CC MINS 20081122 ADJ MINUTES
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 22, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 1:35 P.M. by Mayor Stern at St. John Fisher Church,
located at 5448 Crest Road, Rancho Palos Verdes, notice having been given with
affidavit thereto on file.
City Council roll call was answered as follows:
PRESENT: Clark, Long, Wolowicz, and Mayor Stern
ABSENT: Gardiner (absent/excused)
Also present were Carolynn Lehr, City Manager; Carol Lynch, City Attorney; Joel Rojas,
Director of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement; and Leza Mikhail, Associate
Planner.
Others present: Mark Easton, spokesperson for the Appellant; Shelly Hyndman,
architect for St. John Fisher Church; Monsignor David Sork, St. John Fisher Church,
and, members of the community.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Stern made a brief announcement regarding the conduct of the meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
REGULAR NEW BUSINESS:
Appeal of the Planning Commission's Conditional Approval of the Proposed St.
John Fisher Master Plan: Conditional Use Permit No. 96 — Revision "D," Grading
Permit, Minor Exception Permit, Sign Permit and Environmental Assessment
(Case No. ZON2007-00492); Project Address: 5448 Crest Road [Continued from
November 18, 2008] (1804)
Associate Planner Mikhail provided introductory remarks and an overview of the topics
to be discussed including the following items: site design; locations of existing and
proposed buildings; the height of the church building ranging from 15 to 60 feet at the
top of the steeple; and, the height of the steeple with the cross at 74 feet. Also
discussed were the following topics: the proposed sanctuary to be located where the
existing parking lot is located; and, the on site parking to be reconfigured along the
south portion of the lot.
Associate Planner Mikhail explained that the existing parking consists of 359 parking
spaces: 227 spaces are available at all times along the south side of the property, and
an additional 132 spaces of the are currently partitioned off as a school playground
when school is in session on Mondays through Fridays. She reported that with the
redesign of the project site, there will be 331 parking spaces available at all times.
Mikhail stated that the existing rectory would be demolished and the
Associate Planner a g ry
currently unused convent would be converted to a rectory. She noted the proposed
location for the Administration Building between the existing school and the proposed
sanctuary, noting that the majority of the existing Administration Building would remain
with additional square footage being added at the perimeters to allow for expansion.
The group present toured the school and courtyard areas where Associate Planner
Mikhail explained the plan to convert the existing grass and tree area (with tree
removal) to a durable grass turf area. The group toured the school area near Barrett
Hall and explained that these remaining facilities would be remaining and are not
proposed to be demolished with minor remodeling of the classrooms north of Barrett
Hall. Also toured was the area south of Barrett Hall along the existing parking lane,
where Associate Planner Mikhail explained that this would be converted to playground
area, and an overflow parking when school is not in session. The tour included the area
near the Crest Road driveway where those present viewed the stairs connecting the St.
John Fisher Church site to the Mary and Joseph Retreat Center, noting that the stairway
would be relocated next to the existing convert which will be the proposed rectory.
Associate Planner Mikhail pointed out the existing Youth Building and explained it would
be demolished and replaced with new outdoor basketball courts and parking area.
The group exited the site down the driveway onto Crest Road and walked westward td
g p Y
view the proposed location of the required fire access stairs along the hillside corner of
Crest Road and Crenshaw Boulevard. Associate Planner Mikhail pointed out the
location of the stairs and ADA ramp at the corner, noting access and egress structures
required to not vary materially from the minimum requirements as specified by law. The
group crossed Crenshaw Boulevard to view the existing mature trees to remain on the
site and the location of the proposed landscaping at the corner.
Mark Easton, spokesperson for the Appellant, inquired how tall the proposed sycamore
trees would grow.
Shelly Hyndman, architect for St. John Fisher Church, stated that she would have to
consult with the landscaping consultant to accurately respond to the question.
The group then toured the Island View neighborhood area to view the proposed height
and location of the steeple with the aid of the cherry picker from the corner of Santa
Barbara Drive and San Clemente Drive and other sites in the neighborhood, including
Mr. Long's and Mr. Blond's properties. The group stood at the corner of Valley View
Road and Crenshaw Boulevard to view the site, noting the street height to be 30-40 feet
below the St. John Fisher property, and returned to the St. John Fisher property.
City Council Minutes
November 22, 2098
Page 2 of 3
Ken Dyda, and John McTaggart, made brief remarks in support of the proposed St.
John Fisher Church expansion project.
Adjournment:
At 4:00 P.M., Mayor Stern adjourned the meeting to Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at
6:00 P.M. at Fred Hesse Community Park/Fireside Room for the City Council to conduct
interviews of applicants for four of the City's Advisory Boards.
ayor
Attest:
6Ae4L-
i,
City Clerk
W:\City Council Minutes\2008\20081122 MINS ADJD MTG SJF.doc
City Council Minutes
November 22, 2008
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