Border Area to Vote on Whether to Join Gardena

After two years of debate, residents in a tiny unincorporated area bordering Gardena will have the chance Tuesday to decide whether they want to become a part of the city or remain part of unincorporated Los Angeles County.

Voters in the area will decide the fate of Proposition F, which would annex 164 acres of land bordered by Crenshaw and Manhattan Beach boulevards, and Van Ness and Marine avenues. The area has 1,126 registered voters.

If the annexation is approved by a simple majority, about 860 homes in the area, known as El Camino Village, will become part of Gardena.

For years, the issue has caused waves in the area. Some residents like the benefits and freedom of county operations, but others want the hometown feel of a small city.

“We’ve always felt like a part of Gardena because of its activities,” said 37-year resident Paul Stone. “It has the small-town feeling rather than the megalopolis like L.A.”

The county currently provides police and fire protection, building inspection, park maintenance and recreation services. If the annexation is approved, Gardena would provide those services.

A change would also have a fiscal impact on residents, including changes in utility taxes and solid waste collection.

Stone said that, because of the area’s proximity, response times by the Gardena Police and Fire departments would be faster than the services provided by the county. The Lennox sheriff’s station is farther from El Camino Village than are Gardena’s departments.

But Ursula White, an annexation opponent and 27-year resident of the area, said she is satisfied with the county’s services. Because residents have worked together to take care of the community, El Camino Village has received excellent service from the county, she said.

Even if the area and its residents become part of Gardena, City Manager Kenneth W. Landau said Gardena does not plan to increase its police or fire forces. He said city officials are confident they will be able to provide necessary services with existing personnel.

Gardena has 100 sworn police officers, 20 cadets, 10 police assistants and four police aides. It has 49 uniformed fire personnel, two fire stations and two paramedic ambulances. In 1990, Gardena’s population was 49,847, according to the U.S. Census. The city covers 5.7 square miles.

Also of concern are the fiscal effects of the move. If the annexation is approved, residents’ utility taxes will drop from 5% to 4%. Property taxes will not be affected.

But the cost of solid waste removal will climb because Gardena contracts with Western Waste, which provides service once a week. Currently, residents have two options for haulers, both of which cost less than the $35.70 per quarter imposed by the city.

If the annexation does not pass, supporters of the measure may again propose annexation in a year. If fewer than 25% of registered voters would then sign a petition to protest the proposal, the area could be automatically annexed. If 25% to 49% of registered voters would sign a petition of protest, another election would be held. But if at least 50% of registered voters would protest the proposal, the issue would be stopped.