Plan to Annex Land May Be Put on Ballot

Protesters could force a public vote on Gardena’s plans to annex an adjacent neighborhood of 850 homes on unincorporated county land.

During a heated public hearing Tuesday night, the City Council heard testimony for and against the proposal, which would affect 164.5 acres near El Camino College. More than 100 people attended.

A group of county residents first approached the city with the proposal in March, 1993. They argued that by joining Gardena, they would have access to improved services, such as faster response from police and fire departments.

But residents who opposed the annexation gathered 462 signatures on a petition to stop it. The petition was presented to council Tuesday.

Proponents have questioned the validity of the petition, saying signers were misled. And a postcard campaign alerted residents that they could withdraw their names.

City Clerk May Y. Doi will count and verify any withdrawals and the remaining signatures on the petition. The results will be announced at the council’s Oct. 11 meeting.

If at least 50% of registered county residents in the area are found to have signed the petition, the proposal is killed. If fewer than 25% have signed, the annexation will go ahead as planned.

But if between 25% and 50% of the county residents have signed the petition, a vote will be held.