CC MINS 19980421 ADJMINUTES
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 21, 1998
The meeting was called to order at 5:38 PM by Mayor Ferraro at the Fred Hesse
Community Park, Fireside Room, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. Roll call was
answered as follows:
PRESENT: Hollingsworth, Lyon, McTaggart, Mayor Ferraro
ABSENT: Byrd
Also present were City Manager Paul Bussey; Assistant City Manager Carolynn Petru;
City Attorney Carol Lynch; Acting Director of Planning, Building & Code Enforcement
Joel Rojas; Director of Administrative Services /City Clerk Jo Purcell; Project
Coordinator Trayci Nelson; and, Recording Secretary Jackie Drasco.
PUBLIC HEARING:
Appeal to View Restoration Permit No. 42. Appellants: Mr. & Mrs. Kean Hamilton,
et al. Foliage Owners: Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Yang, et al (1203 X 1806)
Ms. Nelson presented the staff report of April 21, 1998 and the recommendation to
adopt the proposed resolution affirming the decision of the View Restoration
Commission and approving View Restoration Permit No. 42 upon finding that all
applicable findings have been correctly made and all provisos of section
17.02.040(c)(2) have been complied with.
Ms. Nelson explained the history and complexity of this application and pointed out and
corrected some typographical errors in the staff report and she discussed the
compromise offered by Mr. Yang.
Daniel Yang, 3511 Bendigo Drive, described his frustration and lack of faith in the
process and stressed that his goal was to maintain privacy and summarized his
position on what trees should be removed and /or laced as illustrated on the chart which
he had prepared. He further explained that the degree of trimming would, in some
cases, destroy the trees.
The Council suggested that these particular trees might be candidates for replacement
rather than trimming.
Mr. Yang was concerned that the replacement trees would be very small and asked
why the applicant was required to present only one estimate for tree trimming.
Staff clarified that the replacement trees had to be at least a 15- gallon size and
explained that the new guidelines reduced the requirement for three estimates to one
because of the expense involved with obtaining estimates and added that the applicant
could provide estimates if so desired.
Mr. Yang countered that he had received five bids at no cost.
George Boss, 3519 Bendigo Drive, explained that he had missed previous hearings
because of back surgery and did not want his absence to be construed as lack of
interest. He reported that he had trimmed his trees in the past and did not wish to be
penalized for being a good neighbor in the past. Mr. Boss urged the Council to uphold
the decision of the View Restoration
Thomas McFadden, 30731 Ganado Drive stated that the View Restoration Commission
had studied this very complex situation very carefully for months and he believed that
its decision should remain intact. He felt to do otherwise would undercut the
Commission's authority and that a compromise would be contrary to the Municipal
Code.
Monica McFadden, 30731 Ganado Drive, believed that the View Restoration
Commission had performed a thorough investigation, including visiting each property,
and explained that privacy had been considered. She concluded by urging the Council
to uphold the decision of the Commission which would restore her 1993 view.
Kean Hamilton, 30747 Ganado Drive, informed the Council that he had lived in his
home since 1967 and presented photographs of the view existing at that time. He
described what he called futile meetings with Mr. Yang and Mr. Boss, expressed his
agreement with the View Restoration Commission, and stated that he believed all
aspects of the situation had been considered, including privacy and foliage
replacement.
Felix Krasovec, 30741 Ganado Drive, presented one year old photographs showing his
view and stated that the view has already been decreased since the photos were taken.
He explained that these were intended to be view homes, built at an offset to take
advantage of the views. He indicated that the view plane was not flat as shown in Mr.
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Adjourned Mtg. April 21, 1998
Page 2
Yang's diagram, and that there was room for trees to grow on certain areas of the Yang
property which would not affect his view. Mr. Krasovec said at the present time there
were so many trees that it created a forest and they could be trimmed and replaced so
that he could restore his view and his neighbors could have their privacy.
Kathy Snell, city resident, questioned the authority of the Council and described a
situation in which the City Council had authorized the planting of trees which have been
eroding her view.
Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine Road, announced that she had received a phone call from
a concerned citizen who believed the View Permit appeal hearings should be televised.
Speaking in rebuttal, Mr. Yang disagreed that trees were plentiful only on his property.
He believed that only very small trees would be offered as replacements and that his
rights were not being protected.
Mr. Boss remarked that the very tall pine trees in question would have to be cut in half
to comply and that this was not acceptable. He was agreeable to replacement trees
that he would not have to trim every couple of years.
Mr. Hamilton agreed that views could be enhanced and that there could still be privacy.
Mr. Yang explained his diagram again, and agreed that the properties were at different
levels.
Mr. Krasovec described that he called a "picket fence" effect, meaning that the
residence looking at the trees from a slanted angle had more view obstruction and said
that he did not believe there was a basis for an appeal.
In response to Council's inquiry, Staff clarified that the new guidelines stressed
replacement and that this case had been begun before those guidelines were in place
but that certainly the foliage owner always had that option.
Council discussion focused on the fact that the tract was apparently intended to be
comprised of view homes and that the trees offered values to the residences also.
Replacement was seen as good compromise.
Mr. Yang indicated that he had submitted a compromise and would be willing to be
more flexible if an agreement could be reached at this meeting.
The Council believed that more study was needed and Staff agreed to consult an
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Adjourned Mtg. April 21, 1998
Page 3
arborist for an opinion as to replacement trees.
Mr. Yang said that, in that case, he would withdraw his compromise offer.
The Council understood but indicated that they would still like to use the information he
provided in his compromise offer as reference.
By consensus, the Council continued the item to May 19 to be heard right after the
Consent Calendar and asked Staff to provide the staff report a full week before that
date in order to provide ample time for all parties to study the facts carefully.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 7:05 P.M. the hearing was adjourned on motion of Mayor Ferraro.
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK
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City Council Minutes
Adjourned Mtg. April 21, 1998
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