Redondo, Torrance Settle Lawsuit

Redondo Beach and Torrance tentatively settled a lawsuit over the latter city's approval of a minor modification permit that would allow Del Amo Fashion Center to build a new Nordstrom store, according to the Daily Breeze.

Nordstrom's current lease at the South Bay Galleria expires in 2015. Once it expires, the store plans to move to the new location in Torrance.

The agreement requires Simon Property Group, which owns Del Amo, to give Redondo Beach "additional notice within the next five years of any additional development at the mall, which would  allow us to provide input on any planned activities, which we think is missing from this minor modification permit they did without any public notice," Redondo Beach City Attorney Mike Webb told reporter Nick Green.

The lawsuit was filed in early December. Torrance approved the minor modification permit—which allows the mall to build a new, two-story retail store and a new multistory parking garage—on Oct. 31.

The move was made without any public hearings.

“Adding a two-story, major anchor store is not a minor change,” Redondo Beach Councilman Pat Aust said shortly after the lawsuit was filed.

In response to Redondo's lawsuit, Torrance accused the Redondo Beach City Council of violating the Brown Act.

The settlement—in which no money is involved—also resolves that issue.

• Full story: Redondo Beach, Torrance End Lawsuit Over Nordstrom Move to Del Amo Fashion Center [Daily Breeze]