ORD 276 ORDINANCE NO. 276
I/ AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES ADOPTING AN AMENDMENT
TO CHAPTER 15.20 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE.
WHEREAS, on September 3, 1991, the City Council directed Staff
to prepare an amendment to Chapter 15.20 of the City's Municipal
Code, entitled "Moratorium on Land Use Permits; and
WHEREAS, a Subcommittee of the City Council and Planning
Commission held workshops on September 13, 25 and October 2, 1991
and which Subcommittee gave direction and made decision upon
formulation of the amendment; and
WHEREAS, after notice pursuant to the provisions of the Rancho
Palos Verdes Municipal Code, the Planning Commission public
hearings were held on October 8 and 22, 1991, at which time all
interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard and
present evidence regarding the amendment; and
WHEREAS, Environmental Assessment No. 629 was prepared in
accordance with the State of California Environmental Quality Act
and the State of California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines
for said amendment, after which a Draft Negative Declaration was
prepared; and
WHEREAS, the City issued a public notice for the determination
of a Draft Negative Declaration on October 5, 1991 which public
comment period ran for 30 days, through November 4, 1991; and
WHEREAS, on October 22, 1991, the Planning Commission adopted
P.C. Resolution No. 91-57, recommending to the City Council
certification of the Draft Negative Declaration and P.C. Resolution
No. 91-58, recommending to the City Council approval of the
amendment to Chapter 15.20; and
WHEREAS, after notice pursuant to the provisions of the Rancho
Palos Verdes Municipal Code, the City Council public hearing was
held on November 19, 1991, at which time all interested parties
were given an opportunity to be heard and present evidence
regarding the amendment; and
WHEREAS, on December 3, 1991, the City Council adopted
Resolution No. 91-88 certifying the Negative Declaration and
introduced this ordinance for first reading.
NOW THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE, AND ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The City Council has reviewed and considered the
amendment to Chapter 15.20 of the Municipal Code.
Section 2 : The City Council finds that the amendment to
Chapter 15.20 is consistent with the Rancho Palos Verdes General
Plan and Coastal Specific Plan in that it upholds, and does not
hinder, the goals and policies of those plans, in particular to
1/
carefully control and direct future growth towards making a
positive contribution to all elements of the community.
Section 3 : The City Council finds that the amendment to
Chapter 15.20 is substantially the same as previous provisions of
the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code or any other ordinance
repealed, amended or superseded upon the enactment of this
ordinance and that the amendment to Chapter 15.20 be construed as
a restatement and continuation of these previous provisions and not
as a new enactment.
Section 4 : The City Council further finds that the amendment
to Chapter 15. 20 is necessary to preserve the public health,
safety, and general welfare in the area.
Section 5: For the foregoing reasons and based on the
information and findings included in the staff reports and records
of the proceedings, the City Council does hereby ordain the
adoption of the amendment to Chapter 15.20 of the Rancho Palos
Verdes Municipal Code as attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and
incorporated herein by this reference.
Section 6: The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of
this Ordinance and shall cause the same to be published in the
manner prescribed by law.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 17th day of December, 1991.
/9'
Alt
wr MAY•R woofor
ATTEST:
AO,
CITY CLE'
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS
I/
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES)
Ordinance No. 276
page 2 of 9
I, JO PURCELL, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes
do hereby certify that the whole number of members of the City
I/ Council of said City is five; that the foregoing Ordinance No. 276,
passed first reading on December 3, 1991, was duly and regularly
adopted by the City Council of said City at a regular meeting
thereof held on December 17, 1991, and that the same was passed and
adopted by the following roll call vote:
AYES: BACHARACH, RYAN, KUYKENDALL, MAYOR PRO TEM BROOKS,
AND MAYOR McTAGGART
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
tAL_i
C Y CLERIC
1/
Ordinance No. 276
page 3 of 9
Chapter 15. 20 of the Municipal Code shall read as follows:
Chapter 15.20
MORATORIUM ON LAND USE PERMITS
I/
Sections:
15.2 0. 010 Definitions.
15.20. 020 New construction permits not issued.
15.20.030 Revocation of unused permits.
15.20. 040 Exceptions.
15. 20. 050 Applications, permits and conditions.
15. 20. 060 Building code applicability and nonsuit covenant.
15. 20. 070 Landslide mitigation measures required.
15.20. 080 Exclusions.
15. 2 0. 010 Definitions. The following definitions shall apply
to this chapter:
A. "Alter" is to change in some but not all aspects where
necessary to continue the use of, and where repair, replacement and
restoration are not possible.
B. "Maintenance" is to keep in a particular safe condition.
C. "Repair" is to bring back to a safe condition after
partial decay or destruction.
D. "Replacement" is to exchange a damaged portion for a new
equivalent portion without changing form or function. For a
dwelling it is to construct a new portion of a dwelling to
substitute for that existing prior to damage.
E. "Restoration" is to bring back to the original condition.
15. 20. 020 New construction permits not issued.
Notwithstanding any other ordinance or code of the city, the city
declares a moratorium on the filing, processing, approval or
issuance of building, grading or other permits, environmental
assessments, environmental impact reports, conditional use permits,
tentative maps or parcel maps in the area of the city identified as
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the "landslide moratorium" area as outlined in red on the
"landslide moratorium map" on file in the office of the director of
environmental services of the city.
Exhibit "A," Ordinance No. 276
page 4 of 9
15.20. 030 Revocation of unused permits. Any building,
grading permit or other permit for new construction in the
landslide moratorium area which has been previously granted by the
city but which has not been acted upon in substantial reliance by
the holder thereof is hereby revoked.
I/ 15.20. 040 Exceptions. The moratorium shall not be applicable
to any of the following:
A. Maintenance of existing structures or facilities which do
not increase the land coverage of those facilities or add to the
water usage of those facilities.
B. Replacement, repair or restoration of a residential
building or structure which has been damaged or destroyed due to:
1. A geologic hazard. Such structure may be replaced,
repaired or restored to original condition provided that such
construction shall be limited to the same square footage and in the
same general location on the property and said construction will
not aggravate any hazardous geologic condition, if a hazardous
geologic condition remains. Prior to approval for such
construction, the applicant shall submit to the city geologist any
geological or geotechnical studies reasonably required by the city
geotechnical staff and the applicant shall comply with the
conditions set forth in Section 15.20. 070 of this Code and shall
substantially repair the geologic condition in a manner approved by
the city geotechnical staff. Setbacks may be waived upon
application to the director of environmental services and may be
expanded to conform to the setbacks listed below:
Minimum Setback Standards
Front Interior side Street side Rear
20 5 10 15
2 . A hazard other than a geologic hazard. Such
structure may be replaced, repaired or restored to original
condition provided that such construction shall be limited to the
same square footage and in the same general location on the
property and said construction will not aggravate any hazardous
condition, if a hazardous condition remains. Prior to approval for
such construction, the applicant shall comply with the conditions
I/ set forth in Section 15.20. 070.E of this Code. Setbacks may be
waived upon application to the director of environmental services
and may be expanded to conform to the setbacks listed in Section
15.20.040.81.
C. Permits for structures existing prior to October 5, 1978
for which permits were not previously granted. Such permits may
Exhibit "A," Ordinance No. 276
page 5 of 9
only be granted if the structure is brought into substantial
compliance with the Uniform Building Code.
D. The approval of an environmental assessment or
environmental impact report for a project as to which the city or
redevelopment agency is the project applicant.
E. City council or city redevelopment agency board-approved
projects to mitigate the potential for landslide.
I/
F. Remedial grading to correct problems caused by landslide,
as per Section 17.76. 040.
G. Minor projects, not exceeding six hundred square feet per
parcel, with no new bathroom or kitchen fixtures not involving new
buildings. Such minor projects may be approved by the director of
environmental services provided that sufficient geological or
geotechnical information is submitted by the applicant and approved
by the city geotechnical staff indicating that the project will not
aggravate the existing situation. One detached garage per parcel
may be approved not exceeding an area of six hundred square feet,
without windows, provided that a use restriction covenant in a form
acceptable to the city preventing the garage from being used for
any purpose other than parking of vehicles and storage of personal
property is recorded with the Los Angeles County Registrar-
Recorder. An application for a minor project in excess of six
hundred square feet per parcel which would otherwise meet the
criteria of this subsection 15.20. 040.G may be approved by the city
council under the standards of this subsection 15. 20. 040.G.
H. Construction of temporary minor nonresidential structures
which do not increase water use, provided that sufficient
geological or geotechnical information is submitted by the
applicant and approved by the city geotechnical staff indicating
that the project will not aggravate the existing situation.
I. Submittal of a lot line adjustment application.
J. Issuance of permits for the construction of residential
buildings and accessory structures in the area outlined in green on
the landslide moratorium map on file in the environmental services'
office. Such permits shall be issued only if all applicable
requirements of this code are satisfied, the parcel is served by
sanitary sewers, and the conditions set forth in Section 15. 20. 070
are met.
15.20. 050 Applications, permits and conditions. Nothing
contained in this section shall except the proposed construction or
use from any requirement or regulation of the building code, zoning
ordinance or other ordinance of this Code or the California
Environmental Quality Act. Conditions may be attached to such
Exhibit "A," Ordinance No. 276
page 6 of 9
permits, such as nonsuit covenants and sewer assessment agreements.
All applicants for permits or approvals under this chapter as
amended shall submit to the city a hold harmless agreement
satisfactory to the city attorney promising to defend, indemnify,
and hold the city harmless from any claims or damages resulting
I/ from the requested activity.
15.20. 060 Building code applicability and nonsuit covenant
required. The building code, as amended, and existing plan
checking procedures are adequate and appropriate to allow and
regulate maintenance, repair, restoration, replacement, and
alteration as defined in this chapter. The Administrative Code,
including Sections 309 through 319 as added by Section 15. 18. 110,
applies and permits are required. A nonsuit covenant must be filed
with the city releasing the city of responsibility related to
whatever hazard may exist.
15. 20. 070 Landslide mitigation measures required. Within the
landslide moratorium area as identified in Section 15.20. 020, the
building official shall require that appropriate landslide
abatement measures be taken as a condition of permit issuance.
Such measures shall include, but not be limited to:
A. All lot drainage deficiencies, if any, identified by the
director of public works shall be corrected.
B. Septic systems shall be replaced with approved holding
tank systems in which to dispose of on-site waste water or other
approved ground water mitigation measures of equivalent
effectiveness shall be implemented.
C. Roof runoff from all buildings and structures on the site
shall be contained and directed to the streets or an approved
drainage course.
D. If required by the city geotechnical staff, the applicant
shall submit a soils report. If a soils report is required, the
city geotechnical staff shall specify in writing the reasons for
requiring the report and the issues the report must address. The
report shall be prepared in a form satisfactory to the city's
geotechnical staff and the applicant shall comply with all
recommendations of the city's geotechnical staff.
E. An agreement to support and participate in sewer and storm
I/ drain assessment districts and other geological and geotechnical
hazard abatement measures shall be signed by the applicant.
F. All landscaping irrigation systems shall be part of a
water management system approved by the director of public works.
Exhibit "A," Ordinance No. 276
page 7 of 9
G. In the case of pools and spas, a leak detection system
approved by the director of public works shall be installed.
H. All other necessary permits and approvals required
pursuant to this Code or any other applicable statute law or
ordinance shall be obtained.
15. 20. 080 Exclusions. For a parcel of land to be excluded
from the landslide moratorium area, a landowner, or his designated I/
agent, may apply for such exclusion to the city council.
A. Application. To obtain an exclusion from this chapter, an
applicant shall file an application for exclusion with the director
and signed by the property owner. An application shall not be
deemed complete until all required geology studies have been
completed and review has been completed by the city geotechnical
staff. An application shall include the following:
1. The reason for the request.
2 . A legal description of the property and a map of the
property.
3 . All anticipated development applications.
4 . Any existing geological or geotechnical reports or
necessary geology studies as determined by the city geotechnical
staff.
5. A fee as established by the city council.
6. Any additional information as determined by the
director or the city geotechnical staff.
7. A completed environmental assessment.
B. Public hearing. Notice shall be given pursuant to Section
17.80. 080 not less than fifteen days before the date set for the
city council hearing. Notwithstanding any provision of Section
17 .80. 080.D. 1 of this Code to the contrary, written notice of the
hearing shall be provided to persons shown on the last equalized
assessment roll as owning real property within 500 feet of the
subject property.
C. Findings. Upon approval of a landslide moratorium
exclusion, the city council shall find as follows:
I/
1. The exclusion is consistent with the general plan and
coastal plan of the city.
Exhibit "A," Ordinance No. 276
page 8 of 9
2 . The exclusion promotes the health, safety and welfare
of the community.
3 . The exclusion shall not aggravate any existing
geologic conditions in the area.
D. Conditions upon issuance of approval. In granting any
exclusion under this chapter, the city council may impose such
conditions as may be reasonably necessary to preserve the intent of
the goals and policies of the general plan.
15.20.090 Fees. Any application for any approval pursuant to
this chapter shall be accompanied by a filing fee in an amount
established by the city council.
15.20. 100 Appeals. Any interested person may appeal any
decision of the planning commission or director of environmental
services pursuant to this chapter pursuant to Chapter 17.80 of this
Code.
Exhibit "A," Ordinance No. 276
page 9 of 9
ORD. NO. 276
L RANCHO PALOS VERDES
STATE *OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES )
The undersigned, being first duly sworn, deposes and
says:
That at all times herein mentioned, she was and now is
the appointed City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes;
That on JANUARY 14, 1992 , she caused to be
posted the following document entitled:
ADOPTING AN AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 15. 20 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE.
a copy of which is attached hereto, in the following
locations:
City Hall Los Angeles County Fire Station
30940 Hawthorne Blvd. Miraleste Station
Rancho Palos Verdes 4000 Miraleste Plaza
Rancho Palos Verdes
U. S. Post Office
28649 S. Western Ave. Ladera Linda Community Center
Rancho Palos Verdes 32201 Forrestal Drive
Rancho Palos Verdes
Hesse Park
29301 Hawthorne Blvd. Rancho Palos Verdes Park
Rancho Palos Verdes 30359_ Hawthorne Blvd. ,
Rancho Palos Verdes.
I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is a
true and correct affidavit of posting.
/1//9
Eit/4>_, -0
CITY CLERK
l
30940 HAWTHORNE BOULEVARD ! RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA 90274-5391 l (213)377-0360