PC RES 2004-008A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES APPROVING A REVISION TO CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT NO.185 (CASE NO. ZON2003-00683) ALLOWING 13 LIGHT
STANDARDS WITHIN THE PARKING LOT OF THE WAYFARERS
CHAPEL, FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 5755 PALOS VERDES DRIVE
SOUTH.
WHEREAS, on March 10, 1987, the Planning Commission approved Conditional
Use Permit No 117, allowing The Wayfarer's Chapel to install an outdoor lighting system
that consists of 3' tall garden lights and parking lot lights. The Wayfarers Chapel
subsequently installed the garden lights, but did not install the parking lot lighting.
Inasmuch as the parking lot lighting was not installed within one year of the approval, the
approval expired, and,
WHEREAS, on September 20, 1994, the City Council approved landslide
Moratorium Exception Permit No 10, allowing the Wayfarers Chapel to process land use
entitlements for a 2,400 square foot one story Visitor's Center; and,
WHEREAS, On November 25, 1997, the Planning Commission adopted a Mitigated
Negative Declaration and approved Conditional Use Permit No 185, Grading Permit No.
1793, and Variance No. 388, for the construction of a 2,065 square foot one story Visitors
Center and for improvements to an existing Amphitheater area The new Visitors Center
replaced a similar structure on the site that was damaged by landslide activity; and,
WHEREAS, upon appeal of the Planning Commission's approval and considering all
written and oral testimony, on February 17, 1998, the City Council denied the appeal,
thereby upholding the Planning Commission's approval of the Conditional Use Permit; and,
WHEREAS, on July 27, 1998, the Planning Commission approved Conditional Use
Permit No 185, Revision "A " This revision increased the allowable amplified sound
emissions from the outdoor amphitheater; and,
WHEREAS, on July 27, 2000, the Director of Planning, Building, and Code
Enforcement approved Conditional Use Permit No 185, Revision "B." The approval was
for a Minor Modification to lower the finished floor of the Visitors Center by two feet, and,
WHEREAS, on November 12, 2002, the Planning Commission approved a revision
to Conditional Use Permit No. 185 (Case No ZON2002-00346). This approval allowed a
modification in the hours of operation of the Chapel and Visitors Center, and allows
seminars, workshops, and other similar small meetings in the Visitors Center; and,
WHEREAS, On December 22, 2003, The Wayfarers Chapel submitted an
application to revise the Conditional Use Permit, requesting to install the parking lot
lighting. The application was deemed complete by staff on January 13, 2004; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Municipal Code Section 15.20.040(M), the installation of
the light standards within the parking lot is excepted from the City's Landslide Moratorium
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), Staff found no evidence that the revision to the Conditional Use Permit would
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 was issued pursuant to the requirements of the Rancho
Palos Verdes Development Code, the Planning Commission held duly noticed public
hearings on February 24, 2004, at which time all interested parties were given opportunities
to be heard and present evidence, and,
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
PALOS VERDES DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE, AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The approved project consists of the installation of 13 light standards
in the parking lot of The Wayfarers Chapel The light standards have a maximum height of
10'.
Section 2: The modifications to the Conditional Use Permit are warranted since
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 the
Development Code or by conditions imposed under this section to integrate said use with
those on adjacent land and within the neighborhood. More specifically, the installation of
parking lot lighting has been designed to minimize light and glare impacts to the adjoining
properties. Furthermore, conditions of approval have been added that require the lights not
to directly illuminate adjoining properties, limit the height of the light standards, and require
that all parking light be turned off by 10 30 p m.
Section 3: The modifications to the Conditional Use Permit are warranted since
the site for the proposed use relates to streets and highways sufficient to carry the type and
quantity of traffic generated by the use More specifically, the site is accessed from Palos
Verdes Drive South, which has sufficient capacity to accommodate the current traffic
generated by the site. The installation of parking lot lighting is not anticipated to generate
additional traffic.
Section 4: The modifications to the Conditional Use Permit are warranted since in
approving the subject use at the specific location, there will be no significant adverse effect
on adjacent property or the permitted use thereof In particular, the lights have been
designed to downcast light emitted and the applicant has limited the lights to 50 -watt metal
P.0 Resolution No 2004-08
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halide bulbs Light emitted from the proposed standards will not illuminate onto adjoining
properties. Conditions of approval have been included that prohibit the lights from directly
illuminating adjoining properties, require the lights to be turned off by 10 30 p m , and
require a three (3) month review of the lights
Section 5: The modifications to the Conditional Use Permit are warranted since
that the proposed use is not contrary to the general plan. Specifically, the General Plan
Land Use Designation for the subject site is Institutional Religious, which is implemented
with the Institutional zone Inasmuch as the religious facility is a conditionally permitted
use in the zone, the facility compiles with the General Plan Land Use Designation
Furthermore, it is a policy of the General Plan to "require that scenic view disruption by
commercial activates be taken into account, not only in the physical design of structures
and signs, but also in night lighting of extenorgrounds" (Page 85) Given the design of the
light standards, which will downcast the lights, and the fact that the applicant has limited
the lights to 50 -watt metal halide lights bulbs the additional fighting on the site will not
create significant glare.
Section 6: The modifications to the Conditional Use Permit are warranted since
the site of the proposed use is within an overlay control district, established by Chapter
17 40 (Overlay Control Districts) of the Municipal Code, and the use complies with all
applicable requirements of that chapter. More specifically, the subject site is located within
an Urban Overlay Control District. The intent of this overlay district is to preserve and
enhance visual aspects of the area, and to maintain existing views from surrounding
properties and vistas. The installation of the lights does not alter the visual aspects of the
area. Furthermore, the lights do not create view impairment to other properties in the area.
Section 7: The modifications to the Conditional Use Permit are warranted since
Conditions regarding ahy of the requirements, which the Planning Commission finds to be
necessary to protect the health, safety and general welfare, have been imposed. Several
conditions of approval„which include limiting the height of the light standards, the type and
wattage bulbs that can be used, prohibits the lights from directly illuminating adjoining
properties, requires the lights to be turned off by 10:30 p.m., and requires a three (3) month
review of the lights, which are necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare.
Section 8: For the foregoing reasons and based on the information and findings
included in the Staff Report, Minutes and other records of these proceedings, the Planning
Commission of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes hereby approves the revision to
Conditional Use Permit No. 185 (Case No ZON2003-00683), thereby approving the
installation of 13 light standards within the parking lot of the Wayfarers Chapel, subject to
the conditions of approval, as modified and as contained in Exhibit "A", attached hereto
and made a part hereof, which are necessary to protect the public health, safety and
welfare
Section 9: Any interested person aggrieved by this decision or any portion of this
P.0 Resolution No 2004-08
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decision may appeal to the City Council. Pursuant to Sections 17.60.060 and 17 80.070 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 March 10, 2004
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 24th day of February 2004, by the following
vote.
AYES- coTE, RARP, TETREAULT, VAN WAGNER, CHAIR MUELLER
NOES NONE
ABSTENTIONS NONE
U110-160:0111
G�
Craig Mueller,
Chairman
A --Cr
oel otas, i
ire or of ning, Building and Code Enforcement, and,
Secretary to the Planning Commission
P C. Resolution No. 2004-08
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Exhibit "A"
Conditions of Approval
(Planning Commission Resolution No. 2004-08)
Revision to Conditional Use Permit No. 185
(Case No. ZON2003-00683)
The approval of this revision to Conditional Use Permit No 185 (Case No
ZON2003-00683) allows the installation of 13 light standards within the medians of
the parking lot for The Wayfarers Chapel.
2. Approval of this revision to Conditional Use Permit No 185 shall not be construed to
mean any waiver of applicable and appropriate zoning regulations, or any Federal,
State, County, and City laws and regulations Unless otherwise expressly specified,
all other requirements of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code shall
apply
3. The applicant/property owner shall submit to the City a statement, in writing that
they have read, understand and agree to all conditions of approval listed below.
Failure to provide said written statement within ninety (90) days of the effective date
of approval shall render this approval null and void
4 Unless modified by a previous revision to Conditional Use Permit or herein, the
landowner shall comply with all Mitigation Measures and Conditions of Approval
contained in Resolution Nos 98-05, 98-06, and 98-07, granted in association with
Conditional Use Permit No 185, Grading Permit No. 1793, Variance No. 388, and
Environmental Assessment No 676.
5. The site lighting shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission three (3) months
from Building and Safety permit final of the new lighting standards, to review the
applicant's compliance with the conditions of approval At that time, the Planning
Commission may add, delete, or modify the conditions of approval as deemed
necessary and appropriate Notice of said review hearing shall be published and
provided to owners of property within a 500' radius, to persons requesting notice, to
all affected homeowners associations, and to the property owner in accordance with
Rancho Palos Verdes Development Code Section 17.80.090.
6. Pursuant to Municipal Code Section 17.56.040, the parking light standards shall not
exceed a height of 10, as measured from the adjacent finished grade.
7. All electrical conduits associated with the parking lot lights shall be below grade.
8 The parking lot lights shall not illuminate or spillover onto any adjoining property.
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9. The light bulbs utilized in the parking lot lights shall be metal -halide and shall not
exceed 50 -watts per bulb.
10 Pursuant to Condition of Approval No 8 of P.0 Resolution No 2002-29, all exterior
lighting shall be turned off by 10:30 p.m. or within 1/2 hour following a special
evening event for which a permit has been obtained, which ever is later.
P C Resolution No. 2004-08
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