CC MINS 19910418 ADJM I N U T E S
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 18, 1991
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Mayor
Hinchliffe, notice having been given with affidavit thereto
on file.
PRESENT: Bacharach, McTaggart, Ryan, Hughes, and Mayor
Hinchliffe.
Also present were City Manager Paul D. Bussey and City
Attorney Carol Lynch.
The meeting was immediately recessed to a closed session for
discussion of pending litigation.
At 8:05 P.M. the meeting reconvened.
VIEW PRESERVATION COMMITTEE - SUSPENSION OF ACTIVITY (1806)
City Attorney-Lynch read the following motion which was made
by Councilman Hughes and seconded by Councilman Ryan:
"That the view restoration process be suspended while
the Yen v. City of Rancho Palos Verdes case is pending,
so that the City's resources and City Attorney time can
be focused towards defending the View Restoration
Ordinance in the case. The City will not be accepting
new applications but will maintain a list of potential
applicants. As to pending view restoration cases, the
process is being suspended and fees will be refunded.
The City will be sending letters to all individuals with
cases that are or have been in the view restoration
process advising them of the status of the case."
The motion carried 4 to 1 with Mayor Hinchliffe dissenting.
City Attorney Lynch emphasized that this motion was adopted
by the City without in any way agreeing with the claims that
have been made. The case challenges the validity of the
ordinance, and if an appeal is filed the process will
probably take at least a year and a half.
Councilman McTaggart commented that the view restoration
ordinance has succeeded in bringing some neighbors together
to discuss and resolve their problems and it is hoped this
process will continue.
In reply to a query from applicant Mr. Soterios Menzelos
(View Restoration Permit No. 20) Attorney Lynch stated that
all case filed will be maintained and simply suspended where
they are now. Any decisions made by the View Restoration
Committee are still effective; however, at this time they
will not be enforced. Director of Environmental Services
Benard explained that in the case of permit No. 20, the
Committee made its decision and the VRC Resolution would have
been before the Committee for adoption at this meeting. This
process will stay where it is, and when the suspension is
lifted the motion will come back to the Committee. City
Manager Bussey added that the staff will communicate with
applicants on the specifics of each case, and that some
details still need to be worked out.
VRC Committee Member Warren Sweetnam asked if the provisions
of the Permit Streamlining Act would also be suspended with
regard to time limits on applications. City Attorney Lynch
replied in the affirmative and added that it is still the
opinion of the City Attorney's Office that the ordinance is
lawful and valid, and they intend to defend it fully in the
court system.
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:18 P.M. the Council meeting adjourned on motio of
Councilman Hughes and carried.
ATTEST:
T
CITY CLERK
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