CC MINS 19931103M I N U T E S
REGULAR MEETING
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COONCIL
NOVEMBER 3, 1993
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Mayor Brooks at the
Hesse Park Community Center, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard. Following
the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, roll call was answered as
follows:
PRESENT: KUYKENDALL, McTAGGART, BACHARACH, AND MAYOR BROOKS
ABSENT: NONE
Also present were City Manager Paul Bussey, Assistant City Manager
Pamela Antil, Planning Director Bret Bernard, Public Works Director
Trent Pulliam, Finance Director Brent Mattingly, City Clerk Jo
Purcell and City Attorney Carol Lynch.,
CEREMONIAL EVENT: CITIZEN OF THE MONTH - DAVID FREEMAN (304)
Mayor Brooks presented a Certificate of Recognition to David
Freeman, producer of the Rancho Palos Verdes Anniversary video in
appreciation of his artistic contribution in the production of that
video.
Mayor Brooks then introduced Councilmembers -elect Lee Byrd and
Marilyn Lyon.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Councilman Kuykendall moved, seconded by
Councilwoman Bacharach to approve the agenda as presented. Motion
carried.
APPROVAL .OF CONSENT CALENDAR: Lois Larue, 3136 Barkentine Rd.,
spoke to several items on the Consent Calendar, to wit: the October
5 minutes, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Goals; and, stated her
opposition to payment of certain items on the Register of Demands,
Councilman Kuykendall moved, seconded by Councilwoman Bacharach to
approve the Consent Calendar as follows.
WAIVER OF FULL READING
ADOPTED A MOTION TO WAIVE FULL READING OF ALL ORDINANCES AND
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT THE MEETING WITH CONSENT TO THE WAIVER OF
READING DEEMED TO BE GIVEN BY ALL COUNCILMEMBERS AFTER THE READING
OF THE TITLE.
MINUTES
APPROVED THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 5, 1993.
MIRALESTE & RIDGECREST RECREATION & PARK DISTRICTS - APPOINTMENT OF
BOARD MEMBERS ( 3 01 X 12 0 0 )
(1) APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF CHERYL CAUGHLIN AND DONALD REEVES
TO THE MIRALESTE RECREATION & PARK DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR
A TERM EACH OF FOUR YEARS. (2) APPROVED THE APPOINTMENT OF VICTOR
HANSEN, DOLORES PITTLEKOW AND GWYNNE SHAW TO THE RIDGECREST
RECREATION & PARK DISTRICT FOR A TERM EACH OF FOUR YEARS. (3)
DIRECTED THE CITY CLERK TO NOTIFY THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CLERK OF
THE COUNCIL'S ACTION.
DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (DBE) GOALS (601 X 1204)
(1) APPROVED AND ADOPTED THE FISCAL YEAR 1993 -94 GOALS OF 13% FOR
DBE PARTICIPATION IN FEDERALLY FUNDED PROJECTS. (2) DIRECTED THE
CITY CLERK TO ADVERTISE AND POST THESE GOALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENTS.
RESOL. NOS. 93-98 & 93-99 - PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT REORGANIZATION
(1101 X 1202 X 1204)
(1) ADOPTED RESOL. NO. 93 -98 AMENDING RESOL. NO. 92 -95 ADOPTING
CERTAIN SALARY RANGES FOR FULL TIME EMPLOYEES TO INCLUDE A SALARY
RANGE FOR THE RECENTLY CREATED POSITION OF MAINTENANCE
SUPERINTENDENT. (2) ADOPTED RESOL. NO. 93 -99 AMENDING RESOLUTION
NO. 93 -44, THE BUDGET APPROPRIATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 1993 -94, FOR A
BUDGET ADJUSTMENT TO THE GENERAL AND GAS TAX FUNDS.
RESOL. NO. 93 -100 - REGISTER OF DEMANDS
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 93 -100.
The motion to approve the consent calendar carried on the following
roll call vote:
AYES: KUYKENDALL,
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
McTAGGART, BACHARACH & MAYOR BROOKS
RECYCLE DRAWING: Reporter Ken Huthmaker from the Palos Verdes
Peninsula News drew cards from the recycle drum. The people whose
cards were drawn will be eligible for a year's worth of free trash
pick -up service.
PUBLIC HEARING:
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
NOVEMBER 3, 1993
PAGE 2
RESOL . NO. 93-101 - TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. 23548 - 26559 SILVER
SPUR ROAD (1203 X 1410)
MAYOR BROOKS OPENED THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER AND THE CITY
CLERK REPORTED THAT NOTICE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING HAD BEEN DULY
PUBLISHED.
Associate Planner Terry Silverman presented the staff memorandum of
November 3 and the recommendation to deny the appeal, thereby
upholding the Planning Commission's denial of Tentative Parcel Map
No. 23548 for the subdivision of a 37,132 square foot parcel into
two single family residential lots on property located at 26559
Silver Spur Road.
In summarizing her staff report, Ms. Silverman stated that in
October of last year the Planning Commission denied without
prejudice the request to subdivide a lot in the RS -5 zoning
district into two single family residential parcels. At that time,
the Planning Commission suggested that any resubmittal of the
application be accompanied with plans demonstrating that the new
parcel would be physically suitable for development. A revised
application was submitted and included conceptual plans for
construction of a 2,100 square foot, split level residence on the
proposed Parcel 2. After reviewing the revised application and
conceptual plans, the Planning Commission found that the proposed
subdivision was not consistent with the General Plan, that the
improvements would not be consistent with the General Plan and that
the proposed Parcel 2 was not physically suitable for development.
Continuing with her report, Ms. Silverman said that the applicant
had offered alternative methods to address concerns of the Planning
Commission: a restrictive "view easement" to limit the height of
structures and protect views; revised plans showing approximately
1,200 square feet of outdoor living area; and, information
rebutting the Commission's findings regarding grading in extreme
slopes. While these alternatives addressed these concerns, the
City had no guarantee that these conceptual plans are those that
would be constructed by future developers of the property.
Furthermore, the conditions that would be imposed on the property
to mitigate any impacts would significantly burden and limit the
development of the property in such a manner that it would be
unlikely that future development could occur within the parameters
established.
Concluding her presentation, Ms. Silverman reported that the
applicant had directly submitted additional information to the
Council which had not yet been reviewed by staff. If that
information presented any concern to the Council, staff would then
recommend that the matter be continued to allow sufficient time for
review and response.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
NOVEMBER 3, 1993
PAGE 3
Appellant and property owner Luke Conovaloff, 26559 Silver Spur
Road, told the Council that he and his wife bought the property
several years ago so they could build a new home, they found the
lot had the characteristics to satisfy the City's demands for a lot
split, they appreciated the Planning Commission's input concerning
problems that might be encountered, and that they enlisted the
services of Architect David: Boyd who created a conceptual design
for a 2100 sq . ft. home . He said that their attorney, Bill Finer,
helped with the mechanism for a view easement because presently
they do not have such protection. He said that this lot split
would allow for a new custom home, that with the installation of a
fire hydrant, it would upgrade fire safety in the area. With
regard to grading in the restricted use area, he said this would
involve only a small portion of the driveway, and that while his
consultants created a diagram showing an outside living area, the
zoning for that district had no such standards.
Elaine Conovaloff summarized what she felt to be the important
issues: meeting the criteria of the Development Code, and
performing the studies requested by the Planning Commission, all of
which she felt indicated that the lot was buildable.
Representing the Conovaloffs was their attorney Bill Finer, who
said that in reviewing the criteria it appeared that this property
met all of them. He suggested the use of covenants which would
restrict certain things such as the height of buildings and
landscaping on the proposed Parcel 2. He stated that future
grading could also be restricted and explained how this would
entitle neighbors to object to future grading and potential view
impairment.
Also representing the appellants was Doug McHattie of So. Bay
Engineering, 304 Tejon Place, Palos Verdes Estates, who said that
insofar as the two -year limitation on grading within the restricted
area was concerned, it would take two and one -half years to get the
project approved, and that the restricted use area was created with
construction of the cul --de -sac. It was his opinion that the
grading would take place under and within the house and that none
would occur outside.
Architect David Boyd, 23314 Crenshaw Boulevard, said he had
designed this house to be compatible with the neighborhood. He
then referred to the photographs in the applicant's booklet which
he felt showed that this was a logical project for this street.
Representing Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Dorman, was Attorney Allan Block,
2049 Century Park East, Los Angeles, who stated that this project
was not compatible with the area, and that it should be denied for
more reasons than those cited by the Planning Commission. Mr.
Block then presented a written summary of his opposition to this
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NOVEMBER 3, 1993
PAGE 4
project. (This summary is on file with the City Clerk's Office.)
Speaking in opposition to this project were the following residents
of the neighborhood: Bob Besancency, 26543 Silver Spur Road; Dr.
Allan Sholl, 26535 Silver Spur Road; Fred Collins, 5360 Whitefox
Drive; Jesse Dorman, 26557 Silver Spur; Edward Zack, 5343 Whitefox,
John Logan and Priscilla Logan, 26567 Silver Spur. The concerns of
these residents centered on the following issues: potential view
impairment caused by the new construction, the increase in traffic
hazards resulting from the increased density of the cul -de -sac, the
impairment of light and sun entering into an adjacent home; that
the steepness of the area might present problems in the event of
heavy rains; building on the hillside would disturb the rural
atmosphere on the area, that the representations depicted in the
applicants' pictures were only theoretical and perhaps not
practical, and, the incompatibility of the proposed, two story
house with the majority of one story homes on Whitefox.
Councilman McTaggart moved, seconded by Councilwoman Bacharach to
close the public hearing. Motion carried.
Council discussion then focused on the following: concern that
building on this lot required so many caveats to make it buildable
and the negative results experienced in doing this elsewhere in the
City; the fact that when people buy property in an area that they
need to assess the surrounding area; and, that with the proposed
measures the Council would be creating an entitlement where one did
not previously exist.
Apropos of the question of conflict of interest on the part of a
Planning Commissioner referred to in the Planning Commission
minutes of October 13, 1992, it was the consensus that no conflict
of interest existed, and that in the future a commissioner should
contact the city attorney for advice. Based upon that advice, a
Commissioner could then make their own decision about the conflict.
Returning to the land use issue, the opinion was expressed that
since only three houses were built on this lot originally, that the
developer probably determined that a fourth lot was not possible.
Conceivably, with present standards and technology, four new homes
could have been built but that the Council was now limited to the
present conditions. Another concern expressed was the placement of
the fire hydrant and it was the consensus that Public Works should
look at what could be done at this location.
As a means of accommodating the applicants' project, a possible
alternative proffered was whether there could be a restriction
placed on the size of the home proposed for the site. To allow
testimony on this proposal, Mayor Brooks moved to reopen the public
hearing. Motion died for lack of a second.
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NOVEMBER 31 1993
PAGE 5
It was the consensus that Council could not make the findings
necessary to make this site a buildable lot.
Councilman Kuykendall moved, seconded by Councilwoman Bacharach to
adopt the staff recommendation. The motion carried on the
following roll call vote:
AYES: KUYKENDALL, McTAGGART, & BACHARACH
NOES: MAYOR BROOKS
ORD NO o 294 - AUTOMOTIVE OVERLAY DISTRICT & RESOL . NO . 93-102 i 12 0 3
X 701 X 1804 j
Speaking in favor of this overlay district was Mr. William Myers,
who said that he is in the process of purchasing the Mobil station
at Hawthorne and Granvia Altamira. He questioned the 50 decibel
limit proposed at the last meeting and said that this would be
equal to the conversation level of the meeting. He contended that
a less stringent standard would be more realistic for the day to
day operation of that business.
Kenneth Moore, 6344 Villa Rosa, said he applauded the Council's
attempt to put a noise provision in the ordinance. He stated he
felt that a level of 65 decibels would be more realistic and that
it was important how the noise was measured. He said there were
inconsistencies in the ordinance and that the noise issue was not
properly stated.
Councilman McTaggart moved, seconded by Mayor Brooks that the
Planning Commission should study the issue of noise levels from
commercial uses as part of the upcoming comprehensive Development
Code Revisions. The motion carried.
Councilman McTaggart moved, seconded by Mayor Brooks to ADOPT
ORDINANCE NO. 294 OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES CREATING AN
AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE OVERLAY CONTROL DISTRICT; THEREBY AMENDING THE
RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE. The motion carried on the
following roll call vote:
AYES: KUYKENDALL, McTAGGART, BACHARACH & MAYOR BROOKS
NOES: NONE
Councilman McTaggart moved, seconded by Councilman Kuykendall to
ADOPT RESOL. NO, 93 -102 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
PALOS VERDES APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 21 TO ALLOW FOR
THE ADDITION OF AN AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE OVERLAY CONTROL DISTRICT TO
THE CITY'S GENERAL PLAN. Motion carried.
Councilman McTaggart moved, seconded by Mayor Brooks that because
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
NOVEMBER 3, 1993
PAGE 6
air tools and air compressors inappropriately located could be
annoying to nearby residents, that the Planning Commission consider
an amendment dealing with the matter of mechanical equipment for
automotive service overlay control districts. Motion carried.
Recess: At 8:35 P.M. the Mayor declared a recess. The meeting
reconvened at 8:54 P.M.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS: Lois Larue , 3136 Barkent ine Road, spoke relative
to election material distributed by a Council candidate.
RESOL. NO. 93 -103 BUDGET ADJUSTMENT MUNICIPAL AREA EXPRESS
( 602 x 1204 x 1505 )
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR PULLIAM PRESENTED THE STAFF MEMORANDUM OF
NOVEMBER 3RD AND THE RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING
A BUDGET ADJUSTMENT TO THE FY 1993 -94 PROPOSITION A FUND.
A brief Council discussion ensued relative to the reduced fares on
MAX. It was the consensus that a public service announcement and
a press release should be issued about this reduced fare.
Councilman Kuykendall moved, seconded by Councilwoman Bacharach to
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 93 -103 AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 93 -44, THE
BUDGET APPROPRIATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 1993 -94, FOR A BUDGET
ADJUSTMENT TO THE PROPOSITION "A" FUND. Motion carried.
PALOS VERDES PENINSULA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - ELECTION OF THE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS ( 3 0 5 X 1101 )
CITY CLERK PURCELL PRESENTED THE STAFF MEMORANDUM OF NOVEMBER 3RD
AND THE RECOMMENDATION AS FOLLOWS: (1) EACH MEMBER OF COUNCIL VOTE
FOR THEIR CHOICE OF NOMINEES; OR, (2) AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO VOTE
ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.
Councilman Kuykendall moved, seconded by Councilman McTaggart to
authorize the Mayor to vote on behalf of the City. Motion carried.
It was the consensus that staff should prepare a policy authorizing
the mayor to vote on behalf of the City when similar voting
requirements are necessary.
STATUS OF DIRECTIVES: Zip Code Change - Mayor Brooks reported that
she had been in touch with the post office and has been assured
that changing the City's Zip Code is tied in with the post office
making certain data conversion and that the change will take place
by mid-1994. She said she had been assured that the City will have
one zip code number.
Daladier Undergrounding - Staff reported that there will be
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
NOVEMBER 3, 1993
PAGE 7
meeting within the next week on this matter and that a report would
be presented to Council.
Adjournment: At 9:16 Councilwoman Bacharach moved to adjourn the
meeting.
i
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY
113 3ccm
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
NOVEMBER 3. 1993
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