City May Demolish Muffler Shop
A long-running duel between the city of Torrance and a muffler shop owner could conclude April 15 with the city taking possession of the shop and tearing it down.
The aging, oil-spotted Aable Muffler Shop is on a wedge of land along Torrance Boulevard, immediately in front of the new $225-million headquarters of American Honda Motor Co.
The city has obtained an order from Los Angeles Superior Court allowing it to take possession of the land April 15 under eminent domain procedures, said City Atty. Kenneth L. Nelson.
The city says the muffler shop must be torn down so that Torrance Boulevard can be realigned between Western Avenue and Cabrillo Avenue. But the shop’s owner, Walter J. (Jake) Egan, a longtime critic of city government, says the city wants the shop removed because of its close proximity to Honda.
Egan said Friday that he has not exhausted his legal arsenal. He has uncovered a procedural mistake by the city that may help him, he said, declining to give further details. No date has been set for demolishing the muffler shop, City Engineer Richard Burt said. The road realignment is due to begin in July.
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