PC RES 2014-024 P.C. RESOLUTION NO. 2014-24
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES DENYING, WITHOUT
PREJUDICE, A HEIGHT VARIATION, GRADING PERMIT & SITE
PLAN REVIEW FOR A ONE AND TWO-STORY ADDITION, AND
A RETAINING WALL AND EXCAVATION TO ACCOMMODATE
THE PROPOSED PROJECT, ON AN EXISTING LOT LOCATED
AT 6321 VILLA ROSA (CASE NO. ZON2014-00064).
WHEREAS, on February 10, 2014, the applicant submitted a Height
Variation, Grading Permit and Site Plan Review application to the Community
Development Department requesting approval of a one and two-story addition to an
existing one-story single-family residence, and a 4'-0" tall retaining wall with associated
grading to accommodate the project; and,
WHEREAS, on February 27, 2014, the application was deemed incomplete due
to missing information on the project plans; and,
WHEREAS, on March 14, 2014, March 20, 2014, March 25, 2014 and April 17,
2014, the applicant submitted additional information and revisedplans; and,
WHEREAS„ on April 21, 2014, Staff deemed the project complete; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality
Act, Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et. Sect. ("CEQA"), the State's CEQA
Guidelines, California Code of Regulation, Title 14, Section 15000 et. Seq., the City's
Local CEQA Guidelines, and Government Code Section 65962.5(f) (Hazardous Waste
and Substances Statement), Staff found no evidence that ,ZON2014-00008 would have
a significant effect on the environment and, therefore, the proposed project has been
found to be categorically exempt under Class 1 (Section 15303) since the project
involves construction of an addition to an existing residence on a legally subdivided lot;
and,
WHEREAS, on May 27, 2014, after notice issued pursuant to the requirements
of the Rancho Palos Verdes Development Code, the Planning Commission held a duly
noticed public hearing at which time all interested parties were given an opportunity to
be heard and present evidence. Given concerns raised with neighborhood compatibility,
view impairment, and privacy impacts, the Planning Commission continued the public
hearing to July 8, 2014 to allow the applicant time to address the concerns raised by
Staff, the Planning Commission and the public; and,
WHEREAS, on June 26, 2014, the applicant submitted revised plans to the
Community Development Department to address the concerns raised by the Planning
Commission. The revisions included the elimination of the second story addition over
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the garage, an increase in the rear yard setback from 19'-3" to 33'-8", elimination of
balconies along the rear fagade of the second story addition, clerestory windows and
one (1) standard window along the rear fagade of the second story, reduction in ceiling
heights from 9'-0" to 8'-0" on the second floor, reduction in the roof pitch from 4:12 to
2.5:12, reduction in the square footage from 4,452 square feet to 3,886 square feet,
reduction in the structure height from 25'-5" to 23'-7" and second story setbacks from
the first floor; and,
WHEREAS, on July 8, 2014, the Planning Commission heard public testimony
and considered the merits of a revised project submitted by the applicant. The Planning
Commission determined that the revised project continued to creat cumulative view
impairment impacts to 27919, 27925 and 27931 Alvarez Dr. and bulk and mass impacts
due to the overall height and overall size of the structure. Given the continued concerns,
after discussing potential design revision options with the applicant at the public
hearing, the Planning Commission continued the public hearing to August 12, 2014 to
allow the applicant time to address the concerns raised by the Planning Commission;
and,
WHEREAS, on July 21, 2014, the applicant submitted revised plans to the
Community Development Department to address concerns raised by the Planning
Commission at the July 8, 2014 Planning Commission meeting. The revisions included
an additional reduction in structure height from 23 -7" to 22'-7, an increased side yard
setback from 5'-0" to 6"-3", and a further reduced structure size from 3,886 square feet
to 3,841 square feet; and,
WHEREAS, on August 12, 2014, the Planning Commission continued the public
hearing to August 26, 2014 without discussion on the merits of the project; and,
WHEREAS, on August 26, 2014, the Planning Commission heard public
testimony and considered the merits of a project. Based on discussion at the August 26,
2014 hearing, the Planning Commission closed the public hearing and directed Staff to
return to the September 9, 2014 meeting with a Resolution to deny the project, and,
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 not compatible with the immediate
neighborhood character as it creates bulk and mass impacts to the neighborhood. More
specifically, the project is the second largest home in the neighborhood on the second
smallest lot. Due to the overall square footage of the revised project, which is proposed
at 3,841 square feet (garage included), the scale of the residence would alter the
character of the immediate neighborhood.
Section 2: Given the number of public hearings on the proposed project and
the Applicant's continued efforts to redesign the project to meet the concerns of Staff,
the neighborhood and the Planning Commission, in the event that the project is
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appealed by the applicant to the City Council, the Planning Commission recommends
that the City Council waive the appeal fee established by Resolution of the City Council.
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, September 24, 2014. A $2,275 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 September 24, 2014.
Section 4: For the foregoing reasons and based on the information and
findings included in the Staff Reports, the Planning Commission of the City of Rancho
Palos Verdes hereby denies, without prejudice, Case No, ZON2014-00064 for a Height
Variation, Grading Permit and Site Plan Review.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this qffi day of September 2014, by the
following vote:
AYES: Commissioners Emenhiser, Gerstner, and James
NOES: Commissioner Cruikshank and Vice Chairman Nelson
RECUSALS: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT- Commissioner Tomblin and Chairman Leon
G G
n Leon
Chairman
JoelAICW J
Corn Vun�i DevWpment Director; and,
Secr f the Planning Commission
P.C. Resolution No. 2014-24
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