CC MINS 19980831 ADJ JNTMINUTES
JOINT MEETING
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
PLANNING COMMISSION
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 31, 1998
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 P.M. by Mayor Ferraro in the Fireside Room at
Fred Hesse Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard.
The following applicants were interviewed by the City Council for a vacancy on the
View Restoration Commission:
Joe Chustz
Tobi H. Cordova
Margaret J. Kim
Richard Waller
Maria Robertson
The meeting was reconvened at 7:02 P.M. in the Multipurpose Room at Hesse Park for
a joint meeting with the Planning Commission. After the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call
was answered as follows
Citv Council:
PRESENT: Byrd, McTaggart, Hollingsworth, and Mayor Ferraro
ABSENT: Lyon
Plannina Commission:
PRESENT: Alberio, Cartwright, Lyon, Slayden, Vannorsdall, and Chair Clark
ABSENT: Paris
Also present were City Manager Les Evans; Assistant City Manager Carolynn Petru;
City Attorney Carol Lynch; Director of Planning, Building & Code Enforcement Joel
Rojas; Director of Administrative Services /City Clerk Jo Purcell; and, Recording
Secretary Jackie Drasco.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council and Commission consensus was to approve the agenda as presented.
Director Rojas presented the staff report of August 31,1998 and the recommendation to
discuss items as desired and provide appropriate direction to staff.
Lot coverage issues, and particularly what improvements are to be included in lot
coverage calculations (1203)
The elements of lot coverage were discussed, including the actual structure,
landscape, and hardscape. It was suggested that hardscape was not well defined in
the Code and that possibly, as some cities do, pools could be considered at 50% for lot
coverage purposes. Other topics were motor courts; roof decks; the number of
garages; and, the possibility of hiding these structures from the street view.
It was recognized that the presentation at a Planning Commission meeting might be
different than one given at a City Council meeting and that it would be helpful to have a
Planning Commissioner present for appeals.
In the case of large developments, it was the consensus that variances on individual
lots were preferable to making overall changes.
Use of conditions of approval versus Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions
(CC&R's) to address property maintenance issues and use restrictions (1203)
Discussion of CC &R enforcement clarified that the City cannot enforce them. It was
noted that CC &R's do not supersede the City Code and that the more restrictive
regulation would take precedence: in the event of ambiguity, the City Code would
prevail.
Changes to prior approved projects, and clarifications on recent Planning
Commission actions recently overruled by the City Council (1203)
A general discussion took place regarding the Council's expectations of the
Commission and in particular about the Planning Commission's concern about
Council's overturning their decisions. It was the Council's consensus that the
Commission, as an independent body, should follow policy; however, they should
realize that sometimes the Council may disagree with their decisions. It was felt that
from time to time such disagreement was inevitable, considering the scope of matters
reviewed by both bodies. Nonetheless, if the Commission identified p roblem areas with
the Code, they should ask for Council review.
It was the consensus that to improve communication between the City Council and the
Planning Commission that an item be added to each Planning Commission agenda as
the first item of business to announce any Council policies or any other informatioin or
City Council /Planning Commission Minutes
August 31, 1998
Page 2
direction from the previous Council meeting.
It was acknowledged that the Council sometimes receives a slightly different
presentation on matters but that this circumstances could be remedied by having a
commissioner present the majority view of the Commission and to answer any
questions that may arise.
Height Variations, and the City Council's outlook on the associated issues of
neighborhood compatibility and design of additions (1203)
The discussion focused on height variations and neighborhood compatibility as they
related to antenna structures. It was noted that the FCC protects the rights of antenna
owners and was not interested in neighborhood compatibility. It was the consensus,
however, that the interests of both antenna owners and their neighbors must be
balanced.
Discussion of directing the Planning Commission to review the General Plan and
the Coastal Specific Plan for areas that require amendments and updating (1203)
Council consensus was that there was no budget for an amendment and that reprinting
would be very expensive. It was agreed to make amendments to the General Plan and
the Coastal Specific Plan only after major projects are completed.
City Attorney Lynch opined that there was no requirement to change the whole plan but
there was an obligation to have information current enough to reflect the City's outlook.
Consideration of increasing the Planning Commission terms of office to four
years (11203)
The Commission inquired about the term of office for commissioners and whether
consideration should be given to a four -year term.
Council consensus was to retain the present two -year term because they felt it was
important to have input from new members and that commissioners who wished to
remain were generally reappointed.
Planning Commissioners attendance at meetings and other events when
Councilmembers are unable to attend (non - voting role) (1203)
The Commissioners offered to represent the Council when they could not attend,
recognizing that they would be considered non - voting participants. The Council felt
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August 31, 1998
Page 3
that a non - voting representative would serve little purpose for such groups as SLAG,
Contract Cities, and League of California Cities because they require that participants
be elected officials and be authorized to vote on their city's behalf.
Attendance of Planning Commissioner at City Council meetings (1203)
It was already agreed that this would be a good idea. It was the consensus that it
would be constructive to have joint meetings of the Council and Planning Commission
maybe once or twice a year, but not necessarily instigated by specific situations.
ADJOURNMENT
Adjourned at 9:05 P.M. on motion of Mayor Ferraro.
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
City Council /Planning Commission Minutes
August 31, 1998
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