PC RES 2011-040 P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2011-40
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CONDITIONALLY APPROVING A
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REVISION (ZON2011-0 0277) TO ALLOW
VERIZON WIRELESS TO INSTALL A DIESEL POWERED STAND-BY
GENERATOR TO THE REAR OF A TWO-STORY ADMINISTRATIVE
BUILDING AT THE CITY HALL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 30940
HAWTHORNE BLVD.
WHEREAS, on January 11, 1994, the Planning Commission adopted resolution No. 94-
5, allowing Verizon Wireless to install eight, 24" x 12" antennas on an existing antenna tower on
City Hall property; and,
WHEREAS, August 26, 2009, the Community Development Director approved a minor
modification allowing Verizon Wireless to replace a total of four existing 24" x 12" antennas with
two 54" x 14.6" antennas and two 50.9" x 10.6" antennas in the same location; and,
WHEREAS, on September 3, 2011, the Community Development Director approved a
revision to the previously approved minor modification in 2009, allowing Verizon Wireless to
install two additional 48.4" x 12.2" antennas on the existing antenna tower; and,
WHEREAS, on September 30, 2011, Verizon Wireless submitted a new Conditional Use
Permit Revision application requesting to install a diesel powered stand-by generator to the rear
of a two-story administrative building at City Hall property; and,
WHEREAS, on October 20, 2011, the application was deemed incomplete based on
insufficient information; and,
WHEREAS, on November 15, 2011, upon receiving additional information, the project
was deemed complete; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act,
Public Resources Code Sections 2.1000 et. seq. ("CEQA"), the State's CEQA Guidelines,
California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15000 et. seq., the City's Local CEQA
Guidelines, and Government Code Section 65962.5(f) (Hazardous Waste and Substances
Statement), the Planning Commission found' no evidence that the Conditional. Use Permit
Revision will have a significant effect on the environment and, therefore, the proposed project
has been found to be categorically exempt under Class 1 (Section 15301); and,
WHEREAS, after notice issued on November 21, 2011, pursuant to the requirements of
the Rancho Palos Verdes Development Code, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed
public hearing on December 13, 2011, at which time all interested parties were given an
opportunity to be heard and present evidence.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: Approval of a Conditional Use Permit Revision to allow Verizon Wireless
to install a diesel powered stand-by generator to the rear of a two-story administrative building
at City Hall is warranted because:
P.C. Resolution No. 201140
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A. The site is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the proposed use and for all
of the yards, setbacks, walls, fences, landscaping and other features required by this
title (Title 17 — Zoning) or by conditions imposed under this section (RPVMC
17.60.050) to integrate said use with those on adjacent land and within the
neighborhood because Verizon Wireless is proposing to install a stand-by generator
in the same location as the City's old generator to power the existing commercial
antennas on an existing monopole in times of power shortage. More specifically, the
stand-by generator will be placed behind existing bollards on an existing concrete
pad where an old City back-up generator used to be located.
B. The site for the proposed use relates to streets and highways sufficient to carry the
type and quantity of traffic generated by the subject use. More specifically, there will
be no additional traffic generated by the proposed project because the proposed
stand-by generator will be subject to the same routine maintenance as the existing
Verizon Wireless commercial antennas, which occurs on a monthly basis.
C. In approving the subject use at the specific location, there will be no significant
adverse effect on adjacent property or the permitted use thereof, because the
proposed project will not be visible from surrounding properties and will be located in
the same location as the City's old back-up generator. More specifically, the
proposed generator is located behind an existing equipment container to the north
and a two-story building to, the east and therefore will not be visible from any
properties to the north or east of City Hall. Additionally, the proposed project will not
be visible from the neighboring properties located to the west and south since they
are located at least 100' lower in elevation than City Hall.
D. The proposed use is not contrary to the General Plan because as proposed and
conditioned, the project implements goals and policies of the General Plan to
"ensure adequate public utilities and communication services to all residents, while
maintaining the quality of the environment" and "require adequate landscaping or
buffering techniques for all new and existing facilities and networks, in order to
reduce the visual impact of many infrastructure facilities and networks (infrastructure
Policy No. 8)". More specifically, the proposed stand-by generator will ensure that
communication services will be maintained in times of power shortages or
emergencies.
E. The site of the proposed use is not within any of the overlay control districts
established by Chapter 17.40 (Overlay Control Districts) of the Development Code.
F. Conditions regarding any of the requirements listed in this paragraph, which the
Planning Commission finds to be necessary to protect the health, safety and general
welfare, have been imposed (including but not limited to): setbacks and buffers;
fences or walls; lighting; vehicular ingress or egress; noise, vibration, odors and
similar emissions; landscaping; maintenance of structures, grounds or signs; service
roads or alleys; and such other conditions as will make possible development of the
City in an orderly and efficient manner and in conformity with the intent and purposes
set forth in this title (Title 17 — Zoning), as described in the conditions of approval of
the attached Exhibit 'A.' More specifically, the size and placement for the proposal
are such that additional conditions are not necessary to reduce visual impacts.
P.C. Resolution No. 2011-40
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Section 2: Any interested person aggrieved by this decision or any portion of this
decision may appeal to the City Council. The appeal shall set forth the grounds for appeal and
any specific action being requested by the appellant. Any appeal letter must be filed within
fifteen (15) calendar days of the date of this decision, or by 4:30 PM on Friday, January 6, 2012.
A $2,275.00 appeal fee must accompany any appeal letter. If no appeal is filed timely, the
Planning Commission's decision will be final at 4:30 PM on January 6, 2012.
Section 3: For the foregoing reasons and based on the information and findings
included in the Staff Report, Minutes and other records of proceedings, the Planning
Commission of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes hereby conditionally approves a Conditional
Use Permit Revision, allowing Verizon Wireless to install a diesel powered stand-by generator
to the rear of a two-story administrative building at City Hall (Case No. ZON2011-00277).
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 13" day of December 2011, by the following vote-
AYES: Commissioners Gerstner, Lewis, Leon, Vice Chairman Tetreault, Chairman Tomblin
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
RECUSALS: Commissioner Emenhiser
ABSENT: None
-=———D7avid L. Tomblii�,—`�
Chairman
Joel R 'CP
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Comm Rola
lopn Uet Director; and,
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Secreta he Planning Commission
P.C. Resolution No. 201140
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EXHIBIT `A'
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR
CASE NO. ZON2011-00277 (Verizon Wireless)
30940 Hawthorne Blvd. (City Hall)
General Conditions:
1 All of the conditions contained in P.C. Resolution No. 94-5 and minor modifications
approved by the Director on August 26, 2009 and September 3, 2009 are hereby
superseded by the following conditions related to ZON2011-00277.
2. Prior to the submittal of plans into Building and Safety plan check, the applicant and the
property owner shall submit to the City a statement, in writing, that they have read,
understand, and agree to all conditions of approval contained in this Resolution. Failure
to provide said written statement within ninety (90) days following the date of this
approval shall render this approval null and void.
1 Approval of this permit shall not be construed as a waiver of applicable and appropriate
zoning regulations, or any Federal, State, County and/or City laws and regulations.
Unless otherwise expressly specified, all other requirements of the City of Rancho Palos
Verdes Municipal Code shall apply.
4. The Community Development Director is authorized to make minor modifications to the
approved plans and any of the conditions of approval if such modifications will achieve
substantially the same results as would strict compliance with the approved plans and
conditions. Otherwise, any substantive change to the project shall require approval of a
revision by the final body that approved the original project, which may require new and
separate environmental review.
5. The project development on the site shall conform to the specific standards contained in
these conditions of approval or, if not addressed herein, shall conform to the residential
development standards of the City's Municipal Code, including but not limited to height,
setback and lot coverage standards.
6. Failure to comply with and adhere to all of these conditions of approval may be cause to
revoke the approval of the project pursuant to the revocation procedures contained in
Section 17.86.060 of the City's Municipal Code.
7. If the applicant has not submitted an application for a building permit for the approved
project or not commenced the approved project as described in Section 17.86-070 of the
City's Municipal Code within one year of the final effective date of this Resolution,
approvalof the project shall expire and be of no further effect unless, prior to expiration,
a written request for extension is filed with the Community Development Department and
approved by the Director.
8. In the event that any of these conditions conflict with the recommendations and/or
requirements of another permitting agency or City department, the stricter standard shall
apply.
9. Unless otherwise designated in these conditions, all construction shall be completed in
substantial conformance with the plans stamped APPROVED by the City with the effective
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date of this Resolution.
10. The construction site and adjacent public and private properties and streets shall be kept
free of all loose materials resembling trash and debris in excess of that material used for
immediate construction purposes. Such excess material may include, but not be limited
to: the accumulation of debris, garbage, lumber, scrap metal, concrete asphalt, piles of
earth, salvage materials, abandoned or discarded furniture, appliances or other
household fixtures.
11. Permitted hours and days for construction activity are 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday
through Saturday, with no construction activity permitted on Sundays or on the legal
holidays specified in Section 17.96.920 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Development Code.
Trucks shall not park, queue and/or idle at the project site or in the adjoining public
rights-of-way before 7:00 AM, Monday through Saturday, in accordance with the
permitted hours of construction stated in this condition.
12. All grading, landscaping and construction activities shall exercise effective dust control
techniques, either through screening and/or watering,
13, All construction sites shall be maintained in a secure, safe, neat and orderly manner.
Temporary portable bathrooms shall be provided on a construction site if required by the
City's Building Official. Said portable bathrooms shall be subject to the approval of the
City's Building Official and shall be placed in a location that will minimize disturbance to
the surrounding property owners,
Prosect-Specific Conditions:
14. This approval allows Verizon Wireless to install a diesel powered stand-by generator to
the rear of a two-story administrative building at City Hall,
15. The applicant shall obtain applicable permits from the Building & Safety Division, Public
Works Department and the Fire Department.
16. Verizon Wireless shall contact Mr, Siamak Motahad or his designee in the Pubic Works
Department, at least two-weeks prior to conducting any work on City Hall property.
17. Any future changes to the following existing antennas on the monopole or related
equipment shall require City approval:
• Two 24"x12" panel antennas (approved per P,C, Resolution 94-5)
• Two 54"x14.6" panel antennas (minor modification per Director, Aug. 26, 2009)
• Two 50,9"x10,6" panel antennas (minor modification per Director, Aug, 26, 2009)
• Two 48,4"x12.2" panel antennas (minor modification per Director, Sept. 3, 2009)
18. Verizon Wireless shall submit periodic updates on Wireless Communications
Technology for their respective systems to the Community Development Director every
five years, from the date of this approval. These updates shall identify both new and
emerging technologies, as well as outdated or obsolete technologies whose facilities and
infrastructure (i.e. antennae, monopoles, etc.) could be replaced or removed.
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19. This approval shall terminate concurrently with the Ilease between the City and Verizon
Wireless, Upon termination, the stand-by generator shall be removed at the same time
as the antennas on the monopole,
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