CC MINS 19880920M I N U T E S
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 20, 1988
The meeting was called to order at 7:38 P.M. by Mayor Robert
E. Ryan at Hesse Park Community Center, 29381 Hawthorne Blvd.
After the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, roll call was
answered as follows:
PRESENT: McTAGGART., HUGHES, HINCHLIFFE AND MAYOR RYAN
ABSENT: BACHARACH
Also present were City Manager Dennis McDuffie, City Attorney
Steve Dorsey, Director of Environmental Services Robert
Benard, Public Works Director George Wentz, City Clerk Jo
Purcell and Finance Director Kevin Smith.
CEREMONIAL MATTER Mayor Ryan presented a
(304) proclamation to Earl Weinstein
in appreciation and recognition
of his contribution to the City and to the community at large
in video taping Peninsula events. In further recognition of
his work, Mr. Weinstein was then presented with a video
camera by Steve Fowler on behalf of Dimension Cable
Television.
WAIVER OF FULL READINGS Councilman Hughes moved,
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS seconded by Councilman
Hinchliffe and carried, to
waive reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions
adopted at this meeting with consent to the waiver of reading
deemed to be given by all councilmembers after reading of the
title, unless specific request was made at that time for the
reading of such ordinance or resolution.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved on
motion of Councilman Hughes,
seconded by Councilman
Hinchliffe and carried.
CONSENT CALENDAR The consent calendar was
amended to remove the
Equestrian Trail Easement to the end of the meeting. The
Consent Calendar as amended as approved as follows on motion
of Councilman Hughes, seconded by Councilman Hinchliffe.
MINUTES Approved the minutes of August
30 and September 6, 1988.
PENINSULA SYMPHONY ASSOC.
REQUEST FOR FUNDS (385)
FEE WAIVER REQUEST -
PENALTY FEES ON HEIGHT
VARIATION NO. 566 (1203)
RESOL. NO. 88 -57
VARIANCE NO. 192 APPEAL
(1804)
Authorized the expenditure of
$608.08.
Approved the request to waive
the fees at 28703 Mt. Lassen.
Adopted Resol. No. 88 -57
APPROVING VARIANCE NO. 192
APPEAL AT 26703 BASSWOOD AVE.
ORDINANCE NO. 236 Adopted Ordinance No. 236
APPROVING ZONE CHANGE APPROVING ZONE CHANGE NO. 15.
NO. 15 (781) (Ordinance was introduced at
8/16/88 meeting.)
ORDINANCE NO. 237 Adopted Ordinance No. 237
APPROVING DEVELOPMENT APPROVING DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
NO. 1. (781) NO. 1. (Ordinance was
introduced at the 8/16/88
meeting.)
ROCKINGHORSE SEWER Adopted Resol. 88 -58 APPROVING
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT THE ENGINEER'S REPORT IN
(901) CONNECTION WITH THE ROCKING -
HORSE SEWER ASSESSMENT DISTRICT
AND APPOINTING A TIME AND PLACE FOR HEARING PROTEST, THEREBY
REPEALING RESOLUTION 88 -56,
RESURFACING PROJECT FOR
VARIOUS STREETS (1484)
the City clerk to file
surety to exonerate the
Director to release the
against the contractor
(1) Accepted completed work on
resurfacing project by Copp
Contracting, Inc. (2) Directed
a Notice of Completion and notify the
bonds. (3) Directed the Finance
retention if no claims are filed
in the allowable time period.
APPROVAL OF COMPLETED (1) Accepted the work as
REPAIRS TO POINT VICENTE completed by Cancino and Sons,
INTERPRETIVE CENTER AND Inc. at a total cost of
PARKING LOT (1281) $175,789.92. (2) Directed the
City Clerk to file a Notice of
Completion and notify the surety to exonerate the contract
bonds 30 days after the notice has been recorded. (3)
Directed the Finance Director to release the retention if no
claims have been filed against the contractor within the
allowable time period.
ADOPTION OF FY 1988 -89 Adopted Fiscal Year 88 -89 goals
DISADVANTAGE BUSINESS of 12% DBE participation of
ENTERPRISE (DBE) (681) federally funded projects. (2)
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Directed the City Clerk to advertise these goals for comments
and post them at City Hall for a period of 30 days.
RESOLUTION NO. 88 -59 Adopted RESOLUTION NO. 88 -59
REGISTER OF DEMANDS ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND
DEMANDS AND SPECIFYING FUNDS
FROM WHICH THE SAME ARE TO BE PAID.
The motion to approve the Consent Calendar carried on the
following roll call vote:
AYES: HUGHES, HINCHLIFFE, McTAGGART AND
MAYOR HUGHES.
NOES: NONE
ABSENT:BACHARACH
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS The Mayor opened up the
(701) public hearing for discussion
of the Southern California
Association of Government Regional Housing Needs Assessment.
The City Clerk reported that notice of the hearing had been
duly published. City Manager McDuffie summarized the
September 20, 1988 staff memorandum and the staff
recommendation that Council adopt the proposed resolution
informing the Southern California Association of Governments
(SCAG) of the City's intention to revise the Regional Housing
Needs Assessment (RHNA) for Rancho Palos Verdes.
A further summary of this matter was presented by
Environmental Services Director Benard who described the
City's housing stock and SCAG's projection of build -out
through the year 1994.
Council discussion then included concerns about the accuracy
of the SCAG projections, the fact that they do not
realistically apply to this region, and that local government
has very little input into the SCAG method of determining
these projections.
RESOLUTION NO. 88 -60 INFORMING THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES INTENTION
To REVISE THE REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT was PRESENTED
by title and ADOPTED on motion of Councilman McTaggart,
seconded by Councilman Hinchliffe and carried.
PUBLIC WORKS PERMIT FEES The Mayor opened up the public
(1204) hearing on this proposal to
adjust the Public Works
Department permit fees. The City Clerk reported that notice
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of the hearing had been duly published. City Manager
McDuffie presented an amended staff recommendation that this
item be continued to November 1, 1988.
Councilman McTaggart so moved, seconded by Councilman Hughes
and carried.
CONTINUED BUSINESS:
NUISANCE ABATEMENT
25'09 COLT ROAD
(1701)
NEW BUSINESS.
HEIGHT VARIATION
NO* 529 (1801)
adopt the proposed resolution
Councilman Hinchliffe moved,
seconded by Councilman Hughes
to continue this matter to
October 4, 1988.
The City Manager presented the
September 20th staff memorandum
and the recommendation to
denying the appeal,
Councilman McTaggart excused himself from participating in
the discussion of this item as a councilmember. The City
Attorney explained that Councilman McTaggart lives
immediately behind the proposed project and although there is
no financial impact resulting to him from this proposed pro-
ject, Mr. McTaggart did want to testify on this item as a
private citizen.
Further clarification of the view issue in this matter was
presented by Associate Planner Carolynn Petru. In responding
to Council inquiry about view impact and the effects of this
project on the privacy of surrounding residents, Ms. Petru
stated that it was staff's opinion that the encroachment was
very minor.
The applicant in this matter, James Hudson, 29010 Maple Park
Drive explained to the Council the current size of his home
and the features of the proposed addition. He stated that
the project was planned to minimize the view obstruction of
his neighbors.
Speaking in opposition to this project were the following
residents.- Marlene and Emile Bouckaert, 29016 Maple Park
Dr.; Beatrice Rasof, 28845 Briarhurst; Emil DePortimo, 28845
Briarhurst; Carolyn Crowder, 28853 Briarhurst; and Councilman
John Co McTaggart, 6916 Purpleridge Drive. These neighbors
expressed opposition to the project based upon their concern
about loss of view, the cumulative impact of this project on
future view loss, and questioned if the project was situated
to minimize its impact upon the surrounding neighbors. The
City Clerk reported that protest letters were also received
from Mr. K.F. Lee, 29010 Maple Park Drive and Thomas Parker,
28903 Briarhurst Drive.
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Rebutting some of the comments made by the opponents, Mr.
Hudson said he felt that there was no view protection for the
Bouckaerts as their view was blocked by a 16 foot structure;
however, Mrs. Rasof has a panoramic view and this project
would only have a minor impact on that view.
The applicant's designer, Josette Auletta, 18340 Falla Ave.,
Torrance, summarized the design process for this addition and
explained how she kept this house in scale with the rest
of the neighborhood.
A lengthy discussion then ensued about the possible design
alternatives for this project, how the view of the neighbors
could be protected and the effects of the step-down feature
of these lots on a 16 foot building versus the effect on a
lot at an identical level. of major concern to the Council
was whether the structure was located to minimize the view
impact. Councilman Hinchliffe moved, seconded by Councilman
Hughes that the staff meet with the applicant within the next
week and go over the issues again to see if there are any
design alternatives that might reduce the impacts identified
in the Council discussion* additionally, that an updated view
analysis be prepared and that the whole matter be brought
back to the City Council on October 4, 1988.
Council reminded the public that no further public notice
would be published on this and that the matter was being
continued to the October 4th meeting.
RECESS AND RECONVENE At 9:45 P.M. the Mayor declared
a recess. At 10-005 P.M. the
meeting reconvened.
AUDIENCE QUESTIONS. Responding to the Mayor's call
for items not on the agenda was
Lyle Quatrochi, 4002 Exultant Drive, who explained to the
Council the damage to sewer lines resulting from Canary
Island Pines in the parkway in his neighborhood. He further
explained his conversation with a representative of the Water
Company and how this is a continuing problem. Staff assured
the Council that when tree species are recommended the
problem of root invasion into pipes is considered.
HEIGHT VARIATION NOe 530 The City Manager presented the
APPEAL. (1801) September 20th staff memorandum
and the recommendation to
adopt the proposed resolution denying the appeal. Planning
Director Benard explained how the original applicant for this
addition was requested to relocate the entire structure along
the side of the existing house.
Dermot McGettigan the appellant, told the Council that he has
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just moved in to the neighborhood and that the previous
continuances were granted to the prior owner of his home as
well as himself. He requested that no side variance be
approved and requested that the structure be moved to the
north.
Associate Planner Carolynn Petru explained the results of
moving the structure to the north side and how it impacted
the view of other neighbors.
The applicant in this matter, Mr. Carl Maruya, 2066 Trudie,
explained the process that he has gone through with this
application. He said that analysis have already been
done to locate the structure elsewhere on the existing house.
Council then inquired whether a survey had been performed on
Mr. Maruya's property, whether the plot plan had been checked
to verify the location of the garage, and the impact of
changing the position of the gable on the proposed structure.
RESOLUTION No. 88 -61 DENYING THE APPEAL OF HEIGHT VARIATION
NO. 530 THEREBY APPROVING THE PROJECT AT 2066 TRUDIE DRIVE
was read by title and ADOPTED on motion of Councilman Hughes,
seconded by Councilman Hinchliffe. The motion carried on a
3 -1 vote with Councilman McTaggart abstaining.
DEVELOPMENT CODE The City Manager presented the
AMENDMENT INITIATION - September 20th staff memorandum
FENCES, WALLS AND HEDGES9 and the recommendations as
(1801) follows: (1) initiate a
Development Code Amendment to
study issues related to obstructions of views by proposed
existing solid fences, walls and hedges. (2) Direct the
Building Official to incorporate permit requirements
for free standing walls into the upcoming building code
revision.
Council briefly discussed the difference between walls and
retaining walls, the conflicting requirement of swimming pool
fences versus walls around the perimeter of property, and how
walls on terraced lots can be placed to avoid obstruction of
views. Council requested that staff provide them with copies
of ordinances from other cities dealing with these issues.
Speaking in favor of this amendment was George Fink, 32353
Searaven, who expressed his concern about the code allowing
retaining walls to be built on terraced lots. Councilman
Hinchliffe moved, seconded by Councilman McTaggart and
carried to approve the staff recommendation.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS;
LACTC ENDORSEMENT Councilman McTaggart moved,
seconded by Councilman
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Hinchliffe and carried to endorse Councilwoman Bacharach's
renomination to the LA County Transportation Commission.
SHERIFF'S RESPONSE Representing the Sheriff's
Station was Lt. Bolinger who
responded to Council inquiries about the Sheriff's response
time to an accident occurring on Palos Verdes Drive West.
Lt. Bolinger explained that two patrol cars were already
manning a injury traffic accident, three patrol cars were
booking prisoners and the one remaining car was checking out
a burglary alarm which turned out to be a false alarm.
Council requested a recording or transcript of the call in
for the accident.
SCHOOL DISTRICT SUB- A brief Council discussion took
COMMITTEE PARCEL TAX place regarding the Mayor's
letter to a Mrs. Mehta about
the School District Board's vote not to put the parcel tax on
an election. It was clarified that the Mayor's letter did
not purport to be the Council's position on this matter.
IV
CITY MANAGER REPORTS.
EXECUTIVE SESSION SCHEDULE City Manager McDuffie presented
the September 20th memorandum
and his recommendation that the
Council consider a policy of conducting executive sessions
at 6:30 P.M. prior to the start of a regular City Council
Meeting.
It was the consensus of Council to adopt such a policy.
OCTOBER CITY COUNCIL It was the consensus of Council
MEETING DATES to hold the City Manager
retreat on October 14, and 15
1988. Because of the League of California Cities' conference
would be meeting on Tuesday, October 18th, it was the
consensus that because a majority of the Council would be
attending that conference and that the City Council meeting
for that date should be cancelled.
STATUS OF COUNCIL No changes were made to the
DIRECTIVES Status report as presented in
the agenda packet.
COURT DECISIONS ON The City Manager presented the
PROPOSITION 62 September 20th staff report
I summarizing the Court of
Appeals' decision declaring Proposition 62 to be
unconstitutional*
The City Attorney summarized the appeal process that this
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decision may take. A brief discussion then followed on the
alternatives available for continuing or discontinuing the
utilities tax considering this court decision,
Finance Director Smith summarized the effects of AB90 and the
revenue that the City can expect to earn from this
legislation.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM
THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
EQUESTRIAN TRAIL EASEMENT Representing the Rancho Palos
(1201 x 701) Verdes Council of Homeowner's
was Warren Sweetnam who
inquired about the effects of this irrevocable offer of
dedication for the Equestrian Trail Easement. After
clarification of the reasons and the necessity for such an
offer Councilman Hinchliffe moved, seconded by Councilman
McTaggart and carried to adopt the staff recommendation,
RECESS TO A CLOSED SESSION At 11-445 P.M. the meeting
AND RECONVENE recessed to a closed session
for discussion of the Narbonne
Right of Way, the people versus Salmonson, and potential
litigation. On an action that the City might be considering
filing. The motion was made by Councilman Hughes, seconded
by Councilman McTaggart and carried. At 1*000 A.M. the
meeting reconvened and adjourned to 6:30 P.M. on October 4,
1988 on motion of Councilman McTaggart, seconded by
Councilman Hinchliffe and carried.
M -A,. &Y UR
ATTEST:
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