PC RES 2010-028 P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2010-28
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING REVISION "A-
1" (PLANNING CASE NO. ZON2010-00275) TO CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT NO. 200 REVISION `A', GRADING PERMIT,
COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT (PLANNING CASE NO.
ZON2009-00441) BY AMENDING THE CONDITION OF
APPROVAL NO. 29 TO INCREASE THE PROJECT GRADING
QUANTITIES FROM 20,500 CUBIC YARDS TO 25,885 CUBIC
YARDS FOR THE PARKING LOT AND SITE IMPROVEMENTS
AT LOWER POINT VICENTE LOCATED AT 31501 PALOS
VERDES DRIVE WEST.
WHEREAS, on September 8, 1998, the Planning Commission adopted P.C.
Resolution No. 98-29 making certain environmental findings in connection with the
adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration and adopted P.C. Resolution No. 98-30,
conditionally approving Conditional Use Permit No. 200, Grading Permit No. 1993, and
Coastal Permit No. 143 to allow site improvements at Lower Point Vicente consisting of,
among other things, a 7,400 square foot addition to the PVIC building, 139 new parking
spaces (for a total of 207 parking spaces), reconfigured driveways, approximately
11,000 cubic yards of grading (cut and fill), new and expanded decomposed granite
trails, new landscaping and other outdoor park amenities. Due to budget limitations,
portions of the parking lot expansion and some site improvements were not constructed;
and,
WHEREAS, on September 2, 2008, the City Council adopted the Rancho Palos
Verdes Coast Vision Plan which is an informational planning document for the City's
coastal areas (including five key sites not included in the City's Palos Verdes Nature
Preserve), with public access, interpretive materials, recreational amenities, and other
amenities to improve the coastal open space experience for Palos Verdes residents and
visitors. One of the five key sites identified in the Vision Plan is Lower Point Vicente.
According to the goals identified in the Council adopted Vision Plan, improvements to
the Lower Point Vicente site should integrate, in terms of design and amenities, existing
and proposed facilities. These facilities include the PVIC building and its proposed
outdoor education components (Phase III, relating to cultural, social, physical and
natural history and environments), expanded parking, public parkland and trails, and
other potential, complementary educational public uses; and,
WHEREAS, Pursuant to the Council adopted Vision Plan, the City is now
proposing to complete the construction of the improvements at Lower Point Vicente
originally approved by the Planning Commission in 1998. These improvements consist
of the removal of the existing parking lot to accommodate a reconfigured and expanded
parking lot totaling 101 spaces (including 6 accessible spaces and 2 loading spaces);
new landscaping; new hardscape (walkways and plazas); new decomposed granite
trails; and drainage improvements (see attached project plans) located at Lower Point
Vicente at 31501 Palos Verdes Drive West; and,
WHEREAS, after notice issued pursuant to the requirement of the Rancho Palos
Verdes Development Code, the Planning Commission held duly noticed public hearings
on January 26, 2010 and February 9, 2010, at which time all interested parties were
given an opportunity to be heard and present evidence; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality
Act, Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et. seq. ("CEQA"), the State CEQA
Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Sections 15000 et. seq., the City's
Local CEQA Guidelines, and Government Code Section 65952.5(e) (Hazardous Waste
and Substances Statement), a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the project
was adopted by the Planning Commission on February 9, 2010 as found in P.C.
Resolution No. 2010-02; and,
WHEREAS, on February 9, 2010, the Planning Commission adopted P.C.
Resolution No. 2010-03 approving, with conditions, Conditional Use Permit No. 200
Revision 'A," Grading Permit, and Coastal Development Permit, to allow for site and
parking lot improvements at the City-owned Lower Point Vicente park in connection with
the 1998 Planning Commission approved expansion project to the Point Vicente
Interpretative Center; and,
WHEREAS, the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) and the Planning
Entitlements for this project were reviewed independently from any other projects being
proposed at Lower Point Vicente, and that these other projects will be processed and
evaluated on their own merits. The site improvements approved under this resolution
will remain valid regardless of the outcome of any other projects at this site; and,
WHEREAS, on August 2, 2010, revised grading plans were submitted to the
Community Development Department to allow a 5,365 cubic yard increase to the
grading quantities approved by the Planning Commission on February 9, 2010; and,
WHEREAS, after notice issued pursuant to the requirement of the Rancho Palos
Verdes Development Code, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public
hearing on August 24, 2010, at which time all interested parties were given an
opportunity to be heard and present evidence.
NOW, THERFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES HEREBY FINDS, DETERMINES, AND RESOLVES AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The proposed amendment to the conditions of approval will not
amend the approved project that allows the construction of site and parking lot
improvements at Lower Point Vicente Park consisting of the removal of the existing
parking lot to accommodate a reconfigured and expanded parking lot totaling 101
spaces (including 6 accessible spaces and 2 loading spaces); new landscaping; new
P.C. Resolution No. 2010 -28
Page 2 of 4
hardscape (walkways and plazas); new decomposed granite trails; and drainage
improvements.
Section 2. Pursuant to Section 17.60.050 of the Rancho Palos Verdes
Municipal Code (the "Municipal Code"), and based upon the evidence presented in the
record, including staff reports, oral and written testimony, and the MND, the Planning
Commission hereby finds that the proposed amendment to the grading conditions of
approval will not change the findings made for the approved project, adopted under
Resolution No. 2010-03, with respect to CUP No. 200 Revision "A," Grading Permit, and
Coastal Development Permit (Planning Case No. 2009-00441), which are incorporated
herein by this reference.
Section 3. Pursuant to Section 17.76.040, and based upon the evidence
presented in the record, including staff reports, oral and written testimony, and the
MND, the Planning Commission hereby finds that the proposed amendments to the
conditions of approval for the revised grading quantities will not change or alter the
findings made for the approved project, adopted under Resolution No. 2010-03, with
respect to CUP No. 200 Revision "A," Grading Permit, and Coastal Development Permit
(Planning Case No. 2009-00441), which are incorporated herein by this reference.
Section 4. Pursuant to Section 17.72.090, and based upon the evidence
presented in the record, including staff reports, oral and written testimony, and the
MND, the Planning Commission hereby finds that the proposed amendments to the
conditions of approval for the revised grading quantities will not change or alter the
findings made for the approved project, adopted under Resolution No. 2010-03, with
respect to CUP No. 200 Revision "A," Grading Permit, and Coastal Development Permit
(Planning Case No. 2009-00441), which are incorporated herein by this reference.
Section 5. Based upon the evidence presented in the record, the Planning
Commission finds that the proposed revision will not "lessen or avoid the intended
effect" of the approved project with respect to providing coastal access and visitor
serving and institutional uses. The Planning Commission further finds that the proposed
amendments to the conditions of approval will not have the potential for adverse
impacts to coastal resources or public access.
Section 6. For the foregoing reasons and based on the information and
findings included in the Staff Report, minutes and other records of proceedings, the
findings adopted under Resolution No. 2010-03, which are incorporated herein by
reference, and the MND, the Planning Commission hereby approves Planning Case No.
2010-00275 consisting of Revision "A-1" to Conditional Use Permit No. 200, Grading
Permit, and Coastal Development Permit to allow 25,885 cubic yards of grading subject
to the conditions set forth in Exhibit "A," attached hereto and incorporated herein by this
reference, and the Mitigation Measures contained in Exhibit "B", attached hereto and
made a part-thereof, which are necessary to project the public health, safety and
welfare.
P.C. Resolution No. 2010 -28
Page 3 of 4
Section 7. Any interested person aggrieved by this decision or by any portion
of this decision many appeal to the City Council. Pursuant to Section 17.56.070 of the
Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code, any such appeal must be filed with the City, in
writing, and with the appropriate appeal fee, no later than fifteen (15) days following
August 24, 2010, the date of the Planning Commission's final action.
PASED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 24th day of August 2010 by the
following roll call vote:
AYES: Chairman Gerstner, Vice Chairman Tomblin and Commissioners Emenhiser,and
Knight
NOES: Commissioner Leon
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Commissioners Lewis and Tetreault
Bill Gerstner
Chairman
Joel R a , AICP
Direct r o Communit evelopment; and,
Secret to the Planning Commission
P.C. Resolution No. 2010 - 28
Page 4 of 4