PC RES 2014-019 P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2014-19
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CONDITIONALLY APPROVING A
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REVISION (ZON2013-00503) TO ALLOW
VERIZON WIRELESS TO INSTALL A BACK-UP GENERATOR ON
57FT2 OF AREA WITHIN AN 8' TALL ENCLOSURE AT THE REAR OF
THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 6410 PALOS VERDES DRIVE SOUTH.
WHEREAS, on April 29, 1997, the Planning Commission adopted P.C. Resolution No.
97-22, thereby allowing Pacific Bell Mobile Services (now known as AT&T) to install four panel
antennas to the building fagades of the St. Peters by the Sea Church building and install related
equipment cabinets at the ground level; and,
WHEREAS, on September 14, 1999, the Planning Commission adopted P.C. Resolution
No. 99-31, thereby allowing Nextel Communications (now known as Sprint) to erect a 35' tall
monopole, designed as a cross, and install related equipment enclosed with retaining walls up
to 7.1' in height (42yd3 of related grading). This approval included AirTouch Cellular (now
known as Verizon) to co-locate their antennas on said monopole; and,
WHEREAS, on December 10, 2013, Core Development Services, representing Verizon,
submitted a Conditional Use Permit revision application, requesting to install a back-up
generator for their antennas at the ground level; and,
WHEREAS, after an initial review, the project was deemed incomplete on January 10,
2014 based on insufficient information. After a series of revised plans and submittal of
additional information, the project was deemed complete on June 16, 2014; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act,
Public Resources Code Sections 21000 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 proposed project has been found to be categorically exempt under Class 3
(Section 15303); and,
WHEREAS, after notice issued on June 19, 2014, pursuant to the requirements of the
Rancho Palos Verdes Development Code, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public
hearing on July 8, 2014, 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: The proposed project is a request by Verizon Wireless to install a back-up
generator to power the antennas in case the existing equipment were to fail. The new back-up
generator is proposed to be located on a flat area immediately in front of the monopole, near the
existing antenna equipment. The area dedicated for the back-up generator will be 64" in depth
by 10'-8" in width, screened within an 8' tall enclosure (6' tall freestanding wall with a 2' wrought
iron fence on top, covered by a wrought iron trellis). The enclosure itself is proposed to be
further screened with landscaping.
P.C. Resolution No. 2014-19
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Section 2: Approval of a Conditional Use Permit revision to allow Verizon Wireless to
install a back-up generator within an 8' tall enclosure is warranted because:
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. More specifically, the proposed project will be located on a 57ft2 of
narrow unpaved area between an existing walkway and an existing monopole and
therefore will not affect any existing structures or walkways. Additionally, the
proposed project will be located to the rear of the property, at least 280' from the
front, 80' from the rear, and 180' from the side property lines. Furthermore, the
proposed back-up generator will be located within a new 8' tall enclosure. The
enclosure will consist of a 6' tall solid stucco wall, painted to match the existing
equipment enclosure, with a 2' tall wrought iron fence on top. A wrought iron trellis is
proposed as a cover over the enclosure. Also, landscaping is proposed around the
new walls to further screen the new walls.
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 since any required service
will be part of the current routine maintenance schedule for the existing Verizon
antennas and related equipment on the subject property.
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. More specifically,
the proposed project area will not be readily visible from any of the surrounding
properties since the residential properties to the west are at least 180' away and
screened by foliage along the shared side property line and the properties to the
south are at least 85' away and more than 20' lower that the proposed project area.
Additionally, the proposed project area will be located behind church buildings, and
therefore will not visible from either the public right-of-way to the north or the
residential properties to the east. Furthermore, the proposed back-up generator will
only be in operation if the existing Verizon equipment fails and will be tested on a
weekly basis for a period of 15-minutes. The maximum noise level for the back-up
generator is 64dBA, which is what the Code allows within the required setbacks of
properties.
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 back-up generator will ensure that
communication services will be maintained in times of power outages or other
emergencies. Additionally, as described in Section 2C above, there are no
significant adverse visual or noise impacts resulting from the proposed project.
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E. The site of the proposed use is consistent with the performance criteria of both the
Socio-Cultural and Urban Appearance 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 proposed back-up generator will not
visible from the public right-of-way and neighboring properties as it will be located
within an enclosure that matches the exterior of the existing Verizon's equipment
enclosure.and the new enclosure itself will be screened with shrubs.
Section 3: 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 5:30 PM on Wednesday, July 23,
2014. 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 5:30 PM on July 23, 2014.
Section 4: 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; thereby allowing Verizon Wireless to install a back-up generator within an
8' tall enclosure at 6410 Palos Verdes Drive South (Case No. ZON2013-00503).
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 8th day of July 2014, by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners Gerstner, Jamps, Tomblin, Chairman Leon
NOES: j4t?ne
ABSTENTIONS: None
RECUSALS: Commissioner Emenhiser
ABSENT: Commissioners Cruikshank, Vice Chairman Ne n
Gordon Leon,
Chairman
Joel Vni
cP
Comevelo ent Director; and,
Secrhe Planning Commission
P.C. Resolution No. 2014- 19
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EXHIBIT 'A'
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR
CASE NO. ZON2013-00503 (Verizon)
6410 Palos Verdes Drive South
General Conditions:
1. 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.
2. Prior to conducting any work in the public right of way, such as for curb cuts, dumpsters,
temporary improvements and/or permanent improvements, the applicant shall obtain an
encroachment permit from the Director of Public Works.
3. 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 commercial
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,
approval of 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. This approval is only for the items described within these conditions and identified on the
stamped APPROVED plans and is not an approval of any existing illegal or legal non-
conforming structures on the property, unless the approval of such illegal or legal non-
conforming structure is specifically identified within these conditions or on the stamped
APPROVED plans.
11. 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.
12. Permitted hours and days for construction activity are 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday
through Friday, 9:OOAM to 5:OOPM on 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. During demolition, construction and/or grading operations,
trucks shall not park, queue and/or idle at the project site or in the adjoining street rights-
of-way before 7AM Monday through Friday and before 9AM on Saturday, in accordance
with the permitted hours of construction stated in this condition. When feasible to do so,
the construction contractor shall provide staging areas on-site to minimize off-site
transportation of heavy construction equipment. These areas shall be located to
maximize the distance between staging activities and neighboring properties, subject to
approval by the building official.
13. All grading, landscaping and construction activities shall exercise effective dust control
techniques, either through screening and/or watering.
14. All construction sites shall be maintained in a secure, safe, neat and orderly manner, to
the satisfaction of the City's Building Official. All construction waste and debris resulting
from a construction, alteration or repair project shall be removed on a weekly basis by
the contractor or property owner. Existing or temporary portable bathrooms shall be
provided during construction. Portable bathrooms shall be placed in a location that will
minimize disturbance to the surrounding property owners, to the satisfaction of the City's
Building Official.
Proiect Specific Conditions:
15. This approval allows the following:
a) Installation of a back-up generator in front of an existing monopole;
b) Construction of an 8' tall enclosure, consisting of a 6' tall freestanding wall with a
2' wrought iron fence on top, covered by a wrought iron trellis;
c) Planting of shrubs around the new walls.
16. The new walls of the enclosure shall match the texture and color of the existing Verizon
equipment enclosure.
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17. The weekly testing of the back-up generator shall be limited to the permitted hours and
days for construction activity, as described in condition no. 12 above.
18. Noise levels from the back-up generator shall not exceed 65dBA as measured from the
closest property lines.
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