Councilman Dan Walker. “When you start looking at the roof, and you see absolutely the most expensive roof that can be put on a shopping center, that’s impressive.”

And Councilman William Applegate praised Home Depot as “an amazing store” that is needed in the Torrance retail market.

Others were more hesitant.

Councilwoman Dee Hardison said she would like to see a project with less square footage.

In the end, Hardison, Wirth, Mayor Katy Geissert and Councilman Timothy Mock voted to hold up the project so that it could be revised, while project proponents Walker, Applegate and George Nakano opposed the delay.