Torrance Mayoral and District 5 Candidates Debate Sleepy Hollow Lights, ADUs

Candidates discuss controversial holiday display and state housing laws impacting local neighborhoods

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:56pm

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A vibrant, abstract painting of a glowing holiday lights display, with overlapping geometric shapes and waves of bright, neon-like colors, conceptually representing the energy and motion of the Sleepy Hollow neighborhood tradition.The annual Sleepy Hollow holiday lights display has become a source of both community pride and controversy in Torrance, as candidates debate how to balance tradition, public safety, and property rights.Torrance Today

Candidates for mayor and City Council District 5 in Torrance, California spoke about issues impacting the Hollywood Riviera and Seaside Ranchos neighborhoods, including the annual Sleepy Hollow holiday lights display and the impact of state accessory dwelling unit (ADU) laws on the city's Hillside Overlay Ordinance.

Why it matters

The Sleepy Hollow lights display has been a longstanding tradition in Torrance, but in recent years has become a source of controversy due to crowds, vendors, and public safety concerns. Meanwhile, new state housing laws have overridden the city's Hillside Overlay Ordinance, which was designed to protect views and property values, causing frustration among residents. The mayoral and council candidates' positions on these issues will impact the future of these neighborhood concerns.

The details

Candidates discussed their stances on regulating the Sleepy Hollow lights display, with some supporting allowing more resident vendors while others wanted to maintain consistent city rules. On the Hillside Overlay Ordinance, most candidates said they would work to strengthen the ordinance to better protect homeowner views, though they acknowledged the challenges posed by state ADU laws. The candidates emphasized the need to balance community traditions, public safety, and property rights.

  • The Seaside Neighborhood Association and Riviera HOA hosted a candidates forum on Monday, April 6, 2026.
  • The Torrance City Council is scheduled to discuss the Hillside Overlay Ordinance on May 19, 2026.

The players

George Chen

The incumbent Torrance mayor who said the city needs to be consistent with its rules around vendors during the Sleepy Hollow lights display.

Sharon Kalani

A current Torrance City Councilmember running for mayor who said she would look at allowing cottage food vendors to sell outside their homes during the Sleepy Hollow lights display.

Betty Lieu

The Torrance Unified school board president running for the District 5 council seat who lives in the Hillside Overlay area and said she would support rewriting the ordinance to remove the exception for ADUs.

Michelle Brooks

A government relations specialist running for the District 5 council seat who said further discussion is needed on the Sleepy Hollow lights vendor issue.

Harry Ward

A local doctor and veteran running for the District 5 council seat who proposed a city approval process for Sleepy Hollow lights vendors and said homeowners need to be involved in rewriting the Hillside Overlay Ordinance.

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What they’re saying

“This should allow them to serve the people that are visiting and retain the tradition.”

— Sharon Kalani, Mayoral Candidate

“I think the most important thing we want is the residents and the visitors in that area, during the holiday season, to have a very pleasant and safe experience.”

— George Chen, Mayoral Candidate

“I think we're going to have to work much more closely together. Those of you out there in the audience are going to have to help us in the City Council to write and pressure the state legislators. We're not going to waste all of our HOA money necessarily in lawsuits that we're going to lose.”

— Harry Ward, District 5 Candidate

What’s next

The Torrance City Council is scheduled to discuss the Hillside Overlay Ordinance and potential changes on May 19, 2026.

The takeaway

The Torrance mayoral and District 5 council candidates are grappling with the balance between preserving neighborhood traditions, public safety, and property rights in the face of state housing laws that have overridden local zoning. Their positions on issues like the Sleepy Hollow lights display and the Hillside Overlay Ordinance will shape how these community concerns are addressed.