CC RES 2005-087RESOLUTION NO. 2005-87
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES APPROVING, WITH CONDITIONS, A SITE PLAN REVIEW (CASE NO.
ZON2005- 00355), FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 491/4 ROCKINGHORSE.
WHEREAS, on May 25, 2004, the Planning Commission approved a Grading
Permit (Case No. ZON2003- 00088) to allow the construction of a 4,507 square foot
single - family residence and 622 cubic yards of grading. The applicant subsequently
appealed the project to contest some of the conditions of approval imposed by the
Planning Commission. This appeal was held in abeyance by the City Council, at the
applicant's request. On March 17, 2005, the applicant withdrew his appeal, without
having the City Council act on the appeal of the project. As such, the Planning
Commission's decision became final on March 17, 2005; and,
WHEREAS, on June 14, 2005, the Planning Commission approved an after -the-
fact revision to the Grading Permit (Case No. ZON2005- 00160), thus revising the
location of the driveway to take access across a portion of the vacant parcel located
immediately to the west of the project site (APN 7556 - 011 -031), which is within the OH
Zone. Additionally, the Planning Commission approved an increase of the grading
quantity from 622 cubic yards to 821 cubic yards (see P.C. Resolution No. 2005 -27);
and,
WHEREAS, on July 7, 2005, in accordance with the conditions of approval for
the revision to the Grading Permit, the applicant submitted a Site Plan Review (Case
No. ZON2005- 00355), requesting to construct an access driveway through the Open
Space (OH) zone; and,
WHEREAS, the Height Variation application was deemed complete by staff on
July 12, 2005; and,
WHEREAS, on August 2, 2005, pursuant to the requirements of the Rancho
Palos Verdes Development Code, the City Council considered the Site Plan Review at a
regular City Council meeting, at which time all interested parties were given an
opportunity to be heard and present evidence; 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), Staff found no evidence that the Site Plan Review would
have a significant effect on the environment and, therefore, the proposed project has
been found to be categorically exempt under Class 3 (Section 15303); and,
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: That the approved project includes the construction of an access
driveway through the Open Space Hazard Zone.
Section 2: The driveway through the Open Space Hazard zone is permitted, in
accordance with Municipal Code Section 17.32.050, inasmuch as there is no other
practical access to the residence; the access will not alter the character of the premises
in respect to the permitted or conditionally permitted uses in the Open Space Hazard
district because the addition of the driveway will not alter the allowable uses that can be
made of the land; based on the geology report that has been reviewed and approved by
the City Geologist, the access will not further increase hazardous conditions or alter the
nature of the permitted uses, and based on the approved biology report, the access will
not eliminate any coastal sage scrub habitat that is occupied by the threatened
California Gnatcatcher.
Section 3: Approval of the Site Plan is warranted, since the uses and
developments are not permanent (with the exception of access, which is allowed by
Section 17.32.050 of the Municipal Code), and the access road is clearly accessory and
subordinate to the primary residential use of the land, and the driveway will not alter the
nature of the open space land, and is limited to those facilities that can be constructed
on the property and are necessary for utilization of the open space land. Inasmuch as,
the driveway will provide access to a new single - family residence, it is accessory and
subordinate to the residence and will facilitate access to the residence. In addition, the
Planning Commission has conditioned the Grading Permit to screen the driveway so
that it will not alter the nature of the open space.
Section 4: The Site Plan Review is warranted since the project complies with
the provisions of Chapter 17.70 of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code.
Chapter 17.70 of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code allows the approval of a
Site Plan Review, provided all requirements of Title 17 of the Municipal Code are
satisfied. Based on a review of the requirements of Title 17, it is found that the project
can be constructed without the need for the approval of a Variance or Minor Exception
Permit. Accordingly, it is appropriate for that finding to be made.
Section 5: The time within which the judicial review of the decision reflected in
this Resolution, if available, must be sought is governed by Section 1094.6 of the
California Code of Civil Procedure and other applicable short periods of limitation.
Section 6: For the foregoing reasons and based on the information and
findings included in the Staff Report, Minutes and other records of proceedings (dated
August 2, 2005), City Council of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes hereby approves the
Site Plan Review to allow for the construction of a driveway through the Open Space
Hazard zone (Case No. ZON2005- 00355); subject to the conditions contained in Exhibit
W, attached hereto and made a part hereof, which are necessary to protect the public
health, safety and welfare in the area.
Resolution No. 2005 -87
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PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of August 2005.
Attest:
r
State of ,alifornia )
County of Los Angeles )ss
City of Rancho Palos Verdes )
I, Carolynn Petru, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, hereby certify that the
above Resolution No. 2005 -87 was duly and regularly passed and adopted by the said
City Council at a regular meeting thereof held on August 2, 2005.
Resolution No. 2005 -87
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Resolution No. 2005 -87 Exhibit "A"
Conditions of Approval
Site Plan Review (Case No. ZON2005- 00355)
1. The approval of a Site Plan Review is to allow for the construction of a 15' -wide
and 480' -long driveway through the Open Space Hazard (OH) Zone. More
specifically, this approval allows an access driveway from Rockinghorse Road
Spur, across a vacant parcel (APN 7556- 011 -031, no addressed assigned), to
provide vehicular access to an approved 4,507 square foot single - family
residence on the adjacent parcel (APN 7556- 011 -033, 49/4 Rockinghorse).
2. Unless modified hereafter, all conditions of approval set forth in P.C. Resolution
No. 2004 -23 and P.C. Resolution No. 2005 -27, shall be complied with at all
times.
I. Approval of this Site Plan Review 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.
4. The applicant/property owner(s) 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.
5. The approval shall become null and void after one (1) year from the date of this
approval unless the approved plans are submitted to the Building and Safety
Division to initiate the "plan check" review process, pursuant to Section
17.86.070 of the City's Development Code. This approval shall become null and
void if. after initiating the "plan check" review process, or receiving a building
permit to begin construction, said "plan check" or permit is allowed to expire or is
withdrawn by the applicant.
6. The Director of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement is authorized to make
minor modifications to the approved preliminary plans or any of the conditions if
such modifications shall achieve substantially the same results as would strict
compliance with said plans and conditions.
7. Prior to the issuance of a building permit, the applicant shall record an
ingress /egress easement over the portions of the adjacent property (APN 7556 -
011 -031), which the driveway traverses. Additionally, the easement shall include
provisions for maintenance of the driveway. Prior to recording the easement,
the applicant shall submit a signed copy of the easement to the city for
review and approval by the City Attorney and City Engineer, which shall
include the establishment of a Trust Deposit to pay for the City Attorney's
and City Engineer's review of the easement agreement. The applicant shall
demonstrate to the satisfaction of the City Engineer and City Attorney that
the easement is sufficient to guarantee legal access at all times and,
among other things, is not subject to termination so long as it is necessary
for access to 49 1/4 Rockinghorse (APN 7556 - 011 -033).