Article 39 — R-TH RESIDENTIAL TOWNHOUSE DISTRICT

The purpose of the Residential Townhouse District is to establish a method whereby land may be designed and developed as a unit for single family residential use by taking advantage of modern site planning techniques in order to produce an environment of stable, desirable character which will be in harmony with existing or potential development of the surrounding neighborhood.

(Amended by O-3453)

The following uses are permissible in a Residential Townhouse District:

a) Any use permitted in the R-1 district;

b) Home occupation in a residential unit;

• c) Small family day care home;

• d) Large family day care home subject to approval of a large family day care permit;

e) Use as Townhouse Planned Developments as defined in Article 2 of this Chapter subject to the issuance of a conditional use permit, together with private parks, recreational areas, recreation buildings and structures, clubs and social halls, playfields, playgrounds, and swimming pools in connection with said developments; provided, that the above or similar uses shall not be operated for business or commercial purposes.

The application for the Conditional Use Permit required for a Townhouse Planned Development shall include:

a) A tentative subdivision map;

b) Existing topography of the development area shall be shown with contours of not more than one (1) foot intervals, except on steep hillside property, where the contour interval may be greater if approved by the City Engineer;

c) The gross land area of the development, the present zoning of the property and the location of all existing easements, structures, and improvements on the property;

d) A general development plan with at least the following details:

1. Location and use proposed for each existing and proposed structure in the development area, the number of stories, gross building areas, and approximate location of entrances;

• 2. All existing and proposed driveway approaches, driving lanes, parking areas, loading and service areas;
• 3. All pedestrian walks and open areas for the use of the occupants of the proposed development and/or the public;
• 4. Types of surfacing for all proposed walks and driveways;
• 5. A detailed plan for the landscaping of the development, including location and height of all proposed walls, fences, and screen planting, and a statement setting forth the method by which such landscaping and fencing shall be preserved and maintained;
• 6. A grading plan for the entire development;
• 7. All existing and proposed physical features such as hydrants, utility facilities, floodlights, drainage facilities, and recreation facilities and a statement setting forth the method by which these features shall be preserved and maintained;
• 8. All existing and proposed easements;
• 9. Elevations or architectural renderings of the project to indicate architectural type and the materials of construction.

A Townhouse Planned Development shall have sufficient land area to meet the objectives of the R-TH District, as set forth in Section 91.39.1. Sufficient size shall be established by conditional use permit based on the following criteria:

a) The size and shape of the site shall be adequate for the provision of a workable and desirable site plan.

b) The homeowner’s association shall be of sufficient size to operate functionally and shall be able to meet the cost of maintaining common grounds and facilities without imposing undue financial strain on individual members.

The maximum number of dwelling units in a Townhouse Planned Development shall not exceed twelve (12) residential units per net acre of land in developments of less than five (5) acres and fifteen (15) units per net acre of land in developments of five (5) acres or more.

A minimum of one thousand (1,000) square feet of usable open space shall be required for each dwelling unit, and shall be provided as personal open space for the private use of the occupants of each dwelling unit, and as common open space for the use of all occupants. Yards and open space shall be dimensioned on the required plans and shall be established by conditional use permit for each development. A common open space may include, but is not limited to the following:

Areas devoted to sports and games

Barbecue and picnic area

Card and game rooms

Golf course

Hobby areas

Putting greens

Reading rooms and libraries

Recreational halls

Swimming pools

Utility areas

The maximum building height shall be thirty-five (35) feet. However, the Planning Commission may limit the number of stories in any or all buildings in a Townhouse Planned Development when it finds that due to the unique characteristics of a Townhouse Planned Development, reasonable standards of light and air cannot be met.

No building shall be less than fifteen (15) feet from any other building or structure, unless attached by a solid roof, and no multi-level building shall be less than twenty (20) feet from any other building or structure unless attached by a solid roof.

The following minimum square footage (center-to-center wall) shall be applied to all units:

The developer of a Townhouse Planned Development shall be required to dedicate land required for public purposes in the same manner as a subdivider under Chapter 2 of Division 9 of this Code.

Off-street parking shall be provided pursuant to Section 93.2.1. of this Code. In addition, there shall be provided not less than one-half (1/2) parking space for each dwelling unit, distributed throughout the project so as to be accessible for guest use. Said parking may be along private streets within the project, or off-street and may be open or covered.

a) Any conditions, covenants and restrictions on any Townhouse Planned Development shall be subject to the approval of the Planning Commission and the City Council of the City of Torrance, and shall be written so as to be enforceable by said City.

b) No building, structure, fence or wall shall be constructed upon any of the open spaces, common areas, walkways, driveways or open parking areas, shown upon the development plan as approved by the City Council unless approval for such construction has been specifically obtained from the Planning Commission and the City Council.

c) A homeowner’s association, providing for the automatic and compulsory membership of every homeowner within a Townhouse Planned Development shall be in effect before the final approval of said project and shall be given the authority and responsibility for insuring the development and maintenance of common grounds and facilities. Upon failure to maintain common grounds and facilities, the City shall have the authority to provide maintenance and to collect payment from homeowner’s association for such services.

Any conditional use permit granted pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall contain a condition providing for the revocation of said conditional use permit if:

a) Open areas and recreational areas are not preserved and maintained;

• b) Automobile storage and adequate access thereto is not preserved and maintained; or

c) There is any violation of the conditions under which the conditional use permit has been issued.

No Townhouse Planned Development as defined in Article 2 of this Chapter shall be permitted in any land use zone or district in the City of Torrance except as provided in this Article 39.